Westfield, Mass.— Plymouth State, the 2019-20 MASCAC Champions, have been picked to win the 2021-22 MASCAC Men’s Ice Hockey Championship as voted on by the coaches from around the conference. Last year’s season was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The Panthers earned six of the seven first place votes for 36 points. They finished the 2019-20 season 13-3-3 in conference action. Returning to the ice is the 2019-20 MASCAC Rookie of the Year Myles Abbate. During his freshman season, he closed out his first year first on the team in goals with 14, third in game-winning goals with three and led all freshman in the league in scoring with 23 points on 14 goals and nine assists.

Sitting in second place is Fitchburg State with 29 points. The Falcons finished with a 11-3-4 mark during the league slate. Back in goal for the Falcons is Brian McGrath the 2019-20 MASCAC Player of the Year. At the end of the regular season, he was atop the conference in goals against average at 1.97, saves with 797, save percentage at .945 and winning percentage at .727 with four shutouts on the year. 

Landing in third with 28 points and the final first place vote is UMass Dartmouth. The Corsairs were 10-6-2 at the end of league action in 2019-20. During the 2019-20 season, Dillon Radin registered 13 goals and added 13 assists for 26 points to earn a spot on the All-Conference team.

Westfield State is fourth with 20 points. The Vikings had a record of 9-7-2 during their last conference schedule. Jake Ratcliffe returns for Westfield State after netting 11 goals and assisting on 11 other during the 2019-20 season.
 

Sitting in fifth with 17 points is Salem State who had four wins in MASCAC play in 2019-20. Back for the Vikings is Billy McGwin who had 15 points on seven goals and eight assists to help the team land a spot in the conference tournament.

Rounding out the 2021-22 preseason poll are Worcester State and Framingham State in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Lancers had four win in conference action in 2019-20. Returning is Kevin Drevitch who in his first year with the team collected 17 points on six goals and 11 assists. For the Rams, who had three wins in MASCAC competition, Bryan Whelan is back after netting six goals plus three assists for nine points in 2019-20.   

Over the next week, the MASCAC men’s ice hockey season will get underway with a few non-conference contests then the start of conference play. For all the game schedules, scores, stats and recaps, use mascac.com. 

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Plymouth State (6) - 36 points

2. Fitchburg State - 29 points

3. UMass Dartmouth (1) - 28 points

4. Westfield State - 20 points

5. Salem State - 17 points

6. Worcester State - 10 points

7. Framingham State - 7 points