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River Hawks pick up two new recruits

UMass Lowell hockey recruit Reid Stefanson was named the NAHL’s Central Division star for the week of Nov. 7-13. (Courtesy of Minot Minotauros)

Hannah Manning
Connector Editor

The UMass Lowell men’s ice hockey team has padded up reserves for its future and added two new recruits to the program.

Defensemen Anthony Baxter and forward Reid Stefanson announced their commitment to UMass Lowell. Baxter announced his decision via his Twitter account and Stefanson’s NAHL team broke the news on their own Twitter.

With several of the River Hawks’ defensive core graduating over the next two years, Baxter’s commitment could not have come at a better time. The 6’0” 185 lb. left-shooting defenseman has seen steady work in his three and a half seasons in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League (OJHL), posting 65 points in 145 games.

The Oakville, Ont. native has been on a tear in his second season with the Burlington Cougars, putting up three goals and helping out on 25 for 28 points in 43 games. Eight of Baxter’s assists this season have come on the power play.

Baxter is third amongst Cougars defenseman in point totals.

Stefanson is the 24th player on the Minot Minotauros to commit to a Division I program in the past five and a half seasons, according to a press release posted on the Minotauros’ website.

The 6’0” 174 lb. forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba has adapted well to stepping up into the North American Hockey League (NAHL) from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

After making the jump to the NAHL this season, Stefanson has posted 34 points, 15 goals and 19 assists, in 41 games. His point total has him tied for fourth on the Minotauros. His .83 points/game is good for third amongst his teammates.

Baxter and Stefanson join a steady trickle of recruits picking UMass Lowell in recent months, coming after forward Clark Kerner and Chris Schutz committed in the last month.

Hannah Manning

Hannah Manning is the Editor in Chief of the UMass Lowell Connector. A native of Haverhill, Mass., she is a senior working towards her bachelor's in English with a concentration in journalism and professional writing. She likes hockey, music and her fellow staff members at the Connector.

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