Hockey Signs Five to NLIs

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey has signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent this week during the November early signing period, head coach Greg Carvel announced on Friday. The group is comprised of two forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender and four of the five were rated on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary Players to Watch List for 2016-17.

Mitchell Chaffee – F – 6'0" – 202 – Rockford, Mich./Bloomington (USHL)

Coach Carvel on Chaffee: "Mitch is a power forward that has a heavy shot. He consistently wins battles and opens up space for teammates with his strength, being a bull in a china shop. Mitch has a great ability to make plays and take pucks to the net."

Currently in second season with the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League (USHL) … Has 15 points on eight goals and seven assists in 64 career USHL games with a +7 rating … Has a goal and an assist in six games with Bloomington thus far in 2016-17 … Played with Honeybaked at the U16 and U18 levels in 2014-15.

Mario Ferraro – D – 5'11" – 179 – King City, Ontario/Des Moines (USHL)

Coach Carvel on Ferraro: "Mario is a smart, competitive, puck-moving defensemen that has quick hands and ability to create offense off the rush. Mario is smart on the power play and should bring some offense from the blue line."

Rated by NHL Central Scouting … Has six points on a goal and five assists with a +5 rating in 11 games thus far with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL … Previously spent two seasons (2014-16) with the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) … Logged 56 points on eight goals and 48 assists over 116 games in the OJHL … Helped Toronto win an OJHL championship in 2014-15 … Was an OJHL Second Team All-Prospect selection in 2015-16.

John Leonard – F – 5'11" – 185 – Amherst, Mass./Green Bay (USHL)

Coach Carvel on Leonard: "John is an athletic forward that has a knack for scoring. He has slick hands and the ability to score highlight reel goals. John will be an asset on our power play, because he can make something out of nothing with his heavy shot and quick hands."

Rated by NHL Central Scouting … In second season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL … Has appeared in 66 career games to date with Green Bay, registering 16 points on 10 goals and six assists … Total includes seven points (5g, 2a) in 14 games this season … Amassed 151 points over 72 games on 91 goals and 60 assists over three seasons at Springfield Cathedral … Led all Massachusetts state high school players in scoring in 2014-15 with 75 points (47g, 28a) … Selected as the 2014-15 Wester Mass. Player of the Year … Also named the Amo 'Betts' Bessone Award recipient that season as Western Mass.' top high school hockey player … ESPN Boston's Mr. Hockey, Boston Herald Dream Team and SB Nation College Hockey Massachusetts High School Player of the Year honoree in 2014-15 … Played for Team USA in the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and posted a goal and an assist in four games.

Cale Makar – D – 5'10" – 176 – Calgary, Alberta/Brooks (AJHL)

Coach Carvel on Makar: "Cale is a dynamic offensive defensemen who should have an immediate impact on our power play, as well as creating offense from the blue line. Cale thinks the game at a high level, skates well, plays an up-tempo game and he loves to compete."

Rated by NHL Central Scouting … Current member of the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) … Has 82 points on 19 goals and 63 assists over 76 career regular season games with Brooks … Total includes 22 points (8g, 14a) in 19 games thus far in 2016-17 … Was the 2016 RBC Cup Top Defenceman and Top Scorer as well as being named the RBC Cup Most Valuable Player … Won an AJHL title with Brooks in 2015-16 and was tabbed the AJHL Rookie of the Year … Also selected to the AJHL (South) All-Rookie and All-Star teams in 2015-16 … Won a gold medal with Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in 2015-16 and was selected to the World Junior A Challenge All-Star Team … Was an AMHL All-Star in 2014-15 as a member of the Calgary Flames Midget AAA.

Matthew Murray – G – 6'1" – 185 – St. Albert, Alberta/Fargo (USHL)

Coach Carvel on Murray: "Matt is an athletic goaltender that has the ability to make big saves. He handles the puck well and loves to compete. Matt is a strong skater, challenges well and he can go side-to-side in the blink of an eye."

Rated by NHL Central Scouting … Currently playing for the Fargo Force in the USHL … Holds a 2.60 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage over first 13 games of the season … Went 37-5-3 over 51 career regular season games in two seasons (2014-16) with the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL … Logged a career .914 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average in the AJHL … Received the AJHL's Top Team Goaltenders Award in back-to-back seasons and was selected as the AJHL Best Goaltender in 2015-16 … Posted the top goals-against average in the AJHL in 2014-15 at 1.72 … Won an AJHL championship with Spruce Grove in 2014-15 … Registered a 2.75 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage over four games in the World Junior A Challenge in 2015-16, helping Canada West to the gold medal in the tournament.

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