UMass Hockey Draft Haul Expands Roster
The second day of the NHL Draft proved to be a productive one for the University of Massachusetts hockey program, as eight players tied to the Minutemen were selected across the later rounds.
Landon Nycz, a sophomore defenseman who contributed three points in 35 games as a true freshman, heard his name called by the St. Louis Blues with the 107th overall pick in the fourth round, a slot that could see him donning a Blues jersey in the near future.
Goalie Tobias Trejbal, already slated to battle for the Minutemen’s starting position in the 2026‑27 season, was chosen 42nd overall by the Calgary Flames in the second round, a pick that underscores the Flames’ confidence in his potential at the collegiate level.
Oleg Kulebyakin, a forward slated to arrive in Amherst for the 2027‑28 campaign, was taken 52nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, adding another offensive prospect to the Lightning’s pipeline.
A Glimpse at the Freshman Class
The incoming freshman cohort includes Trejbal, Kearns, Taillefer and Mathieu Taillefer, each bringing a mix of size, skill and experience that could reshape the team’s dynamics when they step onto the ice for the first time in Amherst.
The draft also featured Samu Alalauri, who slipped to the Chicago Blackhawks at 66th overall in the third round, while Egor Barabanov and Jasper Kuhta were both selected as part of the Class of 2030, Barabanov landing with the Calgary Flames in the fourth round and Kuhta joining the Dallas Stars in the seventh round.
Finn Kearns and Alexandre Taillefer rounded out the haul with fifth‑round selections by the Seattle Kraken and Winnipeg Jets respectively; both will be freshmen in the 2027‑28 season, and Taillefer’s brother Mathieu also joins the incoming class, further enriching the Minutemen’s depth.
Overall, the influx of talent raises the projected size of the 2026‑27 roster to twelve scholarship players, a figure that positions UMass to compete more aggressively in the coming years and gives the coaching staff a broader pool from which to shape lines and defensive pairings.