Merrimack returns 18 players for Hockey East title defense

Merrimack College men’s hockey begins its Hockey East title defense with 18 returning players and a new competition in goal.

The Warriors entered the 2026-27 season ranked No. 19 in the USA Hockey preseason poll and No. 20 by USCHO. After losing their opener at Quinnipiac, Merrimack tied New Hampshire 3-3 at Lawler Arena on Thursday, Oct. 8, and won the shootout 1-0, according to the official schedule.

Returning scorers anchor the lineup

Merrimack retained 89.1% of last season’s scoring production, bringing back players who accounted for 295 of 331 points, according to Merrimack Athletics’ season preview.

Five returning forwards scored at least 10 goals: Justin Gill, Parker Lalonde, Trevor Hoskin, Caelan Fitzpatrick and Nick Pierre. Both power-play units also return after converting 25.8% of their opportunities last season.

Hockey East coaches nevertheless picked the Warriors sixth in their preseason poll.

Coach Scott Borek, entering his ninth season, said in the Oct. 2 preview that the program’s postseason objective remains the same.

“Our goal is to get to the Garden every year. Because once you get to the Garden, you have a chance to win it,” Borek said.

New goalies compete to replace Lundgren

The Warriors must replace Max Lundgren, who signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins after last season.

Lundgren helped deliver the program’s first Hockey East Tournament championship on March 21. He made 49 saves in a 2-1 victory over UConn at TD Garden and earned tournament MVP honors, according to Hockey East’s championship recap.

Merrimack became the first No. 8 seed to win the tournament, defeating the top three seeds along the way.

Freshman Linards Feldbergs, returning goalie Ryan Keyes and newcomer Charlie Durkin are competing for playing time. Feldbergs represented Latvia at the 2025 World Junior Championship and played for the Sioux Falls Stampede last season.

Feldbergs started the Oct. 3 opener at Quinnipiac, where Merrimack lost 6-3. Fitzpatrick scored in the third period, but the Warriors could not erase the deficit, the Quinnipiac Chronicle reported.