LOWELL — The 2025-26 UMass Lowell hockey roster continues to take shape.
As of now, next season’s River Hawk team will feature eight newcomers, but that number is expected to grow over the coming weeks.
Norm Bazin’s staff is adding a pair of National Hockey League draft picks. Both recent additions are big, rangy defensemen from the Canadian Hockey League.
Nate Misskey, a 6-4, 212-pound blueliner from Melford, Sask., is starring for the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League.
A fifth-round pick (143rd overall) of the San Jose Sharks in 2024, Misskey is a right-shot defenseman. In 63 regular-season games for Victoria, he netted 10 goals and 37 assists. In six playoff games, he’s dished out three assists.
In three seasons with Victoria, the two-time assistant captain has played in 179 games, compiling 22 goals and 73 assists.
Tnias Mathurin (Courtesy photo)
Also joining the UML program is Tnias Mathurin, a 6-3, 201-pound defenseman from Ajax, Ont. He’s a member of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. He was drafted in the fifth round (137th overall) in 2022 by the Detroit Red Wings.
In 49 regular-season games this season, he netted seven goals and 16 assists, but ended with four points over his final five games. He’s missed the last couple of weeks of play due to an injury.
Mathurin played the previous three seasons with North Bay. In 145 regular-season OHL games, he has 13 goals and 42 assists.
“We’re looking for immediate contributions because they have experience and size,” Bazin said. “They both skate well. I’m optimistic we’re going to be a better skating team next year than we were last year. I think skating is everything. It’s faster every year.”
Bazin said Misskey and Mathurin will be able to play in all situations.
UML’s defense will be revamped due to the graduation losses of several players.
In addition to Misskey and Mathurin, the River Hawks are bringing in three other defensemen – Luke Shipley of Brandon (WHL), Josh Mori of Edmonton (WHL) and James Johnson of Nanaimo (British Columbia Hockey League).
Goaltender Austin Elliott, who is having a fantastic season for London (OHL), is also committed to UML. Forwards on the way to campus are Diego Buttazzoni of Portland (WHL) and Niagara University transfer Jay Ahearn.
Champs in Lowell
The 2025-26 schedule has yet to be released, but Bazin confirmed that Western Michigan will make an early-season appearance at the Tsongas Center.
Western Michigan captured the national championship last Saturday in St. Louis with a 6-2 win over Boston University.
The River Hawks recently completed a 16-16-4 season. Two players from this year’s team, forward Scout Truman (Minnesota Duluth) and defenseman Mitchell Becker (Niagara), will play elsewhere next season.
Still in the transfer portal are forwards Girts Silkalns, Roc Truman and Dylan Cook.