By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
Boston Bruins draft pick and Massachusetts forward Dans Locmelis has opted to forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and sign a three-year entry level deal on Tuesday. Locmelis is coming off a strong sophomore season with the Minutemen, capped off with a goal against Western Michigan in the Regional Final on Saturday night.
He played a key role in UMass’s second-half surge and postseason run, recording seven points in seven games in March. Locmelis assisted on the third-period equalizer and overtime game-winner in the first-round upset over Minnesota, then scored the aforementioned goal against Western Michigan. However, the Minutemen eventually fell 2-1, ending their season.
Locmelis made a significant jump in his second season in Amherst, recording 8-25-33 in 40 games, more than double his freshman-year total, and winning 53.5% of faceoffs. Across both seasons with UMass, Locmelis totaled 15-32-47 in 70 games. His vision and passing ability stand out as some of the best in the NCAA, both in transition and on the scoreboard. Locmelis finished second on the Minutemen in assists and top 40 in the nation.
The Latvian playmaker already has several years of international experience under his belt, having represented the Latvian junior and senior national teams on multiple occasions. Locmelis skated in three consecutive World Junior Championships for his home country, as well as two World Championships (earning Bronze in 2023), and was part of the national team that qualified for the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan.
Locmelis was initially reported to be returning to UMass for his junior year. However, on Monday, Latvian National Team head coach Harijs Vītoliņš spoke in an interview, stating that he expected Locmelis to sign ahead of the World Championships in May. He will report to Providence on an Amateur Tryout (ATO) to finish out the 2024-25 season.
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