UMass has received commitments from Ivy League players who will compete for the Hockey East program in 2021-22 as graduate transfers. Dartmouth center Matt Baker and Cornell right wing Cam Donaldson will join the Minutemen for the 2021-22 season. Baker, a ’97 center from Midhurst, Ontario, will give UMass another solid option down the middle...
UMass has received commitments from Ivy League players who will compete for the Hockey East program in 2021-22 as graduate transfers.
Dartmouth center Matt Baker and Cornell right wing Cam Donaldson will join the Minutemen for the 2021-22 season.
Baker, a ’97 center from Midhurst, Ontario, will give UMass another solid option down the middle of the lineup. Baker skates well, plays hard and has skill.
In 31 games with the Big Green during the 2019-20 season, Baker tallied six goals and 18 assists for 24 points. He concludes his Dartmouth career with 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points.
Donaldson comes to UMass after three seasons with the Big Red. The ’98 had five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 25 games as a junior in 2019-20. His best college season came as a sophomore, when he compiled 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 34 games.
The Pittsboro, N.C., native played prep school hockey at Gunnery. He will provide a skilled option on the second or third line.
UMass has had success with transfers in recent years, including this season with Carson Gicewicz from St. Lawrence. He is tied for second on the team in scoring with three goals and three assists. Another former Saint, Jacob Pritchard, had a monster season for UMass in 2018-19, putting up 47 points.
The rumor mill is spinning with potential landing spots for other graduate transfers from Ivy League schools that have shut down their 2020-21 campaigns. One of the most coveted players is Cornell goaltender Matthew Galajda.
The coming months are sure to be entertaining with the NCAA allowing a one-time transfer waiver and a fifth year of eligibility for players due to the coronavirus. With the NCAA dead period prolonged until April 15, 2021, the waters could be murky for older players in junior hockey who are still looking for a home for 2021-22.
