The University of Massachusetts-Lowell may be leaving Hockey East or losing its hockey program altogether.

Published reports in the Lowell Sun and U.S. College Hockey Online said there is a June 21 deadline to restructure a lease deal between the city of Lowell, the university and the Tsongas Arena.

If not, the UMass Board of Trustees could vote to eliminate the program.

A task force put together by the Board of Trustees had recommended earlier that the River Hawks consider leaving Hockey East for another conference where it would have a better chance to flourish.

UMass Lowell has been in the league since its inception in 1984-85. The River Hawks have never won a Hockey East regular season or tournament championship but have qualified for two NCAA Tournaments.

According to the Sun, UMass Lowell paid close to $6,000 per game in rent as well as a yearly fee. The task force report wants the yearly fee to be eliminated and the rent to be reduced to $3100 per game.

The River Hawks share the arena with an American Hockey League team, the Lowell Devils.

Attendance has always been a problem for the River Hawks since Tsongas opened in 1998. UMass Lowell averaged 2,986 per game this past season but Tsongas Arena holds 6,496.