A pair of former UMass hockey players will play on different squads at the IIHF World Championships, which begin Friday in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Frank Vatrano, the East Longmeadow native who split time between the Boston and Providence Bruins last season, was added to Team USA’s roster Tuesday.
Oleg Yevenko, who played for the Lake Erie Monsters in the AHL in 2015-16, will skate for his native Belarus in the tournament. He’s the only member of the Belarussian team who plays professionally in North America, but its coach is former Bruins coach Dave Lewis.
Yevenko and Vatrano will face each other on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. The game isn’t scheduled to be televised, but will be on NBC Sports’ live stream.
Each of the 16 teams play seven games in pool play and the top eight advance to the medal rounds.
The Americans begin play against Canada, Friday at 9:15 a.m. on NBC Sports. Belarus plays Finland at 1:15 p.m.
FROZEN FENWAY — Could UMass hockey be back at Fenway Park?
The Mack Report, a website that covers Merrimack and Hockey East, reported that Frozen Fenway, the outdoor hockey event at Fenway Park, is returning in 2017.
According to the report, the event will feature four college games in late January. Hockey East teams are expected to figure prominently among the eight participating squads.
UMass played Vermont in the 2012 event. The event was last held in 2014.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE HONORED — UMass captured four of the five Atlantic 10 postseason awards that were announced Wednesday.
Erika Eipp and Hannah Murphy won the offensive and midfielder player of the year honors, respectively, for the second straight season. Kate Farnham won the defensive player of the year and Angela McMahon was named coach of the year for the fifth time.
Eipp, Farnham and Murphy were joined on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team by teammates Nicole Troost, Holly Turner and Amber Tobin.
Anne Farnham was on the second team while Hanna Palau and Sam Walters were selected to the all-rookie team.
Tobin and Eileen McDonald earned all-academic status.
As the No. 1 seed, UMass has a bye in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh.
The Minutewomen will play the winner of No. 4 Saint Joseph’s and No. 5 Davidson, Friday at 3:30 p.m.
MEN’S LACROSSE HONORED — UMass took home six honors when the Colonial Athletic Association released its postseason award.
Senior Kyle Karaska was UMass’ lone All-CAA first team honoree. Isaac Paparo was on the second team and the all-rookie team. Goalie Sean Sconone and Ben Spencer joined Paparo on the all-rookie team.
Kevin Porzelt was chosen for the all-defensive team.
IN ACTION — The UMass baseball team is at Richmond for a three-game series beginning Friday at 3 p.m.
Softball hosts Bryant for a single game, Thursday at 4 p.m., and will play Dayton in a three-game series beginning with a noon doubleheader, Saturday.
The men’s and women’s track and field teams are at the Atlantic 10 championship meet, Saturday and Sunday at George Mason.
Rowing will also compete for a conference crown, Sunday at Occoquan Reservoir in Fairfax, Virginia.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage