But one thing is crystal clear about UMass Lowell’s 2025-26 season opener — the River Hawks can’t wait to battle Hockey East rival Merrimack College. “Every game matters in Hockey East,” said senior defenseman TJ Schweighardt, an assistant captain. UMass Lowell was predicted to finish in a tie for seventh in the Hockey East preseason poll, while Merrimack was tabbed to finish ninth. Also, this is the first season players from Major Junior programs in Canada are eligible to play college hockey. Merrimack posted a 13-2-1 mark (9-14-1 in Hockey East) a season ago.