University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS
Chaffee Signs Entry Level Contract With Minnesota Wild
March 24, 2020 | Hockey
The 2019 First-Team All-American and Hockey East Scoring Champion totaled 29 points for the Minutemen in 2019-20.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey junior forward Mitchell Chaffee has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility, the organization announced on Tuesday. Chaffee, who served as a co-captain for the Minutemen in 2019-20, becomes the fifth player in head coach Greg Carvel's UMass tenure to ink an NHL deal.
"Our entire UMass hockey program is excited for the opportunity in the NHL that Mitchell has earned," said Carvel. "He has been on the forefront of the culture change within our program since the day he stepped on campus. His play on the ice, his success in the classroom and his leadership amongst his peers have all been impressive to witness. Mitchell is a rare power forward who plays a heavy game and can score goals. He will be a great addition to the Minnesota Wild organization and the UMass coaching staff is extremely proud!"
Chaffee finished second for the Minutemen in scoring this season with 29 points on 16 goals and 13 assists and was +16 over 30 games, including three power-play goals, one shorthanded goal and three game winners. The Rockford, Michigan native registered 17 points over 20 Hockey East games on 11 goals and six assists in 2019-20 with all three of his game-winning goals coming during league play. The forward ranked 17th nationally in goals per-game (0.53) and tied for seventh in Hockey East in goal scoring overall and for game-winning goals.
Chaffee enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2018-19 which saw him garner CCM/AHCA Hockey First-Team All-America honors and earn the title of Hockey East Scoring Champion in addition to receiving the Herb Gallagher Award (New England's best forward) and earning New England All-Star and Hockey East First-Team All-Star recognition, while helping UMass reach the NCAA title game and win the Hockey East Regular Season title with a program-record 31 wins. Overall, in 2018-19 he registered 42 points over 40 contests on a team-high 18 goals with 24 assists and a plus/minus rating of +21.
Chaffee finishes his collegiate career with 95 points on 47 goals and 48 assists over 109 games. He leaves UMass tied for second in career game-winning goals (8), fourth in career plus-minus (+32), tied for ninth in career goals, tied for 11th (13) in power-play goals and tied for 16th in career points all-time.
For continued coverage of UMass Hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
"Our entire UMass hockey program is excited for the opportunity in the NHL that Mitchell has earned," said Carvel. "He has been on the forefront of the culture change within our program since the day he stepped on campus. His play on the ice, his success in the classroom and his leadership amongst his peers have all been impressive to witness. Mitchell is a rare power forward who plays a heavy game and can score goals. He will be a great addition to the Minnesota Wild organization and the UMass coaching staff is extremely proud!"
Chaffee finished second for the Minutemen in scoring this season with 29 points on 16 goals and 13 assists and was +16 over 30 games, including three power-play goals, one shorthanded goal and three game winners. The Rockford, Michigan native registered 17 points over 20 Hockey East games on 11 goals and six assists in 2019-20 with all three of his game-winning goals coming during league play. The forward ranked 17th nationally in goals per-game (0.53) and tied for seventh in Hockey East in goal scoring overall and for game-winning goals.
Chaffee enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2018-19 which saw him garner CCM/AHCA Hockey First-Team All-America honors and earn the title of Hockey East Scoring Champion in addition to receiving the Herb Gallagher Award (New England's best forward) and earning New England All-Star and Hockey East First-Team All-Star recognition, while helping UMass reach the NCAA title game and win the Hockey East Regular Season title with a program-record 31 wins. Overall, in 2018-19 he registered 42 points over 40 contests on a team-high 18 goals with 24 assists and a plus/minus rating of +21.
Chaffee finishes his collegiate career with 95 points on 47 goals and 48 assists over 109 games. He leaves UMass tied for second in career game-winning goals (8), fourth in career plus-minus (+32), tied for ninth in career goals, tied for 11th (13) in power-play goals and tied for 16th in career points all-time.
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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