Add another forward to the ranks.
Eric DeDobbelaer will join the UMass hockey team next season, the team announced Thursday.
He played 99 games for the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Brantford 99ers.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-shot forward scored 13 goals with 43 assists and logged 113 penalty minutes.
“Eric competes, goes to the hard areas, and is willing to do the little things,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said in a release. “We look forward to Eric adding to our culture and being a glue guy in the locker room as he learns the college game.”
Last season in 2019-20, the Brantford, Ontario, native was an alternate captain. DeDobbelaer had eight goals and 26 assists as the 99ers earned a playoff berth.
He’s the second addition to UMass’ roster this week after Dartmouth graduate transfer Matt Baker chose the Minutemen.
SCOUT’S HONOR – NHL Central Scouting released its final prospect rankings for the 2021 draft Thursday, and UMass should be well represented.
Commit Scott Morrow is the highest ranked North American skater at No. 39, while Ryan Ufko checks in at No. 43. Rising sophomore Josh Lopina is ranked 139th, and commit Owen Murray checks in at No. 210. Morrow plays for Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota, while Ufko is with the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Murray spent last season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.
Goalie commits Luke Pavicich (No. 16) and Colin Purcell (No. 26) also made the North American list.
The draft will be held July 23-24, later than its customary June window due to the late finish to the 2020-21 NHL season.
UMass has had a player or commit selected in each of the past four drafts.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettnet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.