University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts To Celebrate 30 Years Of Division I Hockey In 2023-24
October 06, 2023 | Hockey
On October 23, 1993, the University of Massachusetts hockey team took the ice for the first time as a Division I program, taking on Merrimack in North Andover. Thus began a new era for a program that was shuttered at the conclusion of the 1978-79 season, despite winning the ECAC Division II National Championship in 1972.
Fast forwarding to the present day, as we enter the 2023-24 campaign, University of Massachusetts Athletics will celebrate 30 years of Division I hockey in Amherst throughout the upcoming season. In addition to honoring the 1993-94 squad, the top moments from the past 30 seasons will be highlighted on social media and at UMass hockey home games.
1993-94 season recap from the 1994 Index University of Massachusetts Yearbook - Written by Matt Vautour
After 15 years in hibernation, ice hockey returned to the University of Massachusetts and its first season was bigger and better than ever before. The Minutemen went 20-9 in their return campaign, playing a mixture of Division I, II and III teams.
Coach Joe Mallen was excited about his predominantly freshmen team's first year success. "We've done absolutely over and above anything that I ever thought was possible."
Goaltending, defense and offense were three impressive areas for the team. Highly recruited Brain Reagan joined the two returning netminders, producing a three-way battle for the top goalie job. David Kilduff was the power force for the Minutemen, posting a 14-4 record on the season, and winning the team's first victory against Villanova. Rich Moriarty played well in the final stretch of the season, including solid performances in UMass' only win against a Division I opponent. "We showed a lot of promise in the goal," said Mallen. "All the men did a good job for us all. The goalie situation was a great situation and competitive situation." The team netted 176 goals in their 29 games.
Excellent defensive athletes included Rich Alger and Armand Latulippe. Alger was the first player to commit to UMass and Latulippe scored the first goal for the team. Captain Jaynen Rissling missed the first five games of the season but still came through for his team in the end, helping to lead the Minutemen to a string of 20 victories.
The Minuteman offense was potent all season. The nucleus of Rob Bonneau, Blair Wagar, Mike Evans, Blair Manning, Warren Norris, Dennis Wright, and Tom Perry will be counted on to build on their impressive first seasons to contribute to the team next year.
If the future goes as well as the first season, Mallen hopes to be a mainstay at UMass. After less than a year as Coach, Mallen has indeed made his mark. "I would like to make a name for UMass hockey and to make my imprint on the program for a long time to come . . . This is going to be a special year when I look back, because it's the year we put UMass hockey back on the map."
This is going to be a special year when I look back, because it's the year we put UMass hockey back on the map.Coach Joe Mallen on the 1993-94 inaugural Division I season
The 1993-94 roster was comprised of 22 freshmen and one senior, former UMass baseball player Steve Corradi, and a football All-Yankee Conference defensive end, Brian Corcoran.
