Gaby Portillo
Connector Contributor
The 2026-27 Hockey season for the UMass Lowell Riverhawks starts this week, Friday, October 9th, with their first game on home ice against Clarkson University. Ahead of that game, the Riverhawks played an exhibition game against Concordia University, giving fans a preview of what to expect this season.
Norm Bazin, who’s been the head coach of the Riverhawks for 15 years, shared which aspects of the Concordia exhibition he felt were positive signs for the team. “I liked our tempo. I liked our energy. I like the fact that the guys were on the same page.” Bazin also mentioned that “there was a lot of experiences that the guys can gain,” such as the overtime and shootout portion of the event.
Also, a new captain has been named for the Riverhawks. Jak Vaarwerk is a senior who’s played with the team for his entire college career. “I mean, honestly, I never expected me to be a captain five years ago. I honestly was just like a quiet kid who kind of minded my own business,” Vaarwerk said. “…I’ve kind of grown into a leader [in the past] couple years. So being captain, I don’t really try to think about it that hard. I kind of just wear a letter on my chest and try to be myself.”
In his junior year, Vaarwerk served as an assistant captain within the previous season’s leadership core. “I’ve kind of just tried to play into my own way. And there’s a lot of good things from T.J., [Bentley], and Jay from last year that [I’m] just trying to keep continuing to bring into our team…they’ve done a lot of good things that people look up to, depending on it, it’s their work ethic, or just the way they talk.” Vaarwerk said.
Over the summer break, UMass Lowell acquired 10 new players, a third of its current roster. “[They’re] just a ton of good guys, honestly,” said Vaarwerk. Along with positive attitudes, the newcomers have added much-needed aspects to the team. “… their hockey’s very good too. They’re very fast, which we haven’t had in the past.”
“They’re filling holes that we need, right? We need some speed, and I think we’ve done that. We’ve gotten to be a faster team this year,” said Bazin. He also mentioned how, with graduations, “some key cogs on forward[s]” have gone missing. Over the next ten games, Bazin plans to determine “how we fill those gaps…”
Off the ice, Bazin noted that the chemistry between the veteran and rookie players has grown. “The endearing factor has been that the older guys have taken the younger guys in, and they seem to all get along. And that’s a really good feel around the locker room that people are taking care of each other.”
Looking ahead to the season, both the captain and coach focus on what aspects of gameplay could be improved. This past season, the Riverhawks had over four hundred penalty minutes, the highest in almost 10 years. “I think just if we clean up, just playing a heavier game and being more disciplined, then the penalties will decrease,” Vaarwerk said.
Bazin said, “the biggest challenge is going to be consistency.” As a member of the competitive Hockey East conference, the team needs “initiative and character and depth” to have a good season. These core skills could be the factor that advances Bazin’s goal of improving on last season’s home record.
With the season starting tomorrow, Vaarwerk looks forward to it, for himself and the rookies, saying “…they’re all super excited to play at the Tsongas.” Vaarwerk said that one of his main goals has been to “[make] sure the guys feel comfortable, and they’re excited to play here.”
“I would love to see the students come out to games because we’re excited to play in front of them. And we’d love to get a great student crowd,” said Bazin. With a 6-2-2 record against Clarkson, the Riverhawks hope to open the season with a home win.
