59 Teams in 59 Days UMASS

The 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues with a trip to Amherst, Massachusetts where the UMASS Minutemen are featured.

Last year the head coach Don Cahoon and the Minutemen started off real slow at the begginning of the year going 1-7 in their first eight games. Although they finished 13-21-2, the Minutemen can take a lot of what they learned last year into this year.

There might of only been two 10+ goal scorers last year in Seniors Marvin Degon and Stephen Werner, and they might not be back this year, but expect UMASS to score more this year. With the potential of this team which includes Sophomore Chris Davis and Junior P.J. Fenton who should both see their numbers go up, the Minutemen could be better in the scoring department. Also look out for Cory Quirk.

Defensively the Minuteman return five players. This could help Sophomore goaltender Jon Quick improve from last year. Even though Quick went 4-10-1, he had a huge win in Febuary against Boston College their biggest win of the year. Quick made 47 saves in the victory.

UMASS welcomes eight incoming Freshmen this year all of them could step up immediatley. Five of the eight recruits came from the USHL. Overall look for those players to come up and make an impact.

Overall UMASS is going to keep improving every year. Expect them to sneak up on some teams in Hockey East.

The predicted ceiling for the Minutemen is fourth in Hockey East, while the gutter is seventh.

Tommorrow we will take a trip to Lowell, and we will feature the third consecutive Hockey East team the UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks as the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues.