UMass Lowell Named 2026-27 Hockey Captains
Head coach Norm Bazin selected three alternate captains to join team leader Jak Vaarwerk.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Hockey
Live Poll
Should your local college sports teams prioritize long-term student athletes as team leaders?
UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin has announced the leadership group for the 2026-27 season, naming Sean Kilcullen, Libor Nemec, and Josh Mori as alternate captains. The trio will support captain Jak Vaarwerk as the River Hawks prepare for their upcoming exhibition and regular-season schedule.
Why it matters
The naming of the captaincy group signals the finalization of the locker room hierarchy as the team transitions from preseason evaluations to competitive play. This leadership core is tasked with guiding the roster through the opening non-conference slate.
The newly named alternate captains bring significant experience, led by Libor Nemec, who recorded 15 points in 35 games last season, and Sean Kilcullen, who played 34 games. Josh Mori joins the group after recording 12 points during his freshman season.
The players
Norm Bazin
He serves as the head coach of the UMass Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey team.
Jak Vaarwerk
He is the captain for the UMass Lowell hockey team for the 2026-27 season.
Sean Kilcullen
He is an alternate captain who played 34 games for the River Hawks last season.
Libor Nemec
He is an alternate captain and a 6-foot-3 player who recorded 15 points last season.
Josh Mori
He is an alternate captain who scored 12 points during his freshman campaign.
The details
The announcement followed an intrasquad scrimmage where the Blue team defeated the White team 5-2 to close out the team's arrival on campus. Coaching staff utilized these performances to finalize the leadership structure ahead of the team's exhibition schedule.
Timeline
Libor Nemec joined the team for the 2024-25 season.
The team arrived on campus on September 26, 2026.
An intrasquad scrimmage was held on September 26, 2026.
The River Hawks face Concordia University on October 2, 2026.
The regular season opener against Clarkson is set for October 9, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This leadership announcement solidifies the team's structure before the River Hawks begin their non-conference schedule at the Tsongas Center. Establishing a clear captaincy group is essential for navigating early-season matchups against Clarkson and St. Lawrence.
The coaching staff is balancing a deep defensive unit, with 10 defensemen competing for only seven available game-night slots. Fans should monitor how these leadership choices influence the final rotation decisions for the October 9 regular-season opener.
The takeaway
Effective team leadership is a critical component for integrating new and returning players into the active game-night lineup. The River Hawks will rely on these captains to maintain defensive discipline as they work through a competitive roster size.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming schedule, visit Hockey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lowell Sun.
Live Poll
Should your local college sports teams prioritize long-term student athletes as team leaders?
