.png&type=webp){kind=icon}
University of Massachusets Athletics
Greg Carvel Announces Ice Hockey Staff
April 19, 2016 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts ice hockey head coach Greg Carvel welcomes Ben Barr, Jared DeMichiel and Brennen McHugh to his staff, he announced on Tuesday.
"Ben, Jared and Brennen are a great fit for our hockey team," Carvel said. "They come with many years of playing and coaching experience that will contribute to building a successful hockey program here at the University of Massachusetts."
Barr will serve as assistant coach and arrives in Amherst after spending the previous two seasons as associate head coach at Western Michigan. Prior to his stint with the Broncos, he spent three seasons at Providence College, helping the Friars to back-to-back Hockey East Tournament Semifinals appearances. In 2013-14, Providence earned a 22-win season, a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the East Regional Finals. The Friars went on to win the 2015 NCAA Frozen Four with Barr's recruits.
Barr also spent three seasons at Union College, helping recruit the Dutchmen's senior class that led them to the 2014 NCAA Championship. He played at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) from 2000-04 and spent one season as an assistant at his alma mater.
"I'm humbled to have the opportunity to join the Minuteman family," Barr said. "The pieces are in place at the University of Massachusetts to build a formidable Hockey East-caliber program. Greg, Jared and Brennen did a great job in Canton and I look forward to working on staff with them at UMass."
DeMichiel joins the Massachusetts staff as assistant coach after spending two seasons with Carvel at St. Lawrence University. The Saints put together 20- and 19-win seasons with second- and fourth-place ECAC finishes, respectively, during his time in Canton.
In two seasons under DeMichiel, the Saints' penalty kill unit ranked eighth and tied for 13th nationally while goaltender Kyle Hayton recorded save percentages of .935 to rank fourth nationally (2015-16) and .939 to finish third nationally (2014-15). Hayton's goals against average of 1.81 in 2014-15 ranked fifth nationally.
DeMichiel got his start in coaching as an assistant at Nazareth College under head coach George Roll from 2011-14. His recruits collected three all-conference and four all-rookie honors for the Golden Flyers.
A former Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) goaltender, DeMichiel led all of Division I with 27 victories in his senior season, was second in shutouts (six), seventh in goals against average and eighth in save percentage. He paced RIT to the 2010 Frozen Four and holds RIT's Division I record for career victories by a goaltender.
"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the staff alongside Greg, Ben and Brennen at the University of Massachusetts," DeMichiel said. "Being from New England, I know about the academic and athletic reputation of UMass. It is an honor to represent such a fine University. I cannot wait to get to work with this staff on building the Minuteman hockey program."
McHugh will serve as director of hockey operations for Carvel's staff. He joins UMass Athletics after one season at Cornell University and three seasons at St. Lawrence University, where he served in similar capacities.
At his previous stops, McHugh was responsible for scouting opponents, game video analysis and post-game video breakdown, meeting with potential recruits and coordinating team activities. He also helped create the Skating Saints Kids Club for youth hockey fans and served as co-director of the school's hockey camp. McHugh played a significant role in the Hobey Baker Award campaigns for both Kyle Flanagan and Greg Carey in 2012-13, providing video elements for the selection process.
"Joining the UMass hockey program, athletic department and campus community is a tremendous opportunity that I'm very excited about," McHugh said. "Greg Carvel is a first-class coach, a true professional and someone I admire greatly. The offer to be part of his new staff, along with Ben and Jared, was one that I couldn't pass up."
Fans can renew their season tickets with no price increase, at a cost of $165 per ticket (price includes $15 tax deductible gift to the Minutemen Club), or purchase new for the same early bird price. The cost for senior citizens (age 65+) and UMass Faculty/Staff is $150 (price includes $10 tax deductible gift to the Minutemen Club). Call 1-866-UMASS-TIX to speak with a sales consultant.
Fans, friends, alumni and supporters can donate to the UMass hockey Excellence Fund by visiting minutefund.umass.edu/hockey. Carvel and Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford will host a hockey event at the UMass Club on May 2. Please contact Ryan Boudway (rboudway@umass.edu) for more information.
For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @UMassHockey and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.