Cale Makar, Frank Vatrano lead biggest crop of UMass players ever in NHL.
Boston — There will be two former Minutemen on the ice when the NHL’s best travel to Toronto for All-Star Weekend next month. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks’ representative in the initial wave of players revealed was Frank Vatrano, a former Minuteman and native of East Longmeadow. With 12 assists, he has scored 21 goals, three short of his career high. His first nomination as an All-Star.
Cale Makar, who was in Boston with the Colorado Avalanche Thursday to face the Bruins, will be an All-Star for the third time after being added by fan vote. The 2019 Hobey Baker winner who led UMass to its first Frozen Four is a leading Norris Trophy contender and a dark horse for the Hart Trophy with 10 goals and 43 assists.
But it’s more than the All-Stars, there are more former Minutemen who’ve been in the NHL this year than any previous year as 13 former UMass players have appeared in at least one game.“It’s awesome to see success coming from the program,” Makar said after morning skate on Thursday. “There’s definitely a lot of close friends I keep in touch with from UMass, especially when we cross paths along the way.”
Jonathan Quick — The former Conn Smythe winner has been reborn for the Rangers. The 37-year-old goal has thrived as New York’s No. 2 goalie since signing as a free agent. He’s 9-3-2 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.
Mario Ferraro — While the Sharks have struggled, the ex-Minuteman defenseman is having a strong year. He’s their No. 1 defenseman with a goal, 13 assists and a team-high 23:51 of average ice time.
Brandon Montour —Montour, a short-time Minuteman who was injured early in the season, isn’t playing as well as he did when he scored 73 points the previous season. Even so, he has been a key member of a Panther team that is contending with Boston in the Atlantic Division, averaging 23:08 minutes a game before Thursday.
Conor Sheary — The much-traveled 31-year-old is in his first season in Tampa. He’s been a double-digit goal scorer every year since 2016-17, but a November injury slowed him. He’s got just one goal and seven assists this season in 26 games.
Matt Murray — The Stars prospect has only played one game in the NHL this year as he’s blocked by two veterans in Dallas, but he made the most of his call-up with 23 saves in a 4-0 shutout of the Minnesota Wild.
Joel Hanley — The 32-year-old is having a solid season as a bottom-pair defenseman in Dallas where he’s a +4 in 20 games.
William Lagesson — In his first season in the Maple Leafs organization, he’s been up and down between the AHL and the NHL with 21 games in Toronto.
Marc Del Gaizo — Del Gaizo, who is currently with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, recorded three assists and was +2 in five NHL games with the Nashville Predators in November.
Mitchell Chafee — He is looking for a call-up and has scored 24 points in 31 games with the Syracuse Crunch after playing one game with the Lightning.
Matthew Kessel — Called up just before New Year’s, Kessel has played seven games in his second NHL stint after playing parts of three seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
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