UMass is making serious moves ahead of the upcoming season, adding three standout players to their incoming class this week. The Minutemen have been quietly building depth, and these new additions signal that they're ready to compete at a higher level. Let's break down who's coming to Amherst and what they bring to the ice.
First up is left-shot defenseman Barrett Dexheimer, officially announced on May 13. At 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, the Edina native might not be the biggest player on the blue line, but he's got hockey in his blood. His older brother, Ben, was an All-Big 10 First Team selection for Wisconsin this season and scored the overtime game-winner against Michigan State to send the Badgers to the Frozen Four for the first time in 16 years. That's a family with some serious clutch genes.
Dexheimer spent most of his USHL career with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he was part of the Clark Cup-winning team in 2025. Here's an interesting stat: in his year and a half with Muskegon, he recorded zero goals and exactly nine assists each season—though his second year featured just 31 games compared to 51 in his first. He did chip in two goals after a late-season move to the Des Moines Buccaneers, but production isn't really his game. UMass coach Greg Carvel called him "smooth-skating and smart," and that kind of steady, reliable presence on the back end is exactly what championship teams are built on. Expect Dexheimer to provide solid defensive support while letting his teammates shine offensively.
On the same day, the Minutemen pulled off a major flip, landing Penguins 2025 fifth-round pick Jordan Charron from St. Lawrence. Charron is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound right winger who shoots right, and his rise has been nothing short of rapid. He started his draft year in the GOJHL with the Ayr Centennials, where he exploded for nine goals and 13 assists in just 18 games—more goals than he'd scored in an entire season before. From there, he moved up to the OJHL with the Wellington Dukes for three games before getting called up again to the Soo Greyhounds. In 48 games with the Greyhounds, Charron proved he belonged at every level. For a player who's been climbing the ladder so quickly, his blend of size and scoring touch could make him an immediate impact player for UMass.
Adding players like Dexheimer and Charron shows that UMass isn't just filling roster spots—they're targeting high-character athletes with proven track records and room to grow. Whether you're a Minutemen fan or just love following up-and-coming talent, this incoming class has plenty of reasons to get excited. And for those of you looking to rep your team in style, there's no better time to stock up on UMass gear for the season ahead.