AMHERST – Matt Koopman might skate to the wrong box if he’s whistled for a penalty at Schneider Arena.
The UMass forward spent four years as a Providence Friar and will play his first game against his former team at 7 p.m. Friday in the arena he called home for most of his college career.
“It will be cool seeing the rink from the other side. Once it’s Friday, 7 o’clock, I’ll be ready to rock,” Koopman said. “Once the puck drops, it’ll be fun. I’m not a big chirper myself. I’ll just continue to play. I may be getting some a little bit.”
Koopman, a Marblehead native, skated in 113 games for Providence and amassed 15 goals and 17 assists. He only took 10 penalties in his four years.
“Basically any kid that can play for Providence can play for us,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “We needed an older body to come in with all these new players. We needed a veteran kind of kid to come in.”
Before Providence, Koopman played at Marblehead High School with his twin brother Kyle and older brother Tom. He then matriculated to the Berkshire School before a season and a half in the USHL with Waterloo.
Koopman crafted his identity as a hard-nosed forward once he became a Friar. He realized that it wasn’t enough to just be talented. Everyone had talent. It became a matter of finding ways to keep himself in the lineup.
“Once you get to college everyone is coming from a good program or they’re a top six forward somewhere,” Koopman said. “Some guys get dropped to a fourth liner and they don’t want to do that dirty work or hard work.”
That grit and doggedness defines Providence’s program in many of the same ways UMass embodies them. Carvel often remarks how much the Friars look like his team or they look like Providence when he studies film.
“Two teams with similar identities, probably two coaches that see the game similarly,” Carvel said. “Physical, responsible hockey. It’s a team we have a lot of respect for.”
That respect goes both ways. Koopman wanted an opportunity to play for a Hockey East championship and in the NCAA Tournament out of his fifth year.
“I was looking around the portal, and this offer came up. It was a no brainer for me. I want to be pushed every day,” Koopman said. “Like Carve said, you don’t want it to be easy. That suited me pretty well.”
Koopman didn’t need to change his approach much once he joined the Minutemen. He slid into UMass’ second line with fellow former Friar Jerry Harding and captain Eric Faith and assimilated seamlessly with two goals.
“He’s been outstanding. Great attitude, great energy. He’s exceeded my expectations,” Carvel said. “I’m sure it will be pretty surreal surreal for him be on the other bench.”
Koopman would rather talk about close games, a lack of time and space and UMass’ game heading in the right direction.
“At the end of the day, just drop the puck and go,” he said.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.