2024-25 Review:
The Merrimack College warriors went 13-21-1 last season, falling 3-2 in overtime to Northeastern University at the Hockey East Tournament.
Key Departures:
Arguably one of the best puck moving defensemen in Hockey East last season, Zach Bookman transferred to the defending champion Western Michigan University Broncos. His presence and vision on the blue line will be sorely missed for the Warriors, as Bookman was second on his team with and 14 assists and 17 points. Another transfer portal loss for Merrimack was Tyler Young, who headed to the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Last season, Young was an alternate captain and a steady presence in the locker room. New captains are sophomore forward Caelan Fitzpatrick and graduate student forward Mark Hillier. Additionally, junior defenseman Seamus Powell and junior forward Ty Daneault will be alternates.
Next Men Up:
One of the tougher players in the USHL last season for the Sioux Falls Stampede was Ottawa Senators draft pick Filip Nordberg. Stampede Head Coach Ryan Cruthers said of Nordberg, “Filip is a very strong multi-dimensional player. He can defend and break out pucks extremely well and has good offensive instincts. His compete level and approach to the game is that of a professional and can play any style of game.” Besides nearly doubling his point production from the year prior to 24 points, Nordberg can bring the boom every time he touches the ice. His 6’5” 216 pound frame was a nuisance for forwards last season, especially those who dared to cut to the middle of the ice.
With Merrimack looking to make a postseason tournament run, they will no doubt rely on Parker Lalonde if they get there. The Aberdeen, SK native helped the BCHL’s Brooks Bandits win a championship with his league leading playoff production, including 19 goals and 31 points through 21 games played. It was no surprise when he was named playoff MVP after those numbers, and the Warriors are hoping that his junior production will carry over to North Andover.
A defenseman arriving at Merrimack from Michigan State University, Austin Oravetz is ready to make a statement. Oravetz played a solid shutdown-style role with the Spartans and primarily played a bottom pairing role last year. Entering the older Hockey East conference could allow Oravetz to shine brightly and control the Warrior blue line.
Coming onto the scene from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Daniel Astapovich could be impactful right from the jump. Astapovich is a point producing player, earning 47 points (21 goals + 26 assists) through 62 games. However, his vision and hockey IQ are what set him apart, as evidenced by his positioning away from the puck against Green Bay on Feb. 7.
The Road Ahead:
The Swedish goaltending tandem featuring Nils Wallström and junior Max Lundgren should be one of the better combos between the pipes in Hockey East. With the departure of Bookman, Merrimack may have to rely on its netminders a bit early on as the defense starts to gel. However, junior forward Luke Weilandt was impressed with the skill of the 2025-26 roster, saying, “This is the most skilled team I’ve been a part of in my three years at Merrimack, and everyone seems hungry to win.” The addition of Nordberg will be a massive boost for the back end. With the injection of offensive oriented freshmen and Hurricanes draft pick Michael Emerson potentially taking the next step in his game, the Warriors could really heat up down the stretch.