UMass hockey is headed back to Fenway Park.
The Minutemen will play at the legendary ballpark as part of Frozen Fenway in 2017. UMass will face Boston University on Jan. 7 as part of a doubleheader with Boston College and Providence.
This is UMass’ second appearance in the event. It will come exactly five years after its 3-2 overtime win over Vermont on Jan. 7, 2012. This is the fourth time Fenway has hosted a hockey rink.
“Frozen Fenway 2017 creates a fantastic opportunity for exposure for our program,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said in a statement. “Being the flagship program of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, it is an honor for us to play in one of the state’s most beloved and historic venues. It is sure to be a memorable experience for our student-athletes and the alumni and fans of UMass hockey.”
UMass rising senior Marc Hetnik grew up in Chestnut Hill, or as he puts it “three T stops from Fenway Park.”
The lifelong Red Sox and Bruins fan was at Fenway in 2010 for the NHL’s Winter Classic and was thrilled to find out that the Minutemen would be playing there this year.
“I’m very excited. When I saw the news today I was ecstatic,” he said. “Growing up in Boston, I always went to Fenway Park to see a baseball game. To see it with a hockey rink on the field was amazing.”
Hetnik expected to be at Fenway for a Red Sox game at least once more this summer. He thought knowing the Minutemen were playing there would enhance that.
“I’m a huge baseball fan. My family loves the Red Sox,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll get to one or two more (games) before I get back to school. Now I’m sure I’ll look at the field wondering what the rink will look like.”
There will be a second Hockey East doubleheader on Jan. 14. Maine will face UConn and New Hampshire will play Northeastern. The ice will be in the ballpark for two weeks.
“Hockey East and our schools could not be more excited to take the ice once again at Fenway Park,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna in the same statement. “Once Frozen Fenway 2017 is complete all 12 Hockey East schools will have played an outdoor game at Fenway Park, creating once-in-a-lifetime memories for the players, students, alumni and fans.”
Ticket information, along with additional Frozen Fenway games and events will be announced closer to the games.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage