UMass considering joining Hockey East

On The Ice

Hockey East may gain a new member, but it won’t be for at least four years.

From $40 million-$50 million has been allocated to the University of Massachusetts for an all-purpose facility, including an ice arena, and Hockey East Commissioner Stu Haskell has been approached by high-ranking officials at the Amherst-based school about joining Hockey East.

“They have shown a strong interest in Hockey East,” admitted Haskell. “The league is considering its response at this time, but I think the reception will be warm.”

The ground breaking hasn’t taken place yet, but initial steps leading up to the ground breaking have begun. The new facility will seat between 8,000-10,000 for hockey and basketball and there will be an additional non-heated ice surface attached to it so the hockey team can practice if there is a basketball game or another function being held at the same time.

“It’s going to be one of the best facilities in the country, no question about it,” said Haskell. “They are hoping to open the doors in the fall of ’93. I would doubt that they would want to come in to Hockey East for that season, but maybe for the ’94-95 or ’95-96 season.”

Maine Coach Shawn Walsh said, “I think it would be great if UMass came into Hockey East as long as they were willing to spend the money necessary to have a strong program.” —

In other Hockey East news, Haskell said there won’t be another regularly scheduled midweek Hockey East game after this season.

The league’s athletic directors prefer weekend games for attendance reasons.

However, Haskell did say that the schedule will be flexible so that if two schools want to play a midweek league game, they will be allowed to do so.

He said the league will also try to accommodate the New England Sports Network on a weeknight, although he added, “NESN prefers doing Friday night games.”

Haskell has taken over the scheduling duties from Mike O’Neil, who resigned as secretary-treasurer of Hockey East to accept the position as Director of Operations for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. O’Neil has next year’s league schedule already drawn up.

Haskell said steps have been taken to ensure that all Hockey East teams will have a similar respite between league games.

A team that plays a Friday night league game can’t play a league game the following night unless it’s against the same team or against a HE team that also played a Friday night league game.

However, the scheduling of non-league games are up to the discretion of the coaches.

Black Bear freshman goalie Mike Dunham was named the Hockey East Co-Rookie of the Week.

Dunham shared the award with Providence College goalie Mike Heinke, who had been the league’s Rookie of the Week the first two weeks.

Dunham made 17 saves in Friday night’s 7-1 win over Air Force to lower his goals-against average to 3.11 and raise his save percentage to .886. He has now saved 39 of the last 41 shots he has faced for a .951 save percentage.