Three Minutemen Selected In 2019 NHL Entry Draft

VANCOUVER – University of Massachusetts hockey incoming freshman defenseman Zac Jones, rising sophomore defenseman Marc Del Gaizo and rising sophomore goaltender Filip Lindberg were all selected on day two of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday at Rogers Arena. Jones was taken in the third round (68^th overall) by the New York Rangers, Del Gaizo was picked in the fourth round (109^th overall) by the Nashville Predators and Lindberg was chosen in the seventh round (197^th overall) by the Minnesota Wild.

Jones, Del Gaizo and Lindberg are the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th draft picks in program history, while three Minutemen selected in one draft year ranks third all-time and is the highest total since four were taken in 2005. Jones, at 68^th overall is the fourth-highest draft selection in UMass history, while Del Gaizo and Lindberg are the seventh and eighth Minutemen to be drafted following their freshmen seasons.

"Everyone connected to UMass hockey is very excited for Marc, Fille and Zac," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "They are three very deserving players who will all play major roles on this year's team. Marc and Zac are both modern day NHL defensemen—smart, skilled puck movers who create offense from the blue line and take care of business in the defensive zone. Fille is a goaltender who still has a long way to go to reach his full potential, which is pretty impressive considering the season he just had. Having three players drafted shows the continued elevation of our program. We are very proud of these young men and excited for their families!"

Jones, a native of Glen Allen, Virginia, amassed 52 points in 56 regular season games with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2018-19 and garnered USHL All-Rookie Team and USHL Second All-Star Team honors in addition to being named the league's rookie of the year. He racked up 45 assists to lead all USHL defenseman to go along with seven goals. In six playoff games, Jones added five assists, as well.

This past winter, Jones won a Gold Medal with Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge, tallying four points in six contests with a goal and three assists.

Del Gaizo, a Hockey East Third Team All-Star, Hockey East All-Rookie Team and All-CNH Rookie Team selection, became the first rookie defenseman in Hockey East history to score 10 goals in league play in 2018-19, which tied him for fifth overall on the Hockey East list for goals by a defenseman in a single season. He totaled 17 points in 24 league games (10g, 7a) and was +18, including four power-play goals and one game-winner.

Overall, in 41 games Del Gaizo amassed 29 points, a UMass record for a freshmen defenseman, on 13 goals and 16 assists, which also led all freshmen defensemen nationally. The Basking Ridge, New Jersey native finished second in Hockey East at +31, ranked fourth in Hockey East in defenseman scoring, was third in freshman scoring and tied for ninth in power-play goals (6) and power-play points (14). He was selected as the Hockey East Rookie of the Week on Jan. 7 and was the hero of the national semifinal against Denver, sending UMass into the national championship game with the OT winner.

Lindberg started seven of the final nine games of the 2018-19 season for the Minutemen and appeared in all nine contests, posting a 6-2-0 record over that span with four shutouts, a 1.19 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. The Espoo, Finland native had back-to-back shutouts in the NCAA Northeast Regional and was named to the all-tournament team after helping the Minutemen reach the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. Lindberg tied UMass' single season shutouts record and was twice named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week over March and April, while earning the final Hockey East Goaltender of the Month and National Goaltender of the Month honors of the season.

At the Frozen Four, Lindberg recorded a season-best 37 saves in UMass' 4-3 OT win over Denver that sent UMass into the national championship game. He ended the year with a 1.60 GAA and a .934 save percentage over 17 games (939 minutes) and a record of 11-4-0, ranked second in the nation in goals-against average and save percentage, fourth in winning percentage and tied for 10^th in shutouts.

For continued coverage of UMass Hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.

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Players Mentioned

Marc Del Gaizo

Filip Lindberg

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University of Massachusets Athletics