UMass hockey welcomes three transfers to boost forward lines

By RYAN AMES

Staff Writer

Mikey DeAngelo, Matthew Wilde and Owen Mehlenbacher make up the three transfer additions brought in by the UMass hockey team this offseason.

DeAngelo came to western Massachusetts following one season with Michigan State, while Wilde (RIT) and Mehlenbacher (Wisconsin) spent two years at their previous programs before they arrived in Amherst as upperclassmen.

The Gazette spoke to all three newcomers at a recent Minutemen captains practice, which also coincided with the announcement of seniors Owen Murray and Lucas Olvestad being chosen as captains for the 2025-26 season.

Given the departures UMass experienced to its forward lines this offseason (four NHL signees, three graduations), each of the three portal adds will likely see consistent minutes on the ice, at least to start the season and cited those opportunities as a reason for joining the Minutemen.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I had a little more opportunity and somewhere that could use me a little more than where I was at last year,” DeAngelo said. “I talked with coach [Greg Carvel] and within 24 hours I called him back and made my decision, it was a no-brainer. He sounded like somebody that could really help me advance my game to the next level and he built something here that I want to be a part of.”

On a loaded Spartans squad that won 26 games during the 2024-25 campaign, DeAngelo primarily slotted in as a bottom-six forward, but still put up a respectable nine points in 33 games.

Mehlenbacher, who also fled from the Big 10, left a similar situation from the Badgers as the 2022 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings (201st overall) posted 10 points in 51 career games.

“They said there will be a good amount of opportunity [here] with guys leaving,” Mehlenbacher said. “We have a very deep team this year so we’ll see what happens. I’m just excited to do the best I can, be a big power forward out there and play to the best of my abilities and play my role.”

Wilde has the most shine to his game of the three transfers as the former Tiger filled the net 37 times during his two seasons at RIT. While competition within the Atlantic Hockey America (RIT’s conference) is not nearly the same as in Hockey East, Wilde revealed playing in arguably the best conference in Division I hockey was a major selling point for him choosing UMass.

“That was a lot of it,” Wilde said. “Right when I hit the portal, there’s a lot of great conferences in college, but in my head it was just Hockey East. You could be a mid-pack team in Hockey East and be a top-10 school in the nation.”

All three then delved into what they consider to be their strengths when out on the ice.

“I’d say the biggest thing that I’m doing well is using my speed,” DeAngelo said. “That’s a big part of my game, I try to implement [that] as much as I can.”

“Power forward, two-way centerman,” Mehlenbacher said. “Good on faceoffs, good down low in the offensive zone. Around the net is kind of where I live so I feel like that’s the strength of my game. Being big, heavy, winning battles and getting pucks to guys that can score goals.”

DeAngelo and Mehlenbacher added they both have extensive experience at center which will help the Minutemen fill all four center spots up the middle this coming season.

“I’d say high i.q., goalscorer, good touch in front of the net, can make plays in the o-zone,” Wilde said. “Not the fastest guy but I feel I can control the pace pretty well.”

While he considers himself more of a goalscorer, Wilde stated he’s confident in his playmaking abilities as well.

Joining the three transfers within the forward group will be the six-man Class of 2029, plus returners Jack Musa, Daniel Jencko, Cam O’Neill, James Duerr, Nick VanTassell and Bo Cosman.

The most pressing question surrounding this UMass squad at this point is who will be able to help Musa and to a lesser extent, Jencko, put the puck in the back of the net in 2025-26? Incoming freshman Vaclav Nestrasil, the 25th overall selection in June’s NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, has the skill level to do so, but freshmen are never a sure thing.

That’s why Carvel prioritized forwards from the portal this offseason, because an influx of experienced players can be the difference between a talented team and an elite one.

“I remember going to college last year, not knowing what to expect, thinking I was ready, but honestly, you’re not really sure until you start playing games and getting the feel for things,” DeAngelo said. “Now this time around, I know what to expect, I got the experience playing a year already. Seeing those guys that moved on, now it’s about filling those shoes.”

Official practices for the Minutemen are set to commence in early September.