UMass-Lowell has been making waves on the recruiting trail this week, and they just landed another exciting prospect. The River Hawks officially announced the signing of Joey McGraw, a powerful right-shot forward currently playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. While McGraw shared the news on his Instagram back on April 8, the team waited until now to make it official, adding to a growing list of commitments for the program.
McGraw's journey to this point is anything but ordinary. Born in New York, he grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, after his family relocated for his father's job at Shell. His hockey roots trace back to the Dallas Stars Elite program before a brief stint in Michigan with Little Caesars during the 2020-21 season. At just 15 years old, he was tendered by the Northeast Generals of the NAHL—a bold move that paid off. Over four seasons with the Generals, McGraw evolved from the youngest player on the roster into a reliable, hard-nosed forward.
Generals GM and Head Coach Bryan Erikson couldn't praise him enough. "Joey McGraw is an amazing young man," Erikson said. "Not a lot of 15-year-olds would be able to trust the process the way he did. We came up with a clear plan for his development, and huge credit goes to Joey for sticking through the ups and downs. His work ethic is crazy, and his ability to take in coaching and implement it immediately is very high. He has a tremendous hockey IQ. He's a big power forward with elite speed and hands. He's only scratching the surface of his potential."
McGraw's college commitment journey has been a whirlwind. He initially committed to Army West Point while with the Generals—the first of four NCAA commitments he would make. After splitting time between the Generals and the USHL's Fargo Force early in the 2024-25 season, McGraw eventually landed with the Sioux Falls Stampede. In 23 games with the Stampede that year, he posted 7 goals and 9 assists. The 2025-26 season marked his first full campaign with the team, and he didn't disappoint, notching 13 goals and 33 points in 49 games.
For a player who has navigated multiple commitments and leagues, McGraw's resilience and growth are a testament to his dedication. UMass-Lowell is getting a versatile forward with size, speed, and a knack for making plays—exactly the kind of talent that can elevate a program.