UMass’ Makar Wins Gold At IIHF World Junior Championship

BUFFALO, N.Y. – University of Massachusetts hockey freshman defenseman Cale Makar became the second Minuteman in program history to win gold at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship when Team Canada defeated Sweden, 3-1 in the Gold Medal Game on Friday night in Buffalo, New York. The Calgary, Alberta native joins former UMass forward Stephen Werner (2002-06), who won a Gold Medal with Team USA in 2004.

Makar finished the tournament with three goals and five assists for eight points and was +5 over seven games. He led all defensemen in scoring at the World Junior Championship and was the lone Canadian player to be named to the World Junior Media All-Star team. Following Canada's semifinal win over the Czech Republic, Makar was tabbed one of Team Canada's three Players of the Tournament, as voted by Canada's coaching staff, as well.

Makar leads all UMass defensemen in scoring through 17 games with nine points on one goal and eight assists and is fifth overall on the squad in points. At +7, he is second on the team in plus-minus and leads UMass with 48 shots on goal. Makar netted his first collegiate goal on Oct. 27 at Merrimack and picked up his first career multi-point game with a pair of helpers at Quinnipiac on Nov. 25.

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Players Mentioned

Cale Makar

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University of Massachusets Athletics