AMHERST — There’s only so much new UMass hockey coach Greg Carvel can learn about his roster in an exhibition game, but he’s eager to see his squad in action when it hosts Dalhousie at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mullins Center.
NCAA rules allow teams to practice for short stretches during September, but its first actual practice is the exhibition game.
“I want to see who can compete within a structure. We spend a lot of time watching video and talking about how we want to play,” Carvel said. “It’s not till you get into games that you see guys that can mentally transfer that to the ice and do that against competition. We need guys that are going stick their nose in and compete within our structure.”
Senior captain Steven Iacobellis said the players are eager to get going.
“It’s a fresh start for everybody,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to change the culture and change our identity. Everybody is on board with that. It’s like Christmas to us. We can’t wait to get going.”
Sophomore defenseman Ivan Chukarov agreed.
“Saturday can’t come fast enough,” Chukarov said. “The whole month of September is gearing up for October. Everyone is battling for a spot right now, especially with all the freshmen coming in. Everyone is in tip top shape. It’s been a lot of competition”
The NCAA has no rules on roster size for preseason games, so Carvel can look at as many of his 25 available skaters and three goalies as he chooses.
While they’re all new to him, even seasoned viewers of the Minutemen will have quite a few new faces to observe as eight rookies join the roster. It will be a young roster overall as 17 of the 28 players are freshmen or sophomores.
Goalie Ryan Wischow, who was originally headed to St. Lawrence, followed Carvel to Amherst and will compete to earn time in net with senior Alex Wakaluk and sophomore Nic Renyard.
Shane Bear could be a catalyst on the blue line after notching 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in his final year of junior hockey.
Jack Suter highlights a collection of five freshman forwards who could all see action.
NOTES — Admission is free and the game will be broadcast by WHMP on 96.9 FM or 1400 AM.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage