Tyngsboro's Trevor Drew shot a 1-over 73 in the opening round of the Massachusetts Amateur Championship. (Sun file photo)
The University of Massachusetts Lowell hockey program is adding new talent to its pipeline of talented recruits, committing to players who performed well at national camps.
Steven Gramley, a 17-year-old defenseman from Manhattan Beach, California, committed to the River Hawks.
Gramley, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 151 pounds, is reportedly a strong puck mover and skater.
Gramley flourished at the USA Select 17 camp in Amherst, N.Y., from June 25 to July 1, recording four assists in six games. One of his teammates on the Pacific Division team, 6-foot-3 goaltender Kyle Jones, is also committed to UML and is a California native.
Gramley grew up playing for various Los Angeles Jr. Kings teams alongside Jones. The right-handed defenceman played on the 2022-23 U.S. Under-15 national championship team. He'll make the jump to competition this season playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
The AJHL has produced many talented college players, including UML junior Scout Trueman, who was last season's team leading scorer, and former Riverhawk forward Zach Kaiser, who also honed his skills in Sherwood Park.
Mass Amateur
Eight local golfers tee off Monday in the opening round of the 116th Massachusetts Amateur Championship.
The top local player at Framingham Country Club was Haverhill Golf & Country Club member and Chelmsford resident Michael Souliotis, who shot a one-under-par 71 to finish in a tie for 13th after the first round.
Trevor Drew of Longmeadow and Tynboro tied for 31st with a 1-over 73. Drew recently won the Lowell City Golf Tournament.
Granite Links member Mike Rurick of Billerica finished tied for 47th with a 2-over 74. Tied for 73rd was Townsend native Michael Amari of Northern Spy CC. Amari shot 4-over 76.
Molly Smith of Westford, who became the first woman to play in the tournament last year, will start Tuesday tied for 96th. Smith, who plays for Vesper CC, shot a 6-over 78.
Pepperell and Daniel Corner of Butterbrook Golf Club in Westford tied for 115th with a seven-over 79. Christopher Gentle of Lowell and Mount Pleasant GC started with an eight-over 80 to finish in a tie for 127th.
Andrew Conway, a Vesper native who lives in Westford, shot a 13-over 85.
Matt Cowgill of Granite Links and John Broderick of Dedham Country & Polo Club tied for the lead at 4 under. New England Patriots punter Bryce Ballinger started with a 77 and is tied for 86th.
Five players who posted rounds of three under par were tied for second place.
Defending champion Ryan Downs of Longmeadow shot a one-over 73, tying him with Drew and the others.
This will be the first time Framingham CC is hosting this event.
The tournament will be decided on Friday. After the second round on Tuesday, the format will switch to match play. Many of the competitors will not make it through the cut line.
