Lethbridge natives Scout and Roc Truman commit to UMass Lowell

“We really liked the staff there; the facilities are nice, and the rink was really good as well,” he continued. “We liked their campus and dorm rooms and just thought it was a really good fit.”

There was considerable interest in the boys not only from colleges and universities in the United States but also the Western Hockey League.

As far as choosing the school route, Scout said it made more sense to them because it gives them a longer path to develop.

“That was the main reason, and the fact that we could both commit together didn’t hurt,” Scout added.

Roc is a 5’11 17-year-old center, who through 29 games this season has scored 13 goals and added 12 assists for 25 points, in his first year with the Dragons. He’s known as a shooter who uses his size and grit to play effectively around the net.

Roc also competed in the CSSHL with the Yale Hockey Academy Prep team located in Abbotsford, B.C. before this season.

Like his brother, Roc also mentioned the additional time they’ll have to develop as players as one of the reasons for choosing UMass.

“When all is said and done you also have that degree in your back pocket if you can’t pursue hockey any longer when the time comes.”

And he was impressed by the history of the school as well.

“They’re a good school, and traditionally have been very competitive. I think they’re in one of the better divisions in NCAA, they have a great staff, a great facility and we just fell in love with it.”

The UMass Lowell River Hawks are coached by Norm Bazin, who holds an overall record of 206-118-28 over 11 seasons of college hockey. Assistant Coach Juliano Pagliero is currently in his first season with the River Hawks and was instrumental during the recruitment process which earned commitments from the Truman brothers.

Scout says it came down to two options regarding universities – Colgate and UMass Lowell – but when it came down to it, they just felt like UMass was the perfect fit.

“The history of UMass definitely played a factor, we wanted to go to a place where we could win a championship and help contribute. We knew they had a winning history and a good culture, so that was a big part of our decision as well,” Scout stated.

Roc also had positive things to say about the coaching staff.

“Norm [Bazin] is a successful coach who’s won a lot and I just think it was the best fit for us. It’s pretty cool because most brothers don’t get to make it this far together, so it’s definitely an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

Hockey East is an NCAA Division I ice hockey-only conference based in Wakefield, Massachusetts that was formed in 1984. At the completion of each regular season, it holds the Hockey East Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament to determine its conference champion.

UMass has taken home three conference championships since 2013.

by Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Lethbridge natives Scout and Roc Truman commit to UMass Lowell

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