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University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Hockey Alumni Sheary, Hanley & Kostka Ink NHL Deals
July 01, 2015 | Hockey
Pittsburgh Penguins' Release - Conor Sheary
Montreal Canadiens' Release - Joel Hanley
Ottawa Senators' Release - Mike Kostka
AMHERST, Mass. - A trio of UMass hockey alumni signed with NHL clubs as free agency opened on Wednesday. Forward Conor Sheary and defenseman Joel Hanley, both 2014 graduates, inked their first NHL deals with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens, respectively, while 2008 grad, defenseman Mike Kostka signed with the Ottawa Senators.
Sheary received a two-year entry-level NHL contract, remaining with the organization that first signed him to an ATO following the conclusion of his senior season at UMass in 2013-14.
In his first full professional campaign, Sheary led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in scoring in 2014-15 with 45 points on 20 goals and 25 assists over 58 games. The Melrose, Mass., native burst onto the AHL scene during the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2014 after appearing in just two regular season games while on an ATO with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Sheary was one of the top point producers in the AHL during the postseason in 2014 with 11 points (6g, 5a) over 15 games and continued the torrid scoring pace in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs with 12 points (5g, 7a) in eight games.
Sheary finished his four-year collegiate career with 104 points on 38 goals and 66 assists, including 12 power-play tallies, three shorthanded goals and three game winners. He became the 12th player in UMass history to reach the century mark in points and ranks in the top-15 all-time in career assists (t-7th), points (8th), shorthanded goals (t-8th), power-play goals (t-14th) and goals (t-15th).
Sheary missed just one of a possible 139 games over his four seasons with the Minutemen and played in the last 133 straight. As a senior in 2013-14, he led UMass in scoring with 28 points on nine goals and a squad-best 19 assists.
Hanley agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens after playing his first full season with the Portland Pirates, the then-AHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes, in 2014-15. Hanley, who signed a PTO with the Pirates in the spring of 2014, appeared in a total of 78 regular season in Portland, logging two goals and 20 assists for 22 points.
The Keswick, Ontario, native saw action in 131 games over his four years with the Minutemen and registered 75 points on 17 goals and 58 assists, to go along with 119 career blocks. One of the top point-producing defensemen in program history, Hanley finished his career fourth all-time for a UMass blueliner with 75 points and 31st in career scoring overall. Hanley is tied for 15th all-time in assists, tied for 17th in the record book for career power-play goals with 11 and sixth for career power-play points with 40.
Kostka, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators, has appeared in 70 NHL games over the past three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning and, most recently, the New York Rangers.
The defenseman tallied one assist in seven games with the Rangers in 2014-15, seeing the bulk of his action with the club's AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. This season with Hartford, the defenseman had 30 points (5g, 25a) over 63 regular season games and five points (1g, 4a) in 15 playoff contests with the Wolf Pack
Kostka, who turned pro following his senior year with the Minutemen in 2007-08, played in 158 games over four seasons at UMass and was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star in 2008.
