The season hasn’t even started yet, but UMass Lowell already has picked up a huge win with the announcement that Owen Savory will join the team for the second semester.
Savory played his first two collegiate seasons at RPI, but the ECAC Hockey school announced it was canceling its 2020-21 season earlier this week. Savory previously had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, likely signifying that he knew of the impending cancellation.
Savory was one of the best goalies in the country down the stretch of the 2019-20 season. In 24 games as a sophomore for the Engineers, he posted a .932 save percentage. His play earned him recognition as an ECAC Hockey second-team All-Star. As a freshman in 2018-19, the Cambridge, Ont., native had a .926 save percentage while being named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team.
Savory will make the River Hawks better. Norm Bazin’s team is looking to replace Tyler Wall, a four-year starter who signed with the New York Rangers following the conclusion of last season. Winnipeg Jets prospect Logan Neaton, a sophomore, and freshman Henry Welsch are the other goaltenders expected to battle for the starting role in Lowell.
Dartmouth lands USHL goaltender
Dartmouth received a commitment from Omaha Lancers goaltender Cooper Black on Wednesday evening. The ’01 from Alpena, Mich., has seen his stock rise exponentially over the past year.
He spent 2017-18 and 2018-19 playing high school hockey in Michigan before making the move to the North American Hockey League with the Maryland Black Bears. In 19 games, he had a .916 save percentage.
Black, a monster in the crease at 6-foot-7, is expected to serve as the backup to Ohio State commit and Montreal Canadiens draft pick Jakub Dobes. Black didn’t play in the only game Omaha has played to date this season.
Nicky Niemo to Bentley
Bentley wasted no time in securing a commitment from Nicky Niemo after his hot start to the 2020-21 season. The Falcons’ newest commit is a 2001-born forward from Middlebury, Vt.
In six games with the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas, Niemo has five goals and five assists. Niemo spent the previous three seasons in the Islanders Hockey Club organization. In 2019-20, he scored 20 goals and 30 assists in 48 games in the NCDC.
Niemo is a smaller forward, but is quick and crafty and has some skill. He had a hat trick in an impressive performance at the 2020 USPHL All-Star Game.
Sacred Heart commits Gunnery alum
Salmon Arm Silverbacks captain Hunter Sansbury has committed to Sacred Heart. The ’00 from Lomita, Calif., is entering his second season with the BCHL franchise after three years at Gunnery.
A mobile, puck-moving defenseman, Sansbury had three goals and 22 assists in 58 games last season, his first in junior hockey. He had 17 and 16 points, respectively, in his final two seasons of prep hockey for Craig Badger’s program. Sansbury played youth hockey for the Los Angeles Junior Kings.
NCAA recruiting dead period extended
To the dismay of all Division 1 college hockey coaches, the NCAA extended the recruiting dead period for all sports through April 15, 2021.
This decision is detrimental for many reasons, including that it will prevent uncommitted junior hockey age-outs from being viewed live. It also keeps college hockey coaches on the road and doesn’t allow official visits on campus. Both are key aspects of the recruiting process.
