The UMass hockey team’s 2025-26 roster continues to take shape as three more recruits were announced to be joining the Minutemen this past week.

Vaclav Nestrasil, A.J. Lacroix and Lukas Klecka were all confirmed as the newest members of the Class of 2029 by UMass athletics.

Nestrasil will begin his college career with the most hype of the three as the Prague, Czechia product will almost certainly be selected in this month’s NHL Draft and could even be chosen as high as the first round. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 186 pounds, Nestrasil totaled 55 points in 86 games across two seasons during the regular season and playoffs with the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Muskegon Lumberjacks.

“Vaclav is a right-shot forward that can play both center and wing,” Minutemen head coach Greg Carvel said in a statement released by UMass athletics. “He possesses an elite skill set at his size, has great vision and makes great plays with the puck.  He goes to the net and uses his size and ability to score goals around the net. Fans will enjoy watching Vaclav develop over the years.”

Nestrasil won the Clark Cup championship with the Lumberjacks this past season, along with incoming recruit Jack Galanek.

Lacroix is the latest recruit from the Brooks Bandits of the British Columbia Hockey League to make his way to the Pioneer Valley. Lacroix, who hails from Livingston, New Jersey, helped the Bandits to the BCHL championship by tallying 11 goals and 28 points in 44 games.

“A.J. is the type of kid you win with,” Carvel said. “He is a great teammate and is very coachable. He is a big power forward who can really shoot the puck and can play in a lot of different situations on the ice. A.J. has spent time playing in the top junior leagues in North America and has had success at every level. His on-ice ability and high character off the ice will be a great addition to our forward group next season.”

Cale Makar, most notably, played his junior hockey with the Bandits before suiting up for the Minutemen in 2017-18.

Klecka was the first of the three names to be announced this week and the Bratislava, Slovakia native will cross the Atlantic Ocean for his first taste of North American hockey when he arrives in Amherst this fall.

Klecka put up impressive numbers over three seasons with Södertälje SK J20 in Sweden, securing 104 points in 144 career games. Klecka was also teammates with current Minuteman forward Daniel Jencko on the Slovakian World Junior Championship team this past winter in Ottawa.

“Lukas played this past season in Sweden and featured on the Slovakian World Junior team,” Carvel said. “He will bring a lot of pace, skill and compete to our team next season.”

UMass’ incoming freshman class is up to six names as of Friday afternoon, with five of them being forwards.

Injuries force Michael Cameron to retire

In an unexpected update, UMass hockey’s sports information director, Jillian Jakuba, confirmed on Twitter/X that Michael Cameron will not return to the Minutemen next season, citing “a medical retirement.”

Cameron is not listed on UMass’ 2025-26 roster on its website and Jakuba clarified the rising senior’s future status when one fan suggested the omission was an error.

Cameron dealt with multiple injuries in 2024-25 and missed the final 11 games after suffering an injury at Boston College on February 14.

In 87 career games with the Minutemen, Cameron compiled 29 points.