Hockey East preview/watch list: Does UMass have what it takes?

After an abbreviated 2020-21 season that saw a number of shutdowns, postponements and cancellations plague the league, Hockey East is on track to return to normal for the 2021-22 campaign.

Still, with things trending in the right direction in terms of the season’s fate, it’s shaping up to be a year unlike any other.

While the perennial titans of the league are likely to stay near the top and a select few will surprise, there are a number of question marks heading into the new season, which begins with non-conference action on Oct. 2 followed by league play on Oct. 7.

How will teams like BC bounce back after losing a slew of talent to the pros? Will reigning Hockey East and national champion UMass defend its titles? How will teams look after the NCAA added an extra year of eligibility and opened the transfer portal? Will an in-state school represent the conference at the 2022 Frozen Four (hosted at TD Garden for the first time since 2015)?

New England Hockey Journal looks at each of the 11 men's teams in Hockey East and how they are shaping up ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

Boston College

Head coach: Jerry York (28th season)
2020-21 overall record: 17-6-1 (16-4-1 HEA, No. 1)
Key returning players: Senior forward Marc McLaughlin (10-14-24), sophomore forward Nikita Nesterenko (8-11-19), senior forward Jack McBain (6-13-19), junior defenseman Drew Helleson (4-11-15), sophomore forward Trevor Kuntar (6-4-10)
Key losses: Forwards Matt Boldy (11-20-31), Mike Hardman (10-9-19), Alex Newhook (7-9-19), Logan Hutsko (5-7-11); goaltender Spencer Knight (16-4-1, 2.17 GAA, .932 save pct.)
Key additions: Forwards Jack Dempsey (Jr. Bruins, NCDC), Mike Posma (Omaha, USHL), Connor Joyce (Jr. Rangers, NCDC), Matt Argentina (Waterloo, USHL), Brandon Kruse (Bowling Green, CCHA); defensemen Aidan Hreschuk (NTDP), Cade Alami (Jersey, NCDC), Justin Wells (Bowling Green, CCHA); goaltender Eric Dop (Gr., Bowling Green, CCHA)

With its lethal first-line trio of Matt Boldy, Mike Hardman and Alex Newhook, and star goalie Spencer Knight, taking flight to the pros, the Eagles lost quite a bit of talent this offseason, but Jerry York’s (Watertown, Mass.) squad should never be looked over. Bringing in yet another wave of promising newcomers, with senior captain Marc McLaughlin leading the charge, the Eagles will be the same threatening opponent they always are. In the program’s 100th season, they will look to snap the streak of having not won the Hockey East tournament or NCAA tournament since 2012.

Boston University

Head coach: Albie O’Connell (fourth season)
2020-21 overall record: 10-5-1 (10-3-1 HEA, No. 2)
Key returning players: Junior forward Jay O’Brien (5-5-10), sophomore forward Luke Tuch (4-4-8), junior defenseman Domenick Fensore (2-5-7), senior forward Logan Cockerill (5-5-10), sophomore goaltender Drew Commesso (6-3-1, 2.99 GAA, .915 save pct.)
Key losses: Defenseman David Farrance (5-8-13)
Key additions: Forwards Tristan Amonte (Penticton, BCHL), Tyler Boucher (NTDP), Brian Carrabes (Sioux City, USHL), Matt Brown (UMass Lowell, HEA); defensemen Braden Doyle (Dubuque, USHL), Ty Gallagher (NTDP)

With a slew of veterans returning and Albie O’Connell (Watertown, Mass.) entering his fourth season at the helm, BU will be a dangerous opponent this season, one that’s on a mission to prove itself as a contender under O’Connell after its last league title came under David Quinn (Cranston, R.I.) in 2018. UMass Lowell transfer Matt Brown will add a nice spark at forward, while Domenick Fensore will look to make up for the loss of David Farrance on the back end.

UConn

Head coach: Mike Cavanaugh (ninth season)
2020-21 overall record: 10-11-2 (10-10-2 HEA, No. 4)
Key returning players: Senior forward Jonny Evans (14-15-29), senior forward Jachym Kondelik (4-18-22), sophomore forward Hudson Schandor (6-8-14), senior forward Carter Turnbull (9-4-13)
Key losses: Goaltender Tomas Vomacka (10-11-2, 2.84 GAA, .909 save pct.)
Key additions: Forwards Chase Bradley (Sioux City, USHL), Sasha Teleguine (Chilliwack, BCHL), Kevin O’Neil (Yale, ECAC); defensemen Aidan Metcalfe (Shreveport, NAHL), Jake Veilleux (Victoria, BCHL), Jarrod Gourley (ASU, Independent); goaltender Logan Terness (Trail, BCHL)

The Huskies have been on a slow ascent in Hockey East over the past three years, led primarily by returning senior forward Johnny Evans, who was top three in Hockey East for goals and points last season. The loss of Tomas Vomacka will be hard to swallow, but with the return of Evans and several other key playmakers, UConn should continue to make things difficult for the top teams in Hockey East.

Maine

Head coach: Ben Barr (first season)
2020-21 overall record: 3-11-2 (3-10-2 HEA, No. 9)
Key returning players: Senior forward Adam Dawe (5-9-14), sophomore forward Lynden Breen (3-8-11), senior defenseman Jakub Sirota (1-10-11)
Key losses: Forward Eduards Tralmaks (6-4-10); defenseman JD Greenway (2-3-5)
Key additions: Forwards Keenan Suthers (St. Lawrence, ECAC), Nolan Renwick (Omaha, USHL), Matt Fawcett (Quinnipiac, ECAC); defensemen Dominic Dockery (Merrimack, Hockey East), David Breazeale (Shreveport, NAHL)

The Black Bears ended last season with their worst finish in Hockey East since 2017. After the passing of head coach Red Gendron, Ben Barr was tabbed as head coach. While Barr has landed some solid commitments for the future, it likely will take some time for the team to find its footing under its new leadership. With five of its top six scorers returning, however, Maine certainly wins some games and makes things difficult for opponents in its always-menacing Alfond Arena. Plus, the team will be determined to show up for its new coach, who’s coming off a pair of titles out in Western Mass.

UMass

Head coach: Greg Carvel (sixth season)
2020-21 overall record: 20-5-4 (13-5-4 HEA, No. 3)
Key returning players: Senior forward Bobby Trivigno (11-23-34), sophomore forward Josh Lopina (9-14-23), junior defenseman Matt Kessel (10-13-23), senior goaltender Matt Murray (10-4-0, 1.97 GAA, .917 save pct.)
Key losses: Forwards Carson Gicewicz (17-7-24), Oliver Chau (5-22-27); defensemen Marc Del Gaizo (3-11-14), Zac Jones (9-15-24); goaltender Filip Lindberg (10-1-4, 1.24 GAA, .949 save pct.)
Key additions: Forward Lucas Mercuri (Des Moines, USHL); defensemen Scott Morrow (Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Prep), Ryan Ufko (Chicago, USHL), Taylor Makar (Brooks, AJHL), Slava Demin (Denver, NCHC)

The Minutemen have brought in a talented cast of newcomers, including four NHL draft-pick freshmen and a top transfer from Denver. After steadily taking the program to new heights over the past few seasons, Greg Carvel’s team finally reached the promised land in spring 2021. While the rest of the league will be gunning to knock off the defending champ, UMass will look to continue to stake its claim as one of the top D-1 programs in the country, and it has a good chance at running it back. 2021 NCAA tournament MVP Bobby Trivigno, who led the league in scoring last year, will be the key figure in helping the Minutemen defend their titles.

UMass Lowell

Head coach: Norm Bazin (11th season)
2020-21 overall record: 10-9-1 (7-8-1 Hockey East, No. 7)
Key returning players: Junior forward Andre Lee (7-9-16), senior forward Reid Stefanson (5-10-15)
Key losses: Forwards Matt Brown (8-5-13), Charlie Levesque (6-6-12); defenseman Chase Blackmun (6-5-11)
Key additions: Forwards Matt Crasa (Fargo, USHL), Stefan Owens (Maine Nordiques, NAHL), Ryan Brushett (Omaha, NCHC); defensemen Nick Austin (Colgate, ECAC), Isac Jonsson (Tri-City, USHL), Gabe Blanchard (Sioux City, USHL)

After an up and down regular season, the River Hawks made it as far as the Hockey East title game before being knocked off by UMass. Losing leading goal scorer Matt Brown to the transfer portal is a big loss, but they brought in several transfers of their own. With head coach Norm Bazin at the helm, UML will look to hold onto its place in the top half of Hockey East and get back to the national tournament for the first time since 2017.

Merrimack

Head coach: Scott Borek (fourth season)
2020-21 overall record: 5-11-2 (5-11-2 Hockey East, No. 8)
Key returning players: Junior forward Filip Forsmark (4-9-13), junior forward Liam Walsh (7-5-12), sophomore forward Alex Jefferies (4-6-10), junior forward Declan Carlile (2-8-10)
Key losses: Defensemen Chase Gresock (4-4-8), Patrick Holway (3-6-9)
Key additions: Forwards Matt Copponi (Dexter Southfield, Prep), Steven Jandric (Denver, NCHC); defensemen Mike Brown (Youngstown, USHL), Christian Felton (Bentley, AHA); goaltender Hugo Olias (Linkoping, SHL)

Merrimack has bettered its winning percentage and position in Hockey East each of the past three years since Scott Borek (Swampscott, Mass.) arrived. After being ruled out of last year’s league tournament due to COVID-19, the Warriors will look to take another step forward in 2021-22. With all three leading scorers returning, there is a core in place to make some significant progress from their finishes in years past.

New Hampshire

Head coach: Mike Souza (fourth season)
2020-21 overall record: 6-14-3 (5-13-3 HEA, No. 10)
Key returning players: Senior forward Jackson Pierson (9-16-25), junior defenseman Kalle Eriksson (6-12-18)
Key losses: Forwards Angus Crookshank (9-9-18), Kohei Sato (1-7-8), Patrick Grasso (7-8-15); defenseman Benton Maass (2-2-4)
Key additions: Forwards Connor Sweeney (Islanders HC, NCDC), Robert Cronin (Dubuque, USHL), Will Margel (Johnstown, NAHL), Liam Devlin (Omaha, USHL), Harrison Blaisdell (North Dakota, NCHC); defensemen Colton Huard (Chicago, USHL), Alex Gagne (Muskegon, USHL); goaltender David Fessenden (Alabama-Huntsville, WCHA)

The Wildcats have yet to produce an above-.500 season in their first three years under Mike Souza (Wakefield, Mass.). Losing their No. 2 leading scorer Angus Crookshank doesn’t help their cause of making it over the hump in 2021-22. With other leading scorers Jackson Pierson and Kalle Eriksson coming back, along with an infusion of young talent, UNH will look to build on its first win in the Hockey East tournament since 2017 after defeating Maine in last year’s opening round.

Northeastern

Head coach: Jerry Keefe (first season)
2020-21 overall record: 9-9-3 (9-8-3 HEA, No. 6)
Key returning players: Senior defenseman Jordan Harris (6-13-19), junior forward Aidan McDonough (10-10-20), sophomore forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine (6-9-15), sophomore goaltender Devon Levi (DNP due to injury), sophomore forward Dylan Jackson (5-9-14), sophomore forward Ty Jackson (7-5-12), junior defenseman Jayden Struble (2-10-12)
Key losses: Forwards Zach Solow (11-13-24), Grant Jozefek (3-12-15); defenseman Michael Kesselring (5-3-8)
Key additions: Forwards Ryan St. Louis (NTDP), Jack Hughes (NTDP), Justin Hryckowian (Sioux City, USHL), Jakov Novak (Bentley, Atlantic); defensemen Cam Gaudette (Maryland, NAHL), Tommy Miller (Michigan State, Big Ten); goaltender TJ Semptimphelter (Junior Bruins, NCDC), Evan Fear (Quinnipiac, ECAC)

The Huskies have had a lot of success in Hockey East over the past several years but have not made it past the first round of the NCAA tournament in three appearances since 2011. This season, under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Jerry Keefe (Saugus, Mass.), a talented NU roster will look to break that mold. Anchored by senior defenseman Jordan Harris (Haverhill, Mass.) and a number of talented playmakers up front, the Huskies will look to continue their consistent league play in the regular season and carry it into the postseason in 2022.

Providence

Head coach: Nate Leaman (11th season)
2020-21 overall record: 11-9-5 (10-8-5 HEA, No. 5)
Key returning players: Junior forward Parker Ford (7-12-19), junior forward Patrick Moynihan (6-9-15), sophomore forward Brett Berard (5-5-10), senior defenseman Michael Callahan (3-11-14), fifth-year defenseman Ben Mirages (1-11-12), junior goaltender Jaxson Stauber (11-7-5, 2.24 GAA, .916 save pct.)
Key losses: Forwards Tyce Thompson (11-14-25), Greg Printz (6-9-15)
Key additions: Forwards Tomas Mazura (HIFK U-20), Riley Duran (Youngstown, USHL), Michael Citara (Sioux Falls, USHL), Cody Monds (Fargo, USHL), Kohen Olischefski (Denver, NCHC), Alex Esposito (Vermont, HEA); defensemen Guillaume Richard (Tri-City, USHL), Will Schimek (Sioux Falls, USHL); goaltender Austin Cain (Western Michigan, NCHC)

The Friars didn’t qualify for the NCAA tournament last season for the first time since 2013. It was a bit of a transition year, but the team is poised for a big season in 2021-22. The Nate Leaman-led group is always well-coached and has a lot of players who are ready to break out. The loss of Tyce Thompson hurts, but the door is now open for rising juniors like Parker Ford (Wakefield, R.I.) and Patrick Moynihan (Millis, Mass.) to take on more impactful roles as leaders up front. A majority of the defense is coming back and the Friars did well in the transfer portal, too, so it’s hard to expect a down season at PC.

Vermont

Head coach: Todd Woodcroft (second season)
2020-21 overall record: 1-10-2 (1-9-2 HEA, No. 11)
Key returning players: Sophomore forward Ray Vitolins (1-5-6), junior defenseman Andrew Lucas (1-3-4), graduate goalie Tyler Harmon (1-5-2, 3.37 GAA, .905)
Key losses: Forwards Alex Esposito (1-2-3); defensemen Christian Evers (4-3-7)
Key additions: Forwards Philip Lagunov (UMass, HEA); defensemen Robbie Stucker (Minnesota St., CCHA), Will Riedell (Lake Superior St., CCHA), Cory Babichuk (RPI, ECAC), Joe Leahy (Cornell, ECAC)

The Catamounts finished the team’s first season under Todd Woodcroft with the worst record in Hockey East and lost a lot of players because of it. While it won’t be an immediate turnaround, Woodcroft is still in the process of making the team his own, and UVM should win more games this season than last. In addition to a number of transfers, the team has brought in former Catamount and three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Sharp to join the staff in an advisory role, which should also help push the team in the right direction.

NEHJ’s preseason rankings:

1. UMass
2. Northeastern
3. Boston University
4. Providence
5. Boston College
6. UMass Lowell
7. UConn
8. Merrimack
9. UNH
10. Maine
11. Vermont