UMass-Amherst senior forward Tim Lovell has decided to sit out the remainder of this season as a redshirt year, and play a full season with the team in 1997-98 the school announced Thursday.
“It was a tough decision for me, but I think I’ve made the right one,” said Lovell. “Playing next season will give me a chance to complete my degree, which has always been one of my primary goals.”
Lovell transferred to UMass this summer after three seasons at Maine. Lovell had the option of playing the second half of this season, or sitting out the entire season under NCAA requirements regarding transfers and academic credits. He did not have to sit out the usual mandatory one-year because Maine was banned from the NCAA Tournament this summer by the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
“I think Tim has made a great decision for both himself and our program,” said UMass head coach Joe Mallen. “The time will give him an opportunity to complete his degree program, plus he will make an immediate impact on our team that will have lost two of its top scorers next season.”
At Maine, Lovell had 108 career points, including 51 goals in 115 games played. In 1995-96 he was an All-Hockey East selection for the Black Bears.
