University of Massachusets Athletics
Hockey Adds Graduate Transfer Niko Rufo
August 04, 2017 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey has added graduate transfer Niko Rufo to its 2017-18 roster, head coach Greg Carvel announced on Friday. Rufo, a 6-0, 199-pound forward from Stoneham, Massachusetts joins the Minutemen from Providence College and has one year of collegiate eligibility remaining.
"We are very excited to welcome Niko Rufo to our UMass hockey family," said Carvel. "Niko is an experienced player who will bring leadership and maturity to an extremely young team. We will look to Niko to be an important part of our offense as he is a skilled player who also plays with great energy and intensity. As a graduate transfer, we will only have Niko for one year, but he will play an important role in the transition of this hockey program."
At Providence, Rufo tallied 10 points on four goals and six assists in 56 games over four seasons, with a career-high 18 games played in both 2015-16 and 2016-17. He appeared in 11 games during the Friars' national championship season in 2014-15.
Prior to beginning his collegiate career, Rufo played for Kimball Union for two years (2011-12, 2012-13). In 2012-13, he registered 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points in 30 games. He helped Kimball Union to the 2012 Flood Maar Championship and the 2011-12 Simmons/Piatelli Championship, as well.
During the 2012-13 season, Rufo played for the Neponset Valley River Rats (Tier 1 Elite AAA) and won the U-18 USA Hockey National Championship with that squad. He played for the national championship-winning Boston Jr. Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League in 2010-11, registering 38 points, contributing 18 goals and 20 assists over 40 games.
For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter (@UMassHockey) and Instagram (@MassachusettsHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
"We are very excited to welcome Niko Rufo to our UMass hockey family," said Carvel. "Niko is an experienced player who will bring leadership and maturity to an extremely young team. We will look to Niko to be an important part of our offense as he is a skilled player who also plays with great energy and intensity. As a graduate transfer, we will only have Niko for one year, but he will play an important role in the transition of this hockey program."
At Providence, Rufo tallied 10 points on four goals and six assists in 56 games over four seasons, with a career-high 18 games played in both 2015-16 and 2016-17. He appeared in 11 games during the Friars' national championship season in 2014-15.
Prior to beginning his collegiate career, Rufo played for Kimball Union for two years (2011-12, 2012-13). In 2012-13, he registered 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points in 30 games. He helped Kimball Union to the 2012 Flood Maar Championship and the 2011-12 Simmons/Piatelli Championship, as well.
During the 2012-13 season, Rufo played for the Neponset Valley River Rats (Tier 1 Elite AAA) and won the U-18 USA Hockey National Championship with that squad. He played for the national championship-winning Boston Jr. Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League in 2010-11, registering 38 points, contributing 18 goals and 20 assists over 40 games.
For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter (@UMassHockey) and Instagram (@MassachusettsHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
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