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UMass Lowell 2024-2025 Season: Expectations are.....Expectations

Question for fellow Lowell fans. The past couple of years, I've defended Bazin and flat out said he had no chance of being fired. Worse comes to worse, and this year is another colossal failure (miss the playoffs or first round in the HE playoffs and out) ... would you want to see him given another chance? IMHO, I want to immediately say he'd have to go but with a bunch of college hockey newbies on the roster, if they see improvement, maybe they do keep him around a bit longer? I can't remember how long his contract is.
 
UMLFan said:
Question for fellow Lowell fans. The past couple of years, I've defended Bazin and flat out said he had no chance of being fired. Worse comes to worse, and this year is another colossal failure (miss the playoffs or first round in the HE playoffs and out) ... would you want to see him given another chance? IMHO, I want to immediately say he'd have to go but with a bunch of college hockey newbies on the roster, if they see improvement, maybe they do keep him around a bit longer? I can't remember how long his contract is.
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Yes, definitely. In fact, if the team didn’t have these intriguing CHL players coming in to give us some hope, I would have wanted him gone after this past season. Can you imagine how bleak things might look for the coming season if the recent ruling hadn’t made those players eligible? The USHL/BCHL players already committed did not have encouraging seasons.

I’m particularly interested to see if the team starts strong offensively while the new players are still learning the system, only to regress in the second half. That would be another indicator that it's time.
 
When do tickets for single games go on sale for hockey and basketball? It looks like just season tickets or 5 game packs for purchase right now through goriverhawks.com site.
 
UMLFan said:
Question for fellow Lowell fans. The past couple of years, I've defended Bazin and flat out said he had no chance of being fired. Worse comes to worse, and this year is another colossal failure (miss the playoffs or first round in the HE playoffs and out) ... would you want to see him given another chance? IMHO, I want to immediately say he'd have to go but with a bunch of college hockey newbies on the roster, if they see improvement, maybe they do keep him around a bit longer? I can't remember how long his contract is.
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I’m nearly certain he is in the last year of his deal. I am a Norm fan but the last 8 years have been pretty average while he gets paid pretty handsomely. And in these last 8 years we’ve watched our sister school rise to National prominence, become a destination for elite talent and win a national title. If Lowell falls flat on their face this year or finishes at .500 then I wouldn’t be shocked if AD Coutts (who comes from the hockey power house that is Denver) thinks it’s time to move in a different direction and I most likely wouldn’t be angry with that decision.
 
UMLFan said:
Question for fellow Lowell fans. The past couple of years, I've defended Bazin and flat out said he had no chance of being fired. Worse comes to worse, and this year is another colossal failure (miss the playoffs or first round in the HE playoffs and out) ... would you want to see him given another chance? IMHO, I want to immediately say he'd have to go but with a bunch of college hockey newbies on the roster, if they see improvement, maybe they do keep him around a bit longer? I can't remember how long his contract is.
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It really doesn't matter who's coaching the squad at best or middle of the pack team. That's just the way it is.
 
UMLFan said:
Question for fellow Lowell fans. The past couple of years, I've defended Bazin and flat out said he had no chance of being fired. Worse comes to worse, and this year is another colossal failure (miss the playoffs or first round in the HE playoffs and out) ... would you want to see him given another chance? IMHO, I want to immediately say he'd have to go but with a bunch of college hockey newbies on the roster, if they see improvement, maybe they do keep him around a bit longer? I can't remember how long his contract is.
Click to expand...
The contract expires at the end of 2026 - 2027. I'm very intrigued to see how CHL production translates to the NCAA. Not just for the Lowell players but every player making the jump. My biggest concern is the defense and goaltending. Almost an entirely new backend, and three new goalies. I'm assuming it's Elliott's job to lose and he did have a great season with London, but the team in front of him was also a wagon. When your D core consists of Sam Dickinson (future NHL #1), Henry Brzustewicz, and Oliver Bonk, it's a safe to say you won't have to stand on your head too often. Let's see how he does against seasoned D1 competition.
 
Middle Street said:
Yes, definitely. In fact, if the team didn’t have these intriguing CHL players coming in to give us some hope, I would have wanted him gone after this past season. Can you imagine how bleak things might look for the coming season if the recent ruling hadn’t made those players eligible? The USHL/BCHL players already committed did not have encouraging seasons.

I’m particularly interested to see if the team starts strong offensively while the new players are still learning the system, only to regress in the second half. That would be another indicator that it's time.
Click to expand...
I will just say that Cole Lonsdale had a good season in the BCHL scoring just over a PPG. It's not the CHL, but from everything I've read his speed seems to be his greatest strength, which (hopefully) will help at this level. If it is a repeat of last season with the second half regression I wonder if they would have Bazin stay for the last year of the contract or immediately pivot. If it means keeping good players who would otherwise jump ship then you have to let him go.
 
I know Lowell will always have the disadvantage of not being in a great location and not having money to throw around but my core disappointment with. Norm Bazin has been his inability to maintain or improve on the talent on his rosters. Especially as many other programs were going through transitions or troubles. Id like to believe he remained too fixated to remaining in a certain role for his players and so he didn't try to get certain players because they had higher skill levels.

We have also heard that certain players didn't like being in a counterattack heavy system thinking it hindered their development

I think the CHL talent he has gotten implies Norm has a great reputation in the hockey spheres. I have absolute trust in him for man management and on ice stuff.

Its just thst the recent teams have been dreadfully slow and generally underskilled. Even the last team to make the NCAAs were slow as mud but held Denver close out in Colorado.

I think frustration is acceptable. I think I've said this before that if we could replace Norm Bazin with a guy with a funny mustache named "Borm Nazin" then I would do it. I think at some level we arent going to do better than having him but I think he made some choices that took the squads backwards.

I wish it weren't so.
 
For the homecoming game against WMU on Oct. 18th, it says pre-game music. Anyone know what that is? Is this music outside the arena at some sort of tailgating event?
 
Sparkee said:
For the homecoming game against WMU on Oct. 18th, it says pre-game music. Anyone know what that is? Is this music outside the arena at some sort of tailgating event?
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Outdoor Concert Featuring Jilly Martin ’09​

3:30-5:30 p.m.
Behind the Tsongas Center
Enjoy an afternoon of live country music with rising star Jilly Martin! Enjoy great tunes, tasty food and refreshing drinks available for purchase. Grab your friends and soak in the fall vibes with the UML community! This concert is hosted by Athletics.


Details on theme nights are here:
goriverhawks.com

2025-26 Hockey Promotions

2025-26 Hockey Promotions
goriverhawks.com goriverhawks.com
 
Sparkee said:
She actually has been opening for some country stars. This is better than I was expecting. Jilly Martin is a Lowell grad. Good stuff… https://www.facebook.com/JillyMartinMusic/photos

I’m going to the game that day and will check her show out. I’m going to be a Lowell fan for just one day.
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Yes, she is very good and is a proud UML alum. She has played during games several times over the years where they set up a small area in the Tsongas concourse and she and her band play in between periods and after the game.
 
Lowell picked 7th by the HE writers and broadcasters.

Mike Machnik
@MikeMachnikCHN

2025-26 Hockey East Writers & Broadcasters' Association (HEWBA) Poll Results:
1. BU (12) 151
2. Maine (1) 129
3. BC 127
4. Providence (1) 107
5. Connecticut 96 Massachusetts 96
7. Massachusetts-Lowell 56
8. Northeastern 55
9. Merrimack 46
10. UNH 39
11. Vermont 22

2025-26 Hockey East Writers & Broadcasters Association (HEWBA) Preseason All-HE Team:
F Cole Eiserman (So., BU)
F James Hagens (So, BC)
F Joey Muldowney (So., Connecticut)
D Francesco Dell'Elce (So., Massachusetts)
D Cole Hutson (So., BU)
G Albin Boija (Jr., Maine)
 
boblav1 said:
Lowell picked 7th by the HE writers and broadcasters.

Mike Machnik
@MikeMachnikCHN

2025-26 Hockey East Writers & Broadcasters' Association (HEWBA) Poll Results:
1. BU (12) 151
2. Maine (1) 129
3. BC 127
4. Providence (1) 107
5. Connecticut 96 Massachusetts 96
7. Massachusetts-Lowell 56
8. Northeastern 55
9. Merrimack 46
10. UNH 39
11. Vermont 22

2025-26 Hockey East Writers & Broadcasters Association (HEWBA) Preseason All-HE Team:
F Cole Eiserman (So., BU)
F James Hagens (So, BC)
F Joey Muldowney (So., Connecticut)
D Francesco Dell'Elce (So., Massachusetts)
D Cole Hutson (So., BU)
G Albin Boija (Jr., Maine)
Click to expand...
Some things never change
 
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