The Comings and Goings of the Hockey Transfer Portal for UMass Lowell

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With the National Championship decided last weekend in Las Vegas—where Denver secured its third title in five years and a record 11th overall—the next phase of the college hockey calendar is in full swing. The 15-day transfer portal window allows teams to reshape their rosters for the coming season, and for the UMass Lowell River Hawks, it has already been a whirlwind of activity.

As the window nears its close, here’s a look at how the River Hawks have fared in the portal to date.

River Hawks on the Move

UMass Lowell has seen six players enter the portal, with four having already confirmed their new destinations.

Luke Shipley (D): After appearing in 32 games for the River Hawks last season, Shipley is heading to Michigan Tech. He recorded 12 points (2 G, 10 A), including one power-play goal and 53 shots on goal, while finishing with a -17 rating.
Lee Parks (F): Parks will remain in Hockey East, transferring to the Maine Black Bears. In 35 games this season, he tallied 12 points (6 G, 6 A), with three of those goals coming on the man advantage. Over his two-year career at Lowell, Parks totaled 28 points in 69 games.
The Buttazzoni Brothers: Mirko and Diego are staying together, transferring to Sacred Heart University in the Atlantic Hockey Association.
Mirko Buttazzoni (F): Recorded 13 points (4 G, 9 A) in 24 games this season. In his two years at UML, he totaled 32 points across 56 games.
Diego Buttazzoni (F): As a freshman, he played in 29 games and proved to be a power-play specialist, with five of his six goals coming on the advantage. He finished the year with 12 points and 45 penalty minutes.

Still in the Portal

Two freshman defensemen have entered the portal but have yet to announce their next programs:

August Classon: Appeared in nine games, averaging under seven minutes of ice time and recording two shots on goal.
James Johnson: Appeared in four games (two in November, two in January), recording two shots and two penalty minutes.

Incoming Talent

Head coach Norm Bazin has already secured two veteran pieces to bolster the River Hawks’ roster for the 2026–27 season.

Anthony Dowd (D) – Arizona State

Joining the blue line after three seasons with the Sun Devils, Dowd brings significant experience with 100 career NCAA games under his belt.

The Profile: While he went without a goal in 27 games last season (4 assists), he is a proven puck-mover with 35 career points (5 G, 30 A).
The Fit: Dowd is a disciplined defender with a strong career plus/minus of +12, providing a steady veteran presence for the Lowell defensive corps.

Cole Moore (G) – Bowling Green

The River Hawks have found a reliable option between the pipes in Moore, who joins the team after three seasons at Bowling Green.

2025–26 Stats: Moore posted a 5-5-3 record this past season with a sharp 2.37 GAA and a .913 save percentage.
The Profile: Standing 6’6″, Moore recorded three career shutouts as a Falcon, including a 28-save performance against Augustana this past February. He provides immediate competition and depth for the River Hawks’ goaltending unit.

The Bottom Line: While losing core depth like Parks and the Buttazzoni brothers hurts, the addition of a veteran defenseman like Dowd and a proven goaltender like Moore shows that UMass Lowell is prioritizing experience and defensive stability as they look to climb back up the Hockey East standings.