2024-25 Review:
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst Minutemen had a 21-14-5 record before falling in overtime of the NCAA Regional to the eventual National Champion Western Michigan University Broncos 2-1 on March 29.
Key Departures:
Three of the four scorers for the Minutemen went pro this summer. Forward Cole O’Hara joins the Milwaukee Admirals in the Nashville Predators organization after leading in all three offensive categories. O’Hara scored 22 goals, 29 assists and 51 points through 40 games. He will fit right in at one of the most renowned American Hockey League organizations.
Winger Aydar Suniev is a physical offensive forward that looks to transition seamlessly into the Calgary Flames organization. Suniev led the Minutemen with 41 penalty minutes through 35 games played while additionally finishing second in both goals and assists. The Russian native played in one regular season gamefor Calgary at the end of the year. While currently assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate Calgary Wranglers, it would not surprise me if Suniev gets an NHL call up at some point this season.
Dans Locmelis signed with the Boston Bruins after his sophomore season last year. Playing his junior hockey in Sweden while also representing his native Latvia, Locmelis uses the full width of the ice at every level he plays including the World Juniors. This vision allowed him to be second on the Minutemen with 25 assists last year.
Next Men Up:
Three Eastern Conference USHL players are the next wave of Minutemen ready to strike and two of them come from the same junior team. The Muskegon Lumberjacks provided two critical freshmen this season, both of whom are fresh off a Clark Cup. Selected 25th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2025 NHL Draft, Vaclav Nestrasil is incredibly versatile. Nestrasil has a knack for the net, as evidenced by his 42 points (19 goals +23 assists) through 61 regular season games. However, he also leans into 6’6” 190 pound frame delivering punishing hits that can energize his teammates. Nestrasil could be a multi tool player for the University of Massachusetts this season.
The second Muskegon Lumberjack entering the University of Massachusetts, Jack Galanek thrives under pressure. When a big play was needed for Muskegon last year, Galanek was the guy. This applied more so in the playoffs where he led the USHL in assists with 11. The Minutemen are hoping that Galanek will blossom under the bright lights and intensity of Hockey East. Former Muskegon Lumberjack forward and current Miami freshman David Deputy said of his former teammates, “I love both of those guys to death. Both are really great players and even better people. Galanek has some of the most skill I’ve ever seen. Vaclav skates and handles pucks unbelievable and he’s a force everywhere on the ice.”
A great captain for the Youngstown Phantoms, Coleson Hanrahan sailed his team to the No. 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference. Hanrahan’s intensity gained him 126 penalty minutes on the year, most among his teammates. The majority of those penalties were taken standing up for his fellow Phantoms. His passion for the game and character also won him the 2025 Curt Hammer Award from the USHL. The award goes to a “USHL player who distinguishes himself both on and off the ice by demonstrating outstanding performance skills, pride, and determination.” His coach Ryan Ward, one of the better bench bosses in the league had this to say. “Coleson sets the bar with his work ethic and professionalism and has taught all of our young players what it means to truly be a leader. Coleson is going to be a leader of his peers for a long time, and there is no question that he's left Youngstown better than when he found it.”
The Road Ahead:
The Minutemen named their two captains recently, both defensemen. Lucas Olvestad knows what it takes to guide a team to a national championship, helping the Denver pioneers reach the summit in 2024. Owen Murray is someone who has impressed me since his time as an alternate captain with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. His work ethic is tireless, and his character is outstanding. Murray wants to come out of the gates fast this season saying, “We are coming off a strong season last year and looking to get off to a quick start while keeping the momentum going into this season. We have a good balance of youth up front and experience on the back end and in the net that we hope will translate well in a tight checking Hockey East.”
Transferring from the University of Wisconsin, forward Detroit Red Wings pick Owen Mehlenbacher can make a lot of noise forechecking. If junior forward Jack Musa averages around a point per game like he did last season, and Utah Mammoth prospect goalie Michael Hrabl continues his poised performances in net, the University of Massachusetts can easily be in the Frozen Four come springtime.