University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Hockey Caps 2021-22 Recruiting Class With Addition Of Ufko
June 12, 2021 | Hockey
The 5-10, 181-pound right shot defenseman is a Clark Cup champion and 43rd among North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final 2021 rankings.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey has added 5-10, 181-pound right shot defenseman Ryan Ufko to its roster for 2021-22, it was announced on Saturday. Ufko, who is 43rd among North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final 2021 rankings, comes to UMass after helping the Chicago Steel to the 2020-21 United States Hockey League (USHL) Clark Cup Championship. He joins graduate transfer forwards Matt Baker and Cam Donaldson, transfer defenseman Slava Demin and freshman forwards Eric DeDobbelaer, Ryan Lautenbach, Taylor Makar and Lucas Mercuri, freshman defenseman Scott Morrow and goaltender Luke Pavicich as the 10th and final member of the Minutemen's incoming recruiting class.
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"Ryan is a highly-skilled right shot defenseman who thinks the game exceptionally well and will remind our fans of Zac Jones," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "He is an offensive-minded defenseman who will help add to our offense but will also defend well in his own end. We expect Ryan to be drafted in this summer's NHL Draft and will add to our extensive list of NHL defensemen and prospects. Ryan is coming off of the USHL Championship where he led all defensemen in scoring for his Chicago Steel team. Ryan is also an impressive student and will add to our strong culture."
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In two seasons with Chicago, Ufko totaled 55 points on 13 goals and 42 assists over 104 career contests. This past season, the Smithtown, New York native amassed 39 points in 53 regular season contests, good for third in the USHL among defensemen while ranking fourth in assists (29) and tied for fourth in goals (10). Twenty of his 39 points came on the power play (3g, 17a). In the 2021 postseason, Ufko recorded seven points (1g, 6a) while helping the Steel to the title, tying for most points by a defensemen in the league.
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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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"Ryan is a highly-skilled right shot defenseman who thinks the game exceptionally well and will remind our fans of Zac Jones," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "He is an offensive-minded defenseman who will help add to our offense but will also defend well in his own end. We expect Ryan to be drafted in this summer's NHL Draft and will add to our extensive list of NHL defensemen and prospects. Ryan is coming off of the USHL Championship where he led all defensemen in scoring for his Chicago Steel team. Ryan is also an impressive student and will add to our strong culture."
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In two seasons with Chicago, Ufko totaled 55 points on 13 goals and 42 assists over 104 career contests. This past season, the Smithtown, New York native amassed 39 points in 53 regular season contests, good for third in the USHL among defensemen while ranking fourth in assists (29) and tied for fourth in goals (10). Twenty of his 39 points came on the power play (3g, 17a). In the 2021 postseason, Ufko recorded seven points (1g, 6a) while helping the Steel to the title, tying for most points by a defensemen in the league.
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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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