UMass extends Carvel’s contract two years through 2022-23 season

 (THOMAS KENDALL/THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS)
Greg Carvel completed his second season behind the UMass bench during the 2017-18 season (photo: Thomas Kendall/UMass Athletics).

Massachusetts announced Tuesday that coach Greg Carvel’s contract has been extended through the 2022-23 season.

In Carvel’s second year at the helm in 2017-18, the Minutemen posted a 12-win improvement from 2016-17, marking the biggest one-year turnaround in program history and in Division I hockey this past season.

“Greg and his staff have worked tirelessly to build our hockey program into a national contender,” said UMass director of athletics Ryan Bamford in a statement. “I am extremely proud of our progress since Greg arrived in 2016 and look forward to many years of competitive success for the Minutemen under his guidance.”

The extension adds two years to Carvel’s current contract, extending it through April 10, 2023. Associate head coach Ben Barr and assistant coach Jared DiMichiel also received two-year contract extensions.

“My two years at UMass have proven to be a great life experience as I’ve witnessed team, program and individual growth,” added Carvel. “I’m honored that athletic director Ryan Bamford and Chancellor Subbaswamy appreciate the work of the entire staff, which has developed the current momentum behind UMass hockey. The future of our hockey program is extremely bright and further motivates me to ‘wake the sleeping giant’ which is UMass hockey. I chose to come to UMass because of the great potential for success at the national level. Over the course of this contract extension, I hope to fulfill this vision and bring great pride to everyone connected to UMass hockey.”

This past season, the Minutemen hosted and won their first postseason series since 2007 and posted four wins over ranked opponents, including three over top-10 teams.