WELSCH RETURNING FOR FIFTH SEASON AT UML
Engum in the transfer portal; Stella inks professional deal
Umass Lowell senior goaltender Henry Welsch (Lakeville, Minn.) has announced his intent to return for a fifth year with the River Hawk hockey program.
“I am extremely excited about next year’s team,” said Welsch. “Especially when I see the list of who is coming back, combined with the incoming class. I feel returning to Lowell gives me the best opportunity of becoming an NHL player.”
This past season, Welsch was between the pipes in 22 games for the River Hawks, posting a 2.45 goals against average and .907 save percentage. His .913 save percentage against conference opponents was good for a tie for fourth in the Hockey East, while his 2.34 conference goals against average ranked him in the top five. He also made a career-high 46 saves in a 1-0 shutout at Uconn on Oct. 28, helping him earn his first of two Hockey East Goaltender of the Week awards on the year.
Welsch is completing work towards a degree in mechanical engineering this April.
“We are ecstatic to have Henry announce he is coming back next year,” said head coach Norm Bazin. “He is such an impact player. He ran into an unfortunate injury this year, forcing him to miss a solid month. This addition is a major piece that complements a strong incoming class. We look forward to competing in the national picture once again.”
It’s rare for a player to stay with the same program for five seasons, although defenseman Jon Mcdonald and forward Connor Sodergren, a Tewksbury native, played four seasons for Bazin and then spent their post-graduate season at UML in recent years.
Another senior, defenseman Brehdan Engum, has joined the NCAA transfer portal and will play his fifth season at another program.
Engum played 114 games at UML. The 6-3, 220-pound native of Burnsville, Minn., netted three goals and 15 assists.
He had a 0-4-4 line in 34 games this past season.
Meanwhile, graduate student Jake Stellas, who spent two seasons at UML, has signed with the Calgary Flames’ ECHL affiliate, the Rapid City Rush.
“Jake has been a tireless worker and an all-situations player for our team for the past two years,” said Bazin. “We’re excited he is getting a chance to start his professional career with Rapid City. This will allow him the opportunity to start climbing the chain of professional hockey. We wish him well.”
Serving as a captain for the 2023-24 squad, Stella scored three goals and dished out six assists for nine points in 29 games. The forward also tallied 22 blocks.
EX-LC star in portal
Another local product, former Lowell Catholic High School star Andrius Kulbis-marino, has also joined the portal.
Kulbis-marino, who led the Crusaders to the MIAA Division 2 state title as a junior, was a four-year player for Sacred Heart University. He graduated from Lowell Catholic in 2019.
The 6-foot, 185-pound defenseman played in 96 games for the Connecticut school, collecting 11 goals and 28 points. He sported 5-5-10 numbers in 36 games this past season. Kulbis-marino is a Methuen native.
Baseball
UML SPLITS >> Umass Lowell took game one, 10-2, before falling in game two, 11-1, during an America East doubleheader Friday against Ualbany.
In the opener, junior Alex Luccini (Hopedale) tallied two hits, two runs and three RBI to lead the River Hawks (7-13, 1-1 AE). Junior Brandon Fish (Londonderry, N.H.) added three RBI with a triple while senior Trey Brown (Rochester, N.Y.) and graduate student Ryan Proto (Centerville) each tallied two runs.
In the second game, Fish tallied two hits to lead the River Hawks. Senior Fritz Genther (Kingston, N.Y.) scored the lone run.