Aug. 11, 2009

UMass Lowell hockey head coach Blaise MacDonald announced the incoming recruiting class for the 2009-10 season on Monday. Forwards Joe Caveney (Fitchburg, Mass.), Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.), Robert Visca (Everett, Ont.) and defenseman Colin Wright (Burlington, Ont.) will all skate with the River Hawks this winter.

The foursome will join a UMass Lowell program fresh off its first trip to the Hockey East Finals since 1994. The team skated to a 20-16-2 record; with the fifth seeded River Hawks catching fire in the conference playoffs to upset both No. 4 Vermont and No. 2 Northeastern. The program ultimately fell 1-0 to the eventual NCAA National Champion, Boston University, in the highly contested finals matchup.

UMass Lowell graduated just three players, all forwards, in Nick Monroe (Groton, Mass.), Mike Potacco (Kinnelon, N.J.) and Mark Roebothan (St. John's, Nfld.). The River Hawks will return 25 veteran players, including the program's first All-American since 2001, defenseman Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alta.).

"Our assistants have done a really good job recruiting, bringing in the type of talent that is successful within our system, structure and culture," said MacDonald. "We think this group is just as good as the last couple of classes we've had in here, they all compliment the way we play. Most importantly we've got guys in this class that are very dedicated, very committed and really display a great passion for the game - rink rats, if you will."

Wetmore (6'0, 195) headlines the class after two fantastic seasons with the Green Mountain Glades of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL). Wetmore tallied 75 points on 33 goals and 42 assists in 2008-09, after notching 50 points on 18 scores and 32 assists in 2007-08.

"Riley is a very dedicated player who had a terrific career in the Eastern Junior League," MacDonald said. "He's a very dependable and honest player with good skills."

Wright (6'0, 195), the lone defenseman, is another terrific offensive player joining the River Hawks. Wright tossed 11 shots into the net and collected 39 assists to amass 50 points last season as captain of the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL). In 2007-08, Wright tallied 42 points on 16 goals and 26 assists.

"Colin has played forward most of his career and has played just two years on defense," said MacDonald. "He has put up very good offensive numbers from that position. He's a good skater with real good awareness on the ice. He'll have to work hard to make the transition from playing defense in the Ontario Provincial League to playing that in Hockey East."

UMass Lowell will add more firepower in Visca (5-10, 170), a high scoring forward from the Orangeville Crushers of the OPJHL. In 2007-08, Visca netted 28 goals and 16 assists for 44 points. Then, in just 26 games, Visca followed with 16 goals and 16 assists for 33 points this past season.

"Robert has a great set of tools, can really shoot the puck, has a very heavy hard shot, and skates well," said MacDonald. "We think he has the potential to be a real big time player."

Caveney (6-0, 188) saw his season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) cut short due to an injury. Caveney scored a goal with four assists for five points in 14 games. Injury aside, the forward has shown he possess top level talent, claiming EJHL All-Star Game MVP honors in 2008 and Second Team All-EJHL in 2008.

"We think Joe has a lot of talent and a great future ahead of him," MacDonald said. "It's going to be interesting to see how he responds to a pretty significant injury last year that sidelined him for most of the season, but we think he definitely fits the role, the type of a successful Lowell player."

The River Hawks open the season at the University of Nebraska Omaha Ice Breaker Tournament against St. Lawrence on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. The freshmen will make their home debut on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. when UMass Lowell hosts Colgate at the Tsongas Arena. Season tickets are available for purchase by clicking here or by calling Scott Donnelly at (978) 934-4988.