The UMass hockey team has finalized its incoming class as 12 newcomers are expected to hit the ice for the Minutemen during the 2026-27 season.

Seven forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders make up UMass’ class, with several newcomers belonging or soon-to-be belonging to NHL clubs as draft picks. Two of the 12 players were transfer additions for the Minutemen.

Here’s a breakdown of the dozen names joining the maroon and white next fall:

Maxim Masse, F — Masse is the most intriguing name of the UMass newcomers and for good reason as the Rimouski, Quebec native won the QMJHL’s MVP award after posting 102 points (51 goals) in 63 games for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens last season. Past winners of the QMJHL’s MVP trophy include NHL greats Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.

“Max is a highly-touted Canadian prospect known for his strong offensive instincts and well-rounded game,” UMass head coach Greg Carvel said in a news release. “He has earned attention for his scoring ability, vision on the ice and consistent effort in all three zones. As he continues to develop, Max will be a force and an impact player.  We look forward to the impact he will make.”

Masse was a third-round selection (66th overall) of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Tobias Trejbal, G — If not for Masse, Trejbal would be the Minutemen’s most talked-about freshman as the 6-foot-4, right-catch goaltender will likely slot in as UMass’ starting netminder this upcoming season, following Michael Hrabal’s departure to the NHL. Like Hrabal, Trejbal was born and raised in Czechia and played his junior hockey in the USHL. With the Youngstown Phantoms in 2025-26, Trejbal totaled a 2.16 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in 42 games. Trejbal will likely be one of the first goalies off the board at this week’s NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York.

“Tobias is a Czech goaltending prospect known for his athleticism and competitiveness,” Carvel said. “He uses his size well to seal the net, while his quick reflexes and lateral movement allow him to make difficult saves in tight and recover effectively on second chances. Tobias is a highly touted prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft and we look forward to watching his name be called.”

Samu Alalauri, D — All signs point to Alalauri being the Minutemen’s most impactful freshmen blueliner as the Lahti, Finland native is a top-20 international prospect, per NHL Central Scouting, for this week’s NHL Draft. In five games for Finland at this past year’s World Junior Championships, Alalauri netted a goal and four assists for the bronze-medalists, plus served as an alternate captain.

“Samu is a promising Finnish defenseman who has steadily risen as a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft,” Carvel said. “A right-shot blueliner, standing nearly 6-foot-3, he combines size and a mature two-way game. Samu is known for his smooth skating, ability to close gaps and efficient puck movement. UMass fans will enjoy watching Samu grow throughout his time here.”

Barrett Dexheimer, D — The first member of UMass’ incoming class to be announced, Dexheimer will help add depth to an already strong Minutemen blueline. From Edina, Minnesota, Dexheimer played 117 career games in the USHL the past two seasons, including with the Clark Cup winning Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2024-25. Current UMass rising sophomores Vaclav Nestrasil and Jack Galanek were teammates with Dexheimer in Muskegon.

Max Curran, F — Another forward with an impressive offensive pedigree, Curran has the tools to be an immediate contributor for the Minutemen come October. Curran averaged more than a point-per-game in two out of three seasons in the WHL and has shown to be a versatile option as a forward that can be plugged in up the middle or on the wings. The Praha, Czechia product was picked 161st overall in the fifth round by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Melvin Novotny, F — Novotny will have every opportunity to crack inside UMass’ top-nine forward bunch as the cerebral winger was a constant producer for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks last season with 57 points (22 goals) in 48 games. Novotny, who hails from Taby, Sweden, was selected in the seventh round (195th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Mathieu Talliefier, D — Closing out the newcomers on the back end, Talliefier comes to the Minutemen as a steady, two-way defensemen from the QMJHL. While not one to stuff the stat sheet, the Richelieu, Quebec native is expected to bring maturity and leadership qualities to UMass as a 20-year-old freshman.

Gavin Cornforth, F — The first of two transfer additions, expect Cornforth to be a staple on the Minutemen’s bottom six in 2026-27. The former Boston College Eagle closed out last season with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats where the Boston product had 30 points (12 goals) in 29 regular-season games.

Egor Barabanov, F — Despite growing up in St. Petersburg, Russia, Barabanov is familiar with the North American style of play since crossing the Atlantic Ocean to further his hockey career more than half a decade ago. Barabanov was stellar for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit in 2025-26, concluding with 91 points (28 goals) in 68 games. Barabanov is eligible for this week’s NHL Draft.

Jasper Kuhta, F — Kuhta’s first season in North America was a prolific one as the Helsinki, Finland native racked up 63 points (32 goals) in 62 games for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s last winter. Depending on how quickly Kuhta adjusts to the college level, UMass may have found a diamond in the rough as Kuhta will likely be chosen during this week’s NHL Draft.

John McNelis, F — McNelis will look to carve out more of a role with the Minutemen after only appearing in 19 games for Boston University last season. Look for McNelis, who is from Potomac, Maryland, to be one of the quicker skaters on the roster next year.

Ethan Eskit, G — The final player announced to be joining UMass next season, odds are Eskit serves as the Minutemen’s third option in net. In 53 games with the WHL’s Victoria Royals in 2025-26, Eskit put together a 2.99 GAA and a .904 save percentage with one shutout.