After a historic run to the program’s first-ever national championship earlier this month, the UMass hockey team was honored Tuesday at the State House in Boston for their achievements.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito welcomed head coach Greg Carvel along with members of the team and UMass administration.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the way these folks made it almost all the way two years ago, had an opportunity to play again, taken away from them last year, and then dealt with all the stuff the pandemic brought them this year,” Baker said during Tuesday’s event. “They are a terrific hockey team.”
Carvel said that the past few weeks have been special, and that driving to Boston for Tuesday’s event offered a chance to see signs of support along the way.
“It was awesome,” Carvel offered.
In addition to Baker and Polito, state legislative leaders Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano all offered their congratulations, while UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and UMass President Marty Meehan were also on hand.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this national championship with Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and our state legislative leadership,” said UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford.
According to a release from UMass, the State House visit will be the final formal recognition event for the hockey program this semester. “Due to current state guidelines and in accordance with Phase IV, Step 1 of the Reopening Plan, a parade for the team will not be held this spring and may be delayed until the fall,” the release stated.
In addition, “UMass students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to view and take a photo with the national championship trophy in late April at the newly renovated Student Union and other campus facilities. Complete details will be announced soon.”
The school said that it is planning to recognize the hockey program when students return for the fall semester. There would be an event at a UMass home football game, as well as championship banner raising festivities at the Mullins Center when the 2021-22 season kicks off in October, though details haven’t been finalized.
“The outpouring of recognition throughout our postseason run has been overwhelming,” said Carvel. “We have some of the most loyal and passionate supporters in college hockey, and we sincerely appreciate their dedication to this program. Our team is now looking forward to taking a step back and finishing the spring semester strong in the classroom. We can’t wait to be back together soon and share this championship more broadly with everyone in the fall.”
UMass captain Jake Gaudet and defenseman Marc Del Gaizo joined the list of Minutemen who have signed professional contracts since winning a national title this week.
Del Gaizo inked a three-year, entry-level contact with the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, a contract that will begin for the 2021-22 season.
Del Gaizo scored 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) during his junior campaign with the Minutemen. The 5-foot-10, 181-pound defenseman, who served as an alternate captain for UMass this season, was drafted by the Predators in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
The Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, announced Monday that they had signed Gaudet to a professional tryout (PTO) contract for the remainder of the 2020-21 season and an AHL contract for the 2021-22 campaign.
In 28 appearances for the Minutemen this season, Gaudet scored five goals and eight assists.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound forward is a native of Ottawa, Ontario.