The 2015 Hockey Issue - River Hawk season preview - History of hockey in Lowell - Fight song analysis - UMass Lowell pep band - Roster and schedule
THE UMASS LOWELL
Serving the Student Body Since 1976
October 6, 2015
River Hawks prepared for successful season
In This Issue
Kyle Gaudette
Best River Hawk jerseys
Connector Editor
â–ş Page 8
Hockey alumni update
â–ş Page 10 Weirdest NHL personalities
â–ş Page 12
Final River Hawk Scores Team
Score
Overall Record
Field Hockey at Vermont
L 2-3
5-6
Volleyball vs. Stony Brook
L 0-3
3-15
M. Soccer vs. New Hampshire
L 1-3 5-5-0
Volleyball vs. UMBC
L 1-3
3-14
Who was Paul Tsongas? Taylor Carito Connector Contributor
The Tsongas Center is home to the UMass Lowell River Hawks, where the Division I hockey team impresses throusands of cheering fans each year. While many of the current student population were growing up in the ‘90s, the namesake of this building was living out the last years of his life. Paul E. Tsongas was born on Feb. 14, 1941 in Lowell, Mass. to a Greek immigrant father and Massachusetts-native mother. His childhood was spent working in his father’s local dry cleaning business during the economic decline in Lowell as a result of the lessening use of industrial textile mills. He attended Lowell public schools growing up and worked at his father’s business all through college. In his later years of college, Tsongas was heavily influenced by President John F. Kennedy. It was his influence that, in 1963, inspired Tsongas to join the Peace Corps. After four years in the Peace Corps, including three years as a teacher in Ethiopia and one year as a training coordinator in the West Indies, he returned to the United States and attended Yale Law School in 1967. Once he â–ş See “Tsongas,â€? page 3
Sections News.............................3 Campus Life........... 5, 8-9 A&E.............................. 4 Sports..........................10
An excruciatingly long offseason has left fans of NCAA hockey hungry for America’s game to return. Ok, so maybe hockey is not considered “America’s game,â€? but around the hallways and dorm rooms of UMass Lowell, hockey remains king. With the 2015 season set to get underway on Friday, the River Hawks are poised to continue the team’s historic run. “We look to get better every single day,â€? said head coach Norm Bazin. “We want to focus on making our team the best possible that it can be.â€? Coach Bazin is entering his fifth year as UML head coach and has compiled quite the rĂŠsumĂŠ in that short period of time. Under Bazin, the River
Hawks have competed in, and won two of, the past three Hockey East championship games. Bazin also led the 2012 team to the NCAA Frozen Four in Pittsburgh in what was only his second
year as coach. The River Hawks, however, failed to reach the NCAA tournament last season, ending the 2014 campaign with a tough loss to rival Boston University in the Hockey East championship. As the River Hawks
looks to avenge how last season ended, they will face a gauntlet of talented Hockey East opponents. Defending NCAA champions Providence Friars bring back a wor-
thy squad, while perennial powerhouses Boston College and Boston University have retooled for their respective seasons. The River Hawks have added their fair share of new faces: freshman forwards Connor Wilson and Nick Master will
look to add more explosiveness to an already potent River Hawks offense. The team also welcomed in two freshman goalies, Sean Cleary and Christoffer Hernberg, to back up senior shot-stopper Kevin Boyle. “There are eight freshmen and seven seniors, so that’s a nice balance between old guys and new guys,â€? said Bazin on his freshman talent. “We’re going to have to let a couple games play out before we realize what kind of impact they can have right away, but so far I like their work ethic, and I like their attention to detail.â€? The freshmen will certainly have their share of older talent to learn from. CJ Smith led the team with 16 goals and 35 total points as a freshman â–ş See “Preview,â€? page 8
What to wear: Hockey games Alexia Morton Connector Contributor
Fall is the season of changing leaves, cooler weather and pumpkin spice lattes. Most importantly, though, it is the beginning of hockey season. On Oct. 7 the NHL will officially begin their 2015-2016 season, marking season 98 of play. Whether you find yourself cheering on the Boston Bruins or the UMass Lowell River Hawks, you will want your look to be comfortable, spirited and fashionable. Hockey gaes are a great opportunity to cheer on your favorite team and spend time with friends; they are as much of a social event as they are a sporting event. Because of this, many people want to look
their best while still being comfortable and appropriately dressed for the occasion. Follow these do’s and do not’s to create a look that combines both fashion and team spirit and avoid receiving a penalty for a fashion faux pas.
particular game, wearing apparel for a team that is not playing looks out of place. If you do choose to wear another team’s apparel, do not wear apparel from an entirely different sport. Nothing says, “I don’t know where I am or who I’m rooting for,� like wearing a Red Sox jersey to a hockey game.
Sports Apparel Do: While team jerseys are a staple for a hockey-ready look, they are not the only option when it comes to sports apparel. Try a vintage sweater that features the team’s original mascot and throw on your favorite pair of jeans for an effortless and fashionable look that shows off your team pride. Do not: While your favorite team may not be playing in that
â–ş See “Fashion,â€? page 8
October 6, 2015
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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS ‘River Hawk Pride’: Fight song analysis Ben St. Pierre UML Student
River Hawk Pride UMass Lowell we will always be, a team of strength in unity. With River Hawk pride, we stand side by side, and fight for victory. Our wings unfurled and talons curled, we swoop and strike then we score! When Blue sets sail, in flight we won’t fail. Let’s go UMass Lowell and soar! To those who are unfamiliar with fine art, this is the triumphant fight song of our university, to be chanted loudly and proudly by every student and faculty member alike. It is a song
of power and courage; of unity and success. It reminds us all that we are not merely attendees of UMass Lowell, but valiant, blue River Hawks, and when we band together, our blueness blends with the cerulean expanse of the cool sky, and we can fly on forever, accomplishing all that we wish as we soar. Now, I know what you’re thinking: when such a beautiful piece of poetry exists, and is so widely known among our students, why is it that we are not taught about it in the classroom? Why do we devote our time to boring, irrelevant, canonical novels instead of literature that so heavily impacts our school spirit? Being a River Hawk, I won’t stop at just identifying this problem: I’m going to take matters in my own hands, and resolve it, and not run away from
THE UMASS LOWELL
Serving the Student Body Since 1976
UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR
EDITORIAL BOARD MARLON PITTER Editor-In-Chief REGINA ALONGI Operations Manager KATRINA DESROSIERS Copy Editor NINA PETROPOULOS Web Manager MICHAELA HYDE ZACHARY ZUBER Social Media Managers EVANTHIA TULLY Photo Editor KELLY FREITAS JENNA FREITAS LISETTE PEĂ‘A Graphic Designers ARI LAZARINE Advertising Manager JESSIE PASKIEWICZ SUSAN LAM Distribution Managers
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MELANIE CASE HENRY ST. PIERRE BENJAMIN ST. PIERRE
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River Hawks; we aren’t just students. We’re creatures who can fly and find strength in its purest form through togetherness, and not isolation. We are better off, as a whole, as just that: as a whole, and not as individual students occupying one large space. Instead, to be able to soar, we all have to soar, and we all have to do so by feeding off all River Hawks’ strength, and the shared knowledge from which we nourish. I hope that my analysis of our fight song not only displays the deep unity we all feel for each other as River Hawks, but also, that we all reconsider what exactly it means to be a good student. I hope when you religiously recite the fight song when you wake up in the morning, you see Rowdy in your mind, and feel him in your heart, and you know that he is omnipresent in every other River Hawk’s mind and heart as well. We are all strong, and we are all individually even stronger when we’re all strong as a whole, and our own flight is not always possible unless you know that other Hawks possess the ability to soar.
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Staff GEORGE DELUCA MICHAEL PAIGE COLE FITZGERALD EMILY TOOMEY
it, but fly fiercely, after tearing the competition to pieces. So, let’s break this precious gem down. The overall structure is very bold and irregular to convention: eleven lines, with a couplet followed by a tercet, then another couplet followed by a final tercet. This creates a rushing, rippling effect for the reader; like a wave that surfaces, roars upward, recedes, then roars upwards for a last time with its greatest possible intensity. This purpose is evident within the poem’s last line: “Let’s go UMass Lowell and soar!� The speaker clearly wants us to be influenced into flying off, and the optimistic tone removes any hesitation of being unwilling to soar. In terms of theme, as I have previously stated, the speaker is saying that the collective flight of all River Hawks is the most essential part of what it means to be a student here. With words like “strength,� “unity,� “pride,� “victory,� and “soar,� the speaker clearly focuses not on the readers as people bound by an inability to fly, but as
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Correction notice: Last week’s issue featured an article that stated Disable the Label sponsored the event “Color Me Beatuiful.� While Disable the Label co-sponsored and helped carry out the event, No One Left Behind was the main sponsor of the event. We apologize to all clubs invovled in putting on the event and will ensure the utmost accuracy in future coverage.
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October 6, 2015
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NEWS The life and accomplishments of Paul Tsongas ►Continued from front page
graduated from there, he returned to Lowell in attempt to help out the local economy and better the town altogether. He was elected into the Lowell City Council in 1969, which allowed him to put his plans for the City of Lowell into action. After four years of serving on the city council, he was then elected as the Middlesex County Commissioner. Two years into this position, Tsongas was elected into the House of Representatives for a four year term. His service in the House led to his election into the Senate in 1979. Tsongas had plans to run for a second term as Senator in 1983, but was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After his diagnosis he decided to take time away from politics to focus on his health. In 1986, after a bone-marrow transplant, Tsongas was deemed cancer free. With a newfound pride and ambition, Tsongas announced that he would run in the 1992 presidential election. He was quite popular in the race, especially in states such as New Hampshire. He was the “only candidate in
the 1992 Democratic Presidential campaign to offer painful solutions to the nation’s economic problems,” according to Karen De Witt from New York Times. Unfortunately, due to lack of financial support, Tsongas had to pull out of the race, allowing Bill Clinton to step in as the leader of the Democratic Party. Tsongas’ loss in the presidencial race did not stop him from being active in his hometown, where he returned to continue reconstruction and restoration. He helped revive the Lowell Plan, which was proposed back in 1979, and put it into action. The plan was set in place to urbanize downtown Lowell and preserve old textile mills which still contines today. Tsongas also cofounded, along with former New Hampshire Senator Warren Rudman, the Concord Coalition. At the start, it had over 200,000 members and still remains active today advocating for a balanced federal budget and a responsible fiscal policy. In May of 1996, Tsongas was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia, a condition than can occur in people who have had lymph cancer. To cure this,
Courtesy of UML Libraries
Paul Tsongas ran for POTUS in 1992 but lost to Bill Clinton in the primaries
he needed another bone marrow transplant; the donor for this was his twin sister, Thaleia Schlesinger. Despite everyone’s best efforts, Tsongas was hospitalized on Jan. 3, 1997 with liver failure. His condition
Industry, immigrants, and Canada A history of hockey in Lowell Jessie Paskiewicz Connector Staff
Like any good story out of Lowell, it started with some French Canadians. But we are not talking about just any story – we are talking about the history of hockey in Lowell. In honor of yet another season, it is time we take a collective look back and learn how the sport became UMass Lowell’s favorite current-time. Although there are many sources linking hockey-like sports to multiple eras and locations, ice hockey as we know it emerged in Eastern Canada in the early 1800s. James Creighton, a Halifax, Nova Scotia-born engineer, lawyer, journalist, and hockey enthusiast, is most often credited as the founder of organized ice hockey. He formed the first recorded ice hockey game in 1877 in Montreal and published the game’s first official guidelines, known as the ”Halifax Rules,” that same year. During this time, overpopulation and a lack of resources drove French Canadians into farming towns and industrial cities throughout Quebec and western Canada, as well as the United States. From the mid-19th century up until the 1930s, many Canadian migrants settled throughout the West and Midwestern States, with the highest
concentration settling in New England industrial cities, including Lowell. While the industrial boom in these cities attracted migrants, the harsh winters and proximity to rivers allowed hockey to flourish. As industry and population grew exponentially, the need for schools began to emerge. In 1883, The Lowell Normal School was created as a teacher training Courtesy photo school for women. The school and student body quickly grew, later adopting nursing and music The Lowell Lock Monsters rebranded as the Lowell Red Devils in 2010. degrees to their course offerings. In addition to academic training, there was also a need for industrilege hockey within a short period of al schools, and The Lowell Textile In- time. stitute was soon established along the We only need to look at hockey’s Merrimack River. The two institutions past to consider its future in Lowell. later merged in the 1950s and became This city is continually influenced The Lowell State College, which we and shaped by the people that pass now know today as UMass Lowell. through its streets and the sport has Despite their parallel evolutions, carried on in that same tradition. As hockey did not come to Lowell until the puck drops and the season begins, 1998 when the Tsongas Center was students will find themselves woven established. The facility became home into the fabric of a community that to the UMass Lowell’s first hockey continues to embrace diversity and team, The Lowell Lock Monsters, change game after game. which was later rebranded as The Lowell Red Devils and in 2010, The River Hawks. With nearly 20 alumni that have gone on to play professional hockey, UMass Lowell has quickly become a notable force in Eastern col-
resulted in a contraction of pneumonia which ultimately led to his passing on Jan. 18, 1997. He was just 55 years old. In those 55 years, Tsongas grew up in a town with a declining economy, worked his way through college, traveled to less fortunate countries with the Peace Corps, went back to his hometown to make a difference, tried to make changes for more towns as a commissioner, then tried to make improvements for the country in the House of Representatives and the Senate, fought cancer and won, ran for president, and in the end returned to the now beautiful city of Lowell. There were three things Tsongas wanted to be defined by: working as a young man in his father’s dry-cleaning business in the economically depressed city of Lowell, Mass., serving in the Peace Corps and contracting cancer that interrupted his political career in 1983. He said the first made him aware of economic hardships, the second brought him a joy in public service that led to a political career, and the third tempered what he referred to as “an overriding ambition.” Tsongas did not want to be defined by his political achievements, but rather by his victories and efforts to help those in need and restore underdog cities such as Lowell. For a man who put so much into this city, why would we not name our stadium after him?
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October 6, 2015
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Five movies to get you ready for puck drop Bill Hart Connector Contributor
Gary Newman plays struggling player-coach, Reggie Dunlop, in the 1977 cult classic, “Slap Shot.” The film follows the Charlestown Chiefs, a low-level minor league hockey franchise from an imaginary city in the rust belt. When it is announced that the mill that employs 10,000 people in the city is shutting down in the spring, the poorly-performing team seems all but doomed. In a last-ditch effort to try and get another city to buy franchise, Dunlop chooses to ditch the traditional hockey tactics of Eddie Shore and Maurice Richard in favor of the hard-hitting and extremely violent play that lower-level hockey teams of the ‘70s were notorious for. The team’s play turns barbaric after the arrival of the empty-headed Hanson brothers, whose iconic Coke bottle glasses and idiotic demeanor are revered in hockey pop-culture. Only leading scorer, Ned Braden, refuses to become a goon as attendance soars and the Chiefs start winning games by beating their opponents to a pulp. Braden later makes up for his lack of physical aggression by creating one of the greatest endings in sports movie history. The story of the gold medal-winning 1980 U.S. Hockey Team is portrayed in the 2004 instant-classic, “Miracle.” During a time when Olympians had to retain amateur status in order to compete, University of Minnesota head coach, Herb Brooks, was tasked with creating a team of college hockey players that could hold their own against virtual profession-
als from the Communist bloc so the United States would not get embarrassed on their own ice in Lake Placid, New York. The team was comprised mostly of kids from Boston and Minnesota and was captained by Winthrop native, Mike Eruzione. The film captures “The Miracle on Ice,” which many people see as the greatest moment in the history of sports. The film does a fantastic job of capturing the tension around a U.S. and Soviet matchup at a particularly turbulent time during The Cold War. Brooks’ “Legs Feed the Wolf ” speech is arguably the best in film history and is made all the more important by the fact that Brooks passed away shortly after production ended. “The Mighty Ducks” brings viewers back to a time when Disney was not afraid to throw in a little adult content and language. The year is 1992 and big
Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Alexa Hyde Talented athletes, a winning team, a sea of red and blue, overpriced stadium food, face-painted and cheering students, and a giant River Hawk are all characteristic of UMass Lowell’s home hockey games. Oh, and an enthusiastic jazz rock big band. The jazz rock big band, or hockey pep band as it is also known as, is directed by Dan Lutz and Deb Huber and provides UMass Lowell home games with an extra element as their songs, which are anything from jazz to rock, blues to funk, and even a little fusion, add to the already buzzing atmosphere of the games. The audition based band, which is open to all majors, practices once a week, for about two hours, as it perfects the music it will perform to frequently sold out hockey crowds. Its past performances have included notable numbers, such as the ska-swing song “Zoot Suit Riot” and jazz big band piece “Groovin’ Hard.” Other components of its rep-
ter of minutes, Bombay blew out his knee playing minor league hockey and was ready to coach again. With the help of a hefty corporate deal, he was made head coach of the U.S. National Team for the Junior Goodwill Games and was rounding up old Ducks left and right. A few new players from all over the country are introduced to the squad, but they end up meshing with the Ducks pretty well. The jokes hit and the plot is about as predictable as its predecessor’s, but it is really Kenan Thompson and his storied knuckle puck that make this movie worth watching. “Though The Rocket” should probably be the fifth film on this list; it has a clinical lack of a trained chimpanzee that can play ice hockey so the last spot has to be given up to the 2000 classic, “MVP: Most Valuable Primate.” The people responsible for bringing the world “Air Bud” take credit for a plot that lacks actual meaning, but is packed with tons of fun and goofy antics. Though rated very poorly by critics, there is a lot to like about Jack, a specially trained monkey that can understand sign language and therefore communicate with the deaf sister of a junior hockey player that found him hiding out in a treehouse, after he was mistakenly shipped to Alaska. This movie’s flawless plot and abundance of cartoonish sound-effects make it a must-watch for people that just love to throw on the pads and slip over banana peels in the neutral zone.
The team celebrating in the classic hockey movie, “The Mighty Ducks.”
Hawk-y pep band Connector Contributor
shot lawyer, Gordon Bombay, gets pulled over for a DUI after being scolded by his boss, Mr. Ducksworth. The former youth hockey star is forced to do mandatory community service in the form of coaching the worst and most ill-equipped hockey team in the state of Minnesota. After some self-discovery, teambuilding and a little corporate sponsorship, the Ducks are born. Though kid-friendly during the kissing scenes, “The Mighty Ducks” is a really solid hockey movie and underdog story. As Disney was preparing to enter its first season of ownership of their NHL expansion team, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, they released a sequel called “D2: The Mighty Ducks.” During the beginning of the movie, Disney had to fix some major plot holes to make its second idea for a premise believable, but in a mat-
ertoire include numbers by Bill Chase, Miles Davis and Tower of Power. The band’s big brass sound, characteristic of jazz and blues songs, adds to the energy of the students, who cheer loudly from the student section. The saxophone section, reflected in the funk and ska pieces the band performs, adds a mellow vibe to the energetic brass section and the rhythmic force of the percussionists, which drive the tempo of the group and encourage the spectators. The band’s powerful and spunky sound has quickly become a staple of and the soundtrack for UMass Lowell’s hockey games. The band has received praise from around the state, from sports writers and University officials, other pep bands and alumni alike. The pep band can be found performing at local festivals, UMass Lowell concerts and state finals and championships of the area in addition to its contributions to UMass Lowell’s hockey games. At the games, the band can be found jamming out to their own tunes and the UMass Lowell “Fight Song,” performing great jazz pieces, encouraging the energy of the stadium, especially the student section, and sporting some sweet UMass Lowell hockey jerseys. Sometimes they hang out with Rowdy, too.
Courtesy of UMass Lowell
The River Hawk pep band rehearsing in Costello.
Changing the dial: Hockey intro songs Michael Paige Connector Staff
Typically what makes a good introduction song, at least when it concerns a college team, is something one would consider upbeat, contain memorable lyrics and leave patrons with the need to hear it once more. Therefore, the genres are narrowed down to two distinct types that meet this criteria: electronic dance music (EDM) and rock. For electronic, these three songs could be used as an introduction:
dience members to bob their heads to the beat of the song. The three EDM songs listed provide all of these characteristics: each of their build ups are unique and will definitely keep the audience guessing as to what will come next from each of these songs. When looking into what makes a classic rock song great for introductions, one must look into its basic components. When a song starts with a hard hitting guitar solo followed by heavy drums to back it up, like both “Enter Sandman” and “Thun-
Courtesy of UMass Lowell
River Hawk fans cheering the team on in the Tsongas Center.
1.) “Rombo (Featuring Congorock)” by The Bloody Beetroots 2.) “& Down” by Boys Noize 3.) “Genesis” by Justice And for rock: 1.) “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC 2.) “Enter Sandman” by Metallica 3.) “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne Any good electronic song always has a build up as well as a drop in the beat, not to mention a great bassline that urges au-
derstruck,” listeners are instantly nodding their heads, fully in time with the tracks. Songs like “Crazy Train” bring in the additional element of bass solos, which, much like the basslines found in EDM, get the whole body moving. Aaron Wilson contributed to this article.
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October 6, 2015
CAMPUS LIFE
Lights, camera, puck drop
How to get on the video board at UMass Lowell hockey games Marlon Pitter Connector Editor
a fake penguin to games for the kiss cam, a male student who held a sign that read “friend zoned” and a girl who held up a Simba toy a few games after the Simba cam premiered at home games. Props are useful but not always necessary to make it on screen. Jewart recalls when a fraternity member in the student section emphatically pounded
Fans who go to games and simply be themselves can find appearing on the video board a little easier than most this year, and Fahmina Zaman embodies self-confidence inside and out of the Tsongas Center. A second year graduate student majoring in peace and conflict resolution, Zaman said she started appearing on the video board during her
“and so the more people that went to the games, the more lively it was…” As a fellow fan, Zaman identified with and admired other fans who were often on display above the ice during games being themselves. Her favorite fans to look up at are older couples on the kiss cam, fans that dress up and a student that regularly brought a large makeshift “easy” button and put it on the glass, she said. Set to graduate at the end of the fall semester, Zaman said she will miss the energy of the student section but will purchase season tickets to continue attending games.
One passionate UMass Lowell student pounded his chest in excitement during a hockey game in the 2013-14 season and landed himself on ESPN’s NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament Selection Show at the end of the year. He showed the right combination of energy, personality and creativity and made it on the Tsongas Center video board—in his case, a stepping stone to a national stage. For the Tsongas Center audio/visual team, they say they are looking for people who display those Get into the game qualities at a high level to To students who want to put on the video board appear on the video board above the ice and pump during hockey games this up the rest of the crowd. season, Jewart simply said The Tsongas Center students should go to games would not be as lively to have fun. While there as it is without students are passionate fans at each attending games, which game, Jewart said he noAthletic Department Astices students who are not sistant Director for Marinto the action, which does keting and Promotions not provide an atmosphere Kristen Calvetti said is conducive to a positive fan the main mission of the experience. athletic marketing de“It’s a lot easier to choose partment. from 20 different people Courtesy of The Eagle Tribune Calvetti said the video having fun or 1,000 differFans at UMass Lowell think of many creative strategies to get on the jumbotron. board “definitely adds to ent people having fun than the overall fan experience,” something his chest for the camera, footage that sophomore year in 2011-12. During 6 to 10 people on their cell phones,” that keeps students coming back for made it to the world’s largest sports that year, she wore a Superwoman he said. each game. “It gets the fans fired up, network for a college hockey special costume to games but credits her outJewart said, on the other hand, that broadcast. going personality as an additional atwhich, in return, only helps us,” she Zaman is one of many fans whose “I saw the kid the year after, and tribute to her exposure in the arena. said. regular appearances are not a matter I told him he was on ESPN, and he The hockey team also rebounded of coincidence but a result of their enDraw attention Creating the next big “look at me” didn’t even realize it,” said Jewart. “I from a five-win season in 2010-11, ergy in the arena. “You’ll see that she’s on the board moment is likely to land you a spot on pulled the opening clip, and there he and the aura of the student section a lot,” he said. “Why? Because she’s the video board. Tsongas Center Di- was; he was just pounding his chest followed shortly thereafter, she said. “A lot more people started going to not sitting there on her phone or she’s rector of Audio Visual Services Ben with his UMass Lowell sweater going the games because they noticed that not sitting there acting like she’s havJewart said some of last year’s “best nuts.” we were winning more,” she said, ing fun.” stuff ” included students who brought Be yourself
Flying the River Hawk flag Jacob Boucher Connector Contributor
. hile having a having a DiW vision I team is the best a university could hope for, what good would top-tier sports do them without loyal fans? UMass Lowell has some of the most devoted, committed fans around, especially at ice hockey games. Some fans go one step further, though, in their pursuit of celebration, and for that they deserve some recognition. In the spotlight this week are three individuals: Tyler Farley, Greg Dorian, and Dave Caizzi. Tyler Farley and Greg Dorian share the title of flag-bearer at each ice hockey game. The giant flag at
hockey games is waved at the beginning of each period and after each River Hawk goal. At UMass Lowell, there is a tradition in which the former flag-bearers, graduating that year, pass down to a choice freshman or to the official flag and the responsibilities that go along with it. Farley and Dorian were the two recipients last year, inheriting the duty. Its previous owner was Kelsey Harper, former Assistant Resident Director at Leitch Hall. The flag remains in the Tsongas Center, waiting for the two to claim it, and then they bring it into the stands. In an interview, Farley said, “When we scored, you know we scored, because you
can see me waving the flag.” Both of these people are incredibly happy to have this responsibility and fulfill this duty for the UMass Lowell River Hawks community. A newer addition to the River Hawks fan community is the so-called “Penguin guy.” He also goes by Dave Caizzi. “I’m a big hockey guy,” he said, “I have a plastic penguin that I like to bring. That kind of happened randomly.” The Penguin, officially dubbed “Poseidon the Party Penguin,” makes an appearance at almost every River Hawk game, and whether it is Simba Cam or Kiss Cam, you can usually see Poseidon and Dave up on the Jumbo
Tron. His origin story is nothing spectacular; Poseidon was bought at Newbury Comics and the shirt in the baby section of the River Hawk Shop. “It’s more than paid off for itself,” Caizzi says. “It was a good buy.” At first he was hesitant to bring the plastic penguin to a hockey game, but he decided to and it obviously paid off. Poseidon is now so popular he makes an appearance not just during the game but before in the River Hawks hype video. No one entirely knows why Poseidon has gotten so big, nor why his rise was meteoric, but very few people would have it any other way. While Dave loves the penguin, and
would never give up bringing it to the games, he also feels a little “type-cast.” In interview, he said, “I’m just a little disappointed that when people see me they’re like ‘Oh, there’s the penguin guy,’ and it’s like, ‘My name’s Dave’… I’m glad everyone loves him though.” When asked what this year holds for Poseidon, whether any new elements will be introduced or the penguin will remain the same, all he said was, “Anything can happen, let’s put it that way.” He also hinted at the presence of Poseidon at other sports games.
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October 6, 2015
UMass Lowell hockey roster
October 6, 2015
UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR
UMass Lowell hockey schedule
No. Name
Year
Position
Height Weight Hometown/Last Team
Major
Opponent
Date
Time
Location
2
Tommy Panico
So.
Defenseman
6’1”
200
Criminal Justice
Oct. 9, 2015
7:15 p.m.
Tsongas Center
3
Michael Kapla
Jr.
Defenseman
6’0”
200
Oct. 16, 2015
7:15 p.m.
Tsongas Center
4
Chris Forney
So.
Defenseman
6’2”
200
Oct. 17, 2015
7 p.m.
Tsongas Center
5
Joe Gambardella
Jr.
Forward
5’9”
200
Oct. 23, 2015 Oct. 24, 2015
7 p.m. 7 p.m.
Lawler Arena (North Andover, Mass.) Tsongas Center
6
Avni Berisha
Fr.
Defenseman
5’11”
205
Rensselaer | Rally Towel Giveaway Colorado College | Jacquie Moloney Night Colorado College | Minecrafts Your Crafts Night Merrimack* Merrimack* | Homecoming (Blue Out) Minnesota-Duluth Minnesota-Duluth Vermont* Vermont* Maine* | Scout Night Maine* Notre Dame* Notre Dame* | Country Fest Northeastern*^ Brown/Colgate^ UConn* UConn* | Pucks & Paws Day Clarkson% Penn State/Robert Morris% New Hampshire* Massachusetts* Massachusetts* Providence* Providence* Arizona State Arizona State Northeastern* New Hampshire* Boston University* Boston University* American International Massachusetts Boston College* Boston College* Hockey East Tournament Opening Round Hockey East Tournament Semifinal Round Hockey East Championship Round NCAA Tournament Northeast Regional NCAA Frozen Four
Oct. 30, 2015 Oct. 31, 2015 Nov. 6, 2015 Nov. 7, 2015 Nov. 13, 2015 Nov. 15, 2015 Nov. 20, 2015 Nov. 21, 2015
8 p.m. 8 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 5 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 7 p.m.
Amsoil Arena (Duluth, Minn.) Amsoil Arena (Duluth, Minn.) Gutterson Fieldhouse (Burlington, Vt.) Gutterson Fieldhouse (Burlington, Vt.) Tsongas Center Alfond Arena (Orono, Maine) Tsongas Center Tsongas Center
Nov. 27, 2015 Nov. 28, 2015 Dec. 5, 2015 Dec. 6, 2015
2:30 p.m. 11 a.m./2:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m.
Odyessy Arena (Belfast, Northern Ireland) Odyessy Arena (Belfast, Northern Ireland) XL Center (Hartford, Conn.) Tsongas Center
Dec. 28, 2015 Dec. 29, 2015
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m./8 p.m.
Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Jan. 8, 2016 Jan. 15, 2016 Jan. 16, 2016 Jan. 22, 2016 Jan. 23, 2016 Jan. 29, 2016 Jan. 30, 2016 Feb. 5, 2016 Feb. 6, 2016 Feb. 12, 2016 Feb. 13, 2016 Feb. 16, 2016 Feb. 19, 2016 Feb. 25, 2016 Feb. 26, 2016 March 4-6, 2016
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBA
Whittemore Center (Durham, N.H.) Mullins Center (Amherst, Mass.) Tsongas Center Schneider Arena (Providence, R.I.) Tsongas Center Tsongas Center Tsongas Center Tsongas Center Tsongas Center Agganis Arena (Boston, Mass.) Tsongas Center Olympia Ice Arena (Springfield, Mass.) Tsongas Center Conte Forum (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) Tsongas Center Campus Sites
7
Tyler Mueller
So.
Defenseman
6’1”
195
8
Evan Campbell
Jr.
Forward
6’1”
205
9
Nick Master
Fr.
Forward
5’11”
185
10
Ryan McGrath
Sr.
Forward
5’7”
175
11
Ryan Dmowski
Fr.
Forward
6’1”
205
12
Gage Hough
So.
Forward
6’0”
210
13
Adam Chapie
Sr.
Forward
6’1”
185
15
Michael Louria
So.
Forward
5’11”
195
16
Robert Francis
Sr.
Forward
5’8”
170
17
Connor Wilson
Fr.
Forward
5’10”
165
18
A.J. White
Sr.
Forward
6’2”
210
19
C.J. Smith
So.
Forward
5’11”
185
21
Jake Kamrass
So.
Forward
6’1”
190
22
Ryan Collins
So.
Forward
6’1”
205
23
Michael Fallon
Sr.
Forward
5’11”
180
24
Michael Colantone
Sr.
Forward
5’11”
210
25
Dylan Zink
Jr.
Defenseman
5’10”
180
27
Niklas Folin
Fr.
Defenseman
6’1”
190
28
Jacob Townsend
Fr.
Defenseman
6’0”
175
29
John Edwardh
So.
Forward
5’11”
190
30
Sean Cleary
Fr.
Goalie
6’3”
195
31
Christoffer Hernberg
Fr.
Goalie
6’0”
195
33
Kevin Boyle
Sr.
Goalie
6’1”
200
Norm Bazin
Head Coach
Wall, N.J. / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) Eau Claire, Wis. / Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Thief River Falls, Minn. / Langley Rivermen (BCHL) Staten Island, N.Y. / Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) Lake Ariel, Pa. / Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Regina, Saskatchewan / Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Port Coquitlam, British Columbia / Langley Rivermen (BCHL) Broomall, Pa. / Tri-City Storm (USHL) O’Fallon, Mo. / Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) East Lyme, Conn. / Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) Omaha, Neb. / Omaha Lancers (USHL) Oxford, Mich. / New Mexico Mustangs (NAHL) Wexford, Pa. / Minot Minotauros (NAHL) San Diego, Calif. / Western Michigan (CCHA) Calgary, Alberta / Canmore Eagles (AJHL) Dearborn, Mich. / Michigan Warriors (NAHL) Des Moines, Iowa / Chicago Steel (USHL) Atlanta, Ga. / Topeka RoadRunners (NAHL) Newton, Mass. / Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL) Glenview, Ill. / Chicago Steel (USHL) Cave Creek, Ariz. / Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) Madison, Wis. / Jamestown Ironmen (NAHL) Kungsbacka, Sweden / Omaha Lancers (USHL) Highlands Ranch, Colo. / Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL) Calgary, Alberta / Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) Centerville, Mass. / Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) Espoo, Finland / Espoo Blues U20 Manalapan, N.J. / Massachusetts (Hockey East)
Business Finance Marketing Business Management Undeclared Business Finance
Exercise Science Criminal Justice Undeclared Finance Business Administration Business Administration Marketing Business Business Administration Business Finance Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Business Management/ Marketing Business Administration Business Management Business Management Accounting
Business Undeclared Undeclared Marketing
March 11-13, 2016 TBA
Campus Sites
March 18-19, 2016 TBA
TD Garden (Boston, Mass.)
March 25-27, 2016 TBA
Regional Sites
April 7-9, 2016
Amalie Arena (Tampa, Fla.)
* = Hockey East Game ^ = Friendship Four Tournament & = Three Rivers Classic
TBA
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CAMPUS LIFE
To rank an aesthetic: The best River Hawk jerseys
Do: Even if your outfit is not branded with the team’s mascot, you can still show off your spirit by wearing the team’s colors. Try pairing a simple tank top with a long cardigan or a button-down shirt under a crewneck sweater. This will create a look that still shows support for you team, but will also transition from the game to a night out with friends. Do not: If you are not going to wear the team logo, be sure to identify yourself with the right team. You do not want to show up to a game to find that you are, in fact, wearing the opposing team’s colors.
As we all know, the most important part of hockey is the jersey. Anyone could argue the importance of goals, defense and even basic rules for the game, but the true secret to a successful hockey team is their look. From Lowell Tech to UMass Lowell, our hockey team has always had a distinctive and fashionable jersey. After procuring a little background information on the River Hawks’ past jerseys with the help of Bob Ellis, the hockey play-by-play announcer, a list can be compiled of the best ones so far.
5. University of Lowell This is truly a classic. The red with the blue accent makes for a bold and daring jersey. Bridging the gap between the University of Lowell aesthetic and the current UMass Lowell look, this incarnation utilizes subtle striping on its sleeves and torso, adding to the red rather than distracting from it. An interesting thing to note about this jersey is that it is the last one before blue was brought in as a main color.
By this point moving into using blue as a primary color and red as more of a “spirit color” or an
Accessories
Courtesy of The Boston Herald
Fans have been delighted to see the white jerseys at the Tsongas for years.
chandise began selling very well… I don’t know if that directly influenced… the school’s choice in using the logo more.. but we ended up becoming the River Hawks,” said Ellis. And yet, the River Hawk had only been relegated to patches on the shoulders and arms. This third jersey gives the River Hawk the recognition that it surely deserves, with a grey jersey color.
2. Representing UMass
UMass Lowell used to be united in red.
accent, the UMass Lowell hockey jersey during the mid-1990s looks awfully familiar. It signified a change from the University’s time as the Chiefs to the River Hawks. More importantly, Ellis said, “It seemed that during that time all of the other schools in the Northeast [were] wearing blue, so other schools went to the red… and then you get the accumulation of everyone wearing red and someone says ‘wait a minute’ and we back to emphasizing the blue.” Notwithstanding the rather clear resemblance to a certain Original Six NHL team, this jersey is still notable in that it is the first time where red is utilized as an accent instead of the main color for UMass Lowell. This jersey is fondly remembered by students past, and for good reason.
When Marty Meehan became the chancellor of UMass Lowell, Ellis said that he insisted that “the front of the jerseys said Courtesy of Mill City Sports ‘UMass Lowell,’ not just ‘Lowell…’ part of the institution trying to establish itself on more of a national and international stage in choosing its branding.” He picked the right time to do so. UMass Lowell
won two back-to-back Hockey East championships with these jerseys. And how lovely they are; the shoulder region colored a bold red with the River Hawk emblazoned on it complements as well as accentuates the white of the jersey. It is simple, yet no less iconic.
1. Current Away Jersey There is a lot of blue in Hockey East. It ranges from the deep navy of Notre Dame to the baby blue of the University of Maine. None of these blues, however, are as brilliant as UMass Lowell’s crisp, sharp, and royal blue. Here it is utilized in stunning fashion as the centerpiece of this beautiful jersey. The words “UMass Lowell” pop. The white and red shoulder decorations are minimal yet provide sufficient impact on any onlooker. Anyone passing by this jersey in the streets will be struck by the way the blue stands out in the crowd, and how the red and white are a subtle yet effective addition.
Honorable Mention: All of them. Literally all of them. We have always had fantastic jerseys.
Do: When it comes to accessorizing your look, choose one statement piece, such as a hat or a scarf that shows off the team’s mascot, name or logo. This is a great finishing touch, as it shows off your team spirit in a way that is subtle and effortless. Do not: While you may want to accessorize your look, do not go overboard. You do not need to cover yourself in body paint to show that you have team spirit!
Footwear Do: Remember, you will be at an ice rink. It will be cold and you will have to walk up and down the stairs to get to your seat. Wear comfortable footwear, such as boots or sneakers, that will keep your feet ache-free and warm. This will complete your casual, sporty look that is appropriate for the occasion. Do not: Again, remember, you will be at an ice rink. It will be cold and you will have to walk up and down the stairs to get to your seat. Do not wear high heels or flip flops that will leave your toes freezing and your feet in pain. It does not make you look cute or fashionable, just ridiculous and miserable. Whatever your hockey game style may be, remember to keep it spirited, casual and comfortable—what I would like to call a fashion hat trick.
Courtesy of River Hawk Shop
Scarves are in season, and now, you can support your team and look stylish as well.
UMass Lowell hockey horoscopes Michaela Hyde Connector Editor
Aries: They can’t fight in college hockey. And neither can you, so tone it down before security shows up. Taurus: Won’t stop drinking awful beer and spraying nacho crumbs on the person in front of them whenever they cheer. Gemini: Probably has the other team’s swag on them in case their team loses. Cancer: Pregamed way too hard and won’t stop crying over any good saves.
Leo: Please stop posting game selfies to show off your #UMLpride. We get it; you look fierce with face paint and blue is definitely your color
Capricorn: Spent too much time looking up stats on both teams and has swindled half their friends betting on the game #hustler.
Virgo: Panics every single time the puck comes near the goal. Every. Time.
Aquarius: Complains about the price of food, where their friends chose to sit, how loud the crowd is, etc. etc. etc. but live tweets the entire game #riverhawknation
Libra: Always swipe right for hockey players. Scorpio: Please stop screaming about the goalie’s mom. Please. Sagittarius: Always wants to start The Wave and owns at least three morph suits. Stole the Rowdy head once.
Pisces: Somehow knows all the words to the fight song and gets embarrassingly excited whenever they’re on the Jumbotron. May or may not join the Fat Chicken eating contest. Rode a Zamboni once.
Best places to eat during, after the game Shane Foley Connector Editor
3. New Thirds This jersey, unveiled at a special event during the last season, is very significant in UMass Lowell hockey history. It is the first jersey to use a logo— the River Hawk—on the front, without text since the University of Lowell Chiefs utilized only a logo on their jerseys. In order to be sensitive to the Native American populations residing in and around Lowell, the school decided to establish a new identity and become the River Hawks. “It was my own observation at the time, especially with the explosion of minor league sports, logos and things on mer-
River Hawk hockey fashion dos and don’ts Team Colors
Connector Staff
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CAMPUS LIFE
►Continued from front page
Hannah Manning
4. Have I Seen This Before?
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October 6, 2015
Courtesy of Mill City Sports
We don’t see the blue jersey at home much, but opposing teams are familiar with it when we travel.
Compiling a list of best places to eat for the game may seem a little unnecessary at first. It is true that there are a bunch of food outlets in downtown Lowell, on campus and even inside the Tsongas Center. If you do not like long lines though, or paying a lot of money, or eating meals that would not fill the stomach of a carpenter ant, then you might want to check this out. As far as the Tsongas Center goes, they have much to offer, but not everybody pays attention to the entire package. The Sal’s pizza outlet is usually underused. You will pay more than you would at the Sal’s pizza in the Roadhouse at Fox Commons, but at least you get a huge double slice of pizza with it. Mostly every place you attend at the Tsongas costs money, so you will want to get the most out of your purchase. There are also several booths at the Tsongas that
can go unnoticed as well. The fried dough can be popular, but worth the wait. This is not a good option if you are on a date, however, unless he or she does not mind whatever you are wearing being snowed on with sugar. There is also a hotdog stand, and even a Starbucks stand with a limited selection (no PSL’s). Getting food after the game can be fun, however, it can also be irritating. Your choice of venue may mean the difference between getting a decent meal within a reasonable time frame and rage quitting restaurants because the wait is too long. Two prime areas you are going to want to avoid are Wings over Lowell (Wings) and Lowell Beer Works (Beer Works). Both places are usually packed on game night. Beer Works is the closest place to the Tsongas and therefore receives a lot of out of town business that night. Wings is usually packed, so imagine how it would look on game night. Staying in downtown Lowell is still a good choice
though. Garcia Brogans is a great spot downtown if you are over 21. Other than drinks, though, they have amazing nachos and chicken. Also, Jimmy John’s just opened up on Merrimack Street. It is a short walk from the Tsongas and a good substitute if you cannot make the trek to Suppa’s Pizza. It is open until 10 though, so tough luck if the game goes to overtime. So what is better? Eating at the game, or afterwards? Well, if you are trying to save money, you might find more value for your purchase after the game. Eating at the game is more fun though. Any reader who was here for our home opener last year knows that our student section has become one of the most fearsome in Hockey East. Well, imagine that force on sugar and carbohydrates? Yes, eating at the game will give you the necessary energy to cheer on the River Hawks. Just think of the team when you are in line for Sal’s.
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SPORTS
An end and a beginning: Alumni update of two UMass Lowell stars Hannah Manning Connector Staff
As one former River Hawk’s career gains momentum, another has come to an end. On Sept. 30, Connor Hellebuyck, who played for the River Hawks from 2012 to 2014, was sent to the Manitoba Moose, the Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. This came after a 28-22-5 rookie season with the St. John’s IceCaps, the Jets’ former AHL affiliate, and a spot on the AHL Eastern Conference AllStar Team as the starting goaltender. Hellebuyck played a crucial role in backstopping Team USA to a bronze medal in the 2015 IIHF World Championships. The seven wins he accumulated matched a Team USA record set in 1939 for most wins in a single tournament. His stellar goaltending earned him the honor of being named the top NHL goaltending prospect by InGoal magazine, ahead of Bruins prospects Malcolm Subban (Providence Bruins) and Zane McIntyre (University of North Dakota). Hellebuyck may even outdo himself this season. During the NHL offseason there was much talk as to whether he would crack the Jets roster as backup goaltender to Ondrej Pavelec. His incredible 2014-2015 season certainly
opened many eyes to UMass Lowell’s former superstar. It seems, however, that Jets management is content to continue his development. Luckily for Hellebuyck, the Manitoba Moose are also based in Winnipeg, so if either Pavelec or Mike Hutchison are struggling, the NHL is only a short drive away; all Hellebuyck needs to do is capitalize on his visibility and continue the good work to get the call up. Only time will tell if he will see NHL ice this season. Bobby Robins (2002-2006) announced his retirement from profes-
sional hockey over the summer. After many years of toiling in the minor leagues, a journey which took him through over 500 games from Providence to Northern Ireland, Robins finally realized his dream of playing in the NHL. He made his debut on Oct. 8, 2014 in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was also in this game that he dropped the gloves for a bout against Luke Schenn. Unfortunately Robins sustained a concussion in the fight, and two games later he was sent back down to Providence, not before an-
other fight with Michael Latta of the Washington Capitals, however. Robins’ season in Providence was shorter than his season with the Bruins and he sat out the rest of the season until his contract with the Bruins ended on July 1. The post-concussion syndrome that he suffered changed his personality drastically, and he finally saw that something was wrong. He decided to hang up his skates as a result of his season-ending injury, a sad end to a memoir-worthy career. Through all of it, however, Robins has remained grateful to all of his fans. Robins is eager to go forward in his life and embark on his “new lease on life,” as he told Mark Divver of The Providence Journal. An English major during his time at UMass Lowell and the owner of a blog at bobbyrobins.com, Robins may go forward and immortalize his career and experiences in prose. It will likely be worth picking up.
2015 UMass Lowell hockey team superlatives Michael Paige Connector Staff
Most Likely to Get “River Hawk of the Week” first: C.J. Smith
Most Likely to Lead in Assists: Adam Chapie
With the highest amount of goals last year, Smith is primed to be a top goal scorer again in his sophomore season.
In his junior season, Chapie tied Smith in assists at 19. With this being his senior season, Chapie will be looking to last year’s high.
Justin Soderberg/Mill City Sports
Connor Hellebuyck was a brick wall in UMass Lowell’s 2012 NCAA Frozen Four run.
Offseason moves have Bruins looking for improved 2016 season Darren McFadden Connector Contributor
Last season was not the best for the Boston Bruins. As fans will remember, the team ended the season a measly two points away from a spot in the playoffs that was taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins. New general manager Don Sweeney has the same plan in mind that the team has been trying to implement for years – recreate the magic of the 2011 season. Sweeney plans to accomplish this by keeping as many core players in their positions as possible while shuffling in a few young guns to spice up the Bruins’ formula. In an atypically decisive move, forward Milan Lucic was traded to the L.A. Kings. Since the Bruins 2011
Stanley Cup victory, the Kings have won two Cups of their own, and were early favorites to win again last season. Dougie Hamilton, a fan favorite and a key defensive player for the team, was traded to the Calgary Flames. As a result of trades like this, the Bruins currently hold two first round draft picks. Fortunately, there are talks of picking up Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets. The talented and versatile player has played as both a forward and defenseman in the NHL, and is sure to add defensive and offensive support should he come to Boston. David Pastrnak has proven to be a beacon of light for the Bruins. The talented Czech forward came up
Courtesy of USA Today Sports
Tuuka Rask will need to have a big 2016 season for the Bruins to have success.
Elise Amendola/Associated Press
Most Likely to be Improved: Michael Louria
Most Likely to be a Breakout Freshman: Connor Wilson
After making his groove in his freshman season last year, Louria is on a fast track to surpass last year’s stats and become one of this year’s top forwards.
This former rookie of the year, scored 67 points (25g, 42a) with the Canmore Eagles, looks to bring new energy to the River hawk’s offence adding to coach Bazin’s stacked offence featuring C.J. Smith and Adam Chapie All photos courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics
David Pastranek will look to improve upon his great rookie year in 2016.
from the Providence Bruins and put up 27 points over the course of last season. Pastrnak is also the youngest player in the NHL. His presence will ensure that the second line of Belesky-Krejci-Pastrnak will be quite explosive, while relative newcomer Loui Eriksson will keep up the goal-scoring success of the first line with the scrappy Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Tuukka Rask made franchise record last season by playing 70 games. This was largely due to the lack of a reliable backup, but this season may play out differently in front of the net. Allegedly the competition for the second goalie spot is stiff, and one of the
frontrunners is AHL Providence Bruin Malcolm Subban, who, as Bruins fans will note, is part of a quite successful NHL dynasty. David Krejci, Zdeno Chara and Dennis McQuaid, among other players, missed many games due to injury last season which significantly hampered the success of the team, especially on the defensive end. Going into this season with the team’s good health, continued focus on the four-line attack, and a healthy dose of young talent is sure to bring a resurgence to Bruins hockey, and should lead the team far into the postseason.
Most Likely to Go Ham This Season: Kevin Boyle
Best Smile: Jake Kamrass
Going into his final season with the River Hawks, Boyle aims to be a brick wall this year. He hopes to break his amazing single season save count, which was 850 F.Y.I., and set a high bar for the two freshman goalies joining the River Hawks this year.
Just look at that 20-watt smile. That fresh set of 32 must be protected by some heavy duty Colgate.
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SPORTS
River Hawks hockey season preview ►Continued from front page
the season last year, which was seclast season. As a sophomore, Smith ond for defensemen on the team will continue to play a big role in behind fellow returning linemen the offense. He will have his help Dylan Zink. A Zink-Kapla defenthough, as the River Hawks are sive pairing is just one of the many returning nine out of their top ten that Bazin could put on the ice that point leaders from last season. would generate success. Junior defensemen and co-capKapla is sharing the captain retain Michael Kapla is one of the sponsibilities this season with senine leading scorers from last year nior forward A.J White. White is who is returning. Kapla is using one of the few players remaining last year’s loss to Boston University from the team that reached the as added motivation, but he knows Frozen Four in 2012. He is aware that the new season is a fresh be- of what it takes for a team to sucginning. ceed in the postseason, and knows “You start fresh every year, your that the River Hawks can not take records a blank sheet and you just any opponent for granted. got to be ready to compete,” said “Hockey East is interesting as it Kapla. “We got a lot of core play- is, there are so many good teams,” ers coming back, and the young said White. “You have to be preguys are looking good so far.” pared every game, and if you’re Kapla totaled 25 total points on not you’ll find yourself at the wrong end of the score.” The two captains both have been a part of River Hawk teams that have won huge games at the highest of collegiate levels. Both will certainly lead by example to Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics teach the young Coach Bazin and A.J. White are ready to lead the River Hawks.
guys how to perform as River Hawks. U P C OM I N G The team is exRiver Hawk Games pected to perform well this season acThursday, Oct. 8 7 pm WSOC at UNH cording to many Division 1 coaches. Friday, Oct. 9 4 pm Field Hockey at UC Davis The River Hawks Friday, Oct. 9 7 pm WVB at Hartford were ranked fourth in Hockey East ac7 pm MHockey vs. Rensselaer Friday, Oct 9 cording to a coaches poll that was Saturday, Oct. 10 4 pm FH vs. California released on media day, and the team 6 pm MSOC at Binghamton Saturday, Oct. 10 will start the season For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com Bradel ranked 14 in the nation. Coach Bazin, however, knows Predominately, the mentality those numbers mean nothing. around the locker room is taking “I’m not sure it’s been mentioned the season one game, one period, around the locker room very of- and one shift at a time. The veterten,” said Bazin. “After media day ans on the team know that the seathat’s when those preseason rank- son is far too long and grueling to ings go out the window and you be looking ahead. just focus trying to establish your Guys like White know, howevteam and trying to solidify your er, that if the team works hard to group so there’s some chemistry.” get better every day, then the River What the River Hawks have this Hawks can achieve great things in year more than anything is that 2015. chemistry. The team is a mix of an “We just want to give ourselves exciting group of talented return- the chance to win as much as we ing players who have experience can,” said White. “Hopefully we’re together, with skilled freshman that right there in the top four with will give the team a small glimpse home ice in playoffs.” of the future.
Hockey players are straight up crazy: The five oddest NHL personalities Kyle Gaudette Connector Editor
You need to have a multitude of skills if you wish to one day play in the National Hockey League: examples of these are poise, speed, strength and decision-making. What many NHL players have shown us, however, are that one can play professional hockey with a couple screws loose. Every sport has its own personality with the characters that it holds, and hockey has in some ways set the standard for overall kookiness. So today, we are counting down the top five oddest and eccentric players to ever lace up their skates.
5. Bruce Gardiner
games due to the moon not being “aligned properly with Jupiter.” According to Kevin Goff of Bleacher Report, Gratton also confessed to reporter Marv Albert that he was a part of a Spanish Court in one of his past lives, and one of his favorite activities was to “throw rocks at the commoners.” Gratton did not have the most successful of NHL careers for some odd reason, but he is certainly worthy of a quick Google search.
2. John Tortorella Tortorella has been dubbed one of the most colorful coaches in NHL history. The longtime coach Luca Celebre/TSN Sports
Gardiner got his start in 1997 with the Ottawa Senators, and played until the 2002 season. He never did anything prolific in his six-year NHL run. Unless you count dunking your hockey stick in the toilet before every game as prolific, because that is what Gardiner did.
4. Sidney Crosby Crosby is probably one of the biggest names in the NHL today, who also has some of the weirdest superstitions. Besides being completely crazy about how his hockey stick is taped, Crosby also refuses to talk to his mother on game days. That is certainly one way to say thank you.
3. Gilles Gratton So we are going a little old school here, but this guy is nuts. Gratton earned the nickname “Gratoony the Loony” when he became the goalkeeper for the St. Louis Blues in 1972. It has been documented by his teammates that he missed a couple
Ilya Bryzgalov has always kept reporters on their toes.
has done everything possible to not have a job, but yet continues to find work. Some of Tortorella’s best work includes starting a fight with the opposing team’s coach in the hallway before the game, as well as attempting to beat a rowdy fan with a hockey stick over the protective glass. If you have not seen Tortorella go at it with New York Rangers beat writer Larry Brooks, then you need to stop what you are doing and do a quick search. Quite frankly, whatever comes out of John Tortorella’s mouth is pure comedic gold.
1. Ilya Bryzgalov The man, the myth, the legend himself. Bryzgalov is well known around the NHL as having one of the strangest personalities one will ever find. While the team name on his jersey has changed multiple times, his on and off ice quirkiness has remained constant. Where does one even start with good ol’ Ilya? A video published by YouTube user Matty 2792 entitled “Risky Bryzness” gives a fantastic and funny 10 minute compilation on just how eccentric the goalie can be. Through the video, one will find Bryzgalov’s “thoughts” on the universe, snarky comments to numerous reporters, and a hilarious comparison between the looks of his Siberian husky’s to that of an, according to Bryzgalov, “hot girl.” Ilya Bryzgalov is proof that everything sounds better with a Russian accent. The NHL has already begun the 2015-16 season with exhibition play. This year’s journey will most certainly be another saga in just what happens when individuals take too many pucks to their noggin.