Notes

Alright, we are back with a few quick notes as the offseason gets underway. There have been a few changes since our last post, so I am going to briefly touch on various topics here. 

First, BC has seen four non-seniors enter the transfer portal- Henry Wilder, Cade Alami, Jack Dempsey and Paul Davey. This comes off the heels of the BC coaching staff making a few roster adjustments after the conclusion of the season. I would not be surprised if one more forward entered the portal within the next few days- one who will not play much next season if he opts to stay at BC. 

The one surprise entry into the portal was Marshall Warren. By surprise, I do not mean that there was any expectation that Warren would be back at BC next season. Both he and the coaching staff had the understanding that he would play hockey somewhere other than BC next season. I just figured he would sign an ATO deal with an NHL team over the summer, but going to another school will definitely give him a fresh start. I would be very surprised if Warren doesn't end up at a Big Ten school- he has been a great Eagle and I wish him nothing but the best in whatever comes next in his hockey career. 

Let's touch on BC's blue line for a second. It looks to me like they are set- Nolan Joyce will round out their recruiting class in the fall. Here is how I see things shaking out- (don't put much stock in the pairings, it is March) 

Bengtsson-Powell

Gustafsson-Hreschuk

Fortescue-Minnetian/Leddy

Joyce/S.Powell

As of now, no more BC defensemen have entered the transfer portal, but I would not be stunned if another guy put his name in at some point. As you can see, there is clearly a logjam. 

The biggest news of the week was Cutter Gauthier opting to return to school for one more season. We wrote last week that this was a strong possibility, but to see Gauthier himself confirm it was awesome. He was one of the best freshmen I've seen in my time watching BC hockey, so to get another year out of him, purely from a fan's prespective, is pretty cool. 

On top of that, Colby Ambrosio announced that he was also returning for his senior season. I wasn't stunned at this move- I thought it was 50/50 as to whether he would come back, but he certainly will give them some speed on the wing. 

The last domino to fall is Trevor Kuntar. Every source that I have talked to says Kuntar will sign with the Bruins at some point soon. There is one catch- the Bruins currently have 49 contracts on the books and no NHL team is allowed more than 50. Obviously, you would have to think that Boston will be looking to sign Ohio State defenseman Mason Lohrei in the very near future, which will put them at 50 contracts. That said, I expect the Bruins to work something out to sign Kuntar. 

With Gauthier and Ambrosio coming back, let's take a look at where BC stands up front. Again, this is March (i.e. almost golf season) so this is an extremely rough estimate. 

Gasseau-Gauthier-Ambrosio

Perreault-Smith-Leonard

Jellvik-???-Vote

Posma-Joyce-Traeger/Shamburger/Argentina/???

So, here is what we know. BC is loaded with high-end talent- they will have four first round picks. I don't want to spend all night getting everyone excited about their lineup, but let me just say that they're going to be really, really good. That said, they have some holes to fill. 

Right now, I have Colby Ambrosio playing on the top line with Gasseau and Gauthier, but I am not convinced that will be the case come October. If they can land another high-end forward in the portal to put with their two star sophomores, I think they will do so. There will be more options in the portal- just because it is relatively thin right now does not mean that will be the case in the next month.

They will likely need another depth forward to slide into that third line center role. Obviously, they went to the portal to address their third line this past season, with mixed results. This year, they'll have a bit more skill on the wings with Jellvik and Vote, but in an ideal world they can bring in an experienced center who will give them some goal scoring capabilities. 

Joyce and Posma will obviously be in the opening night lineup, but after that it is anyone's guess. I would not be shocked if one of those three- Traeger, Shamburger or Argentina hits the portal within the next few days. 

As for the goalies, they got another commit today as Alex Musielak, a 6'4 netminder from the Kemptville 73's (CCHL) announced his intentions to play at BC next season. Musielak will come in as the third player on their goalie depth chart, behind Fowler and Korec. Musielak, a 2003 birthdate, currently has a .905 save percentage and a 3.68 GAA this season. This does not change their goalie situation much- either Fowler or Korec will be the opening night starter in October. 

Lastly, BC got a commitment from forward Jake Sondreal of Dubuque (USHL) last night. I incorrectly tweeted that Sondreal was expected to come in next year- look for him to arrive in 2024. Sondreal is a good player, posting 11 goals and 23 assists (50 GP) in his first USHL season. Neutral Zone rates Sondreal as a 3.75 star prospect and describes him as someone who "plays with pace and creates chances. Keeps his feet moving and cuts to open ice." The BC coaching staff was in Dubuque this past weekend watching Sondreal compete against the USNTDP U17 team. Scouts I have talked to really like Sondreal's game and think that he could be a solid second or third line player for BC down the road- he will come to campus with Teddy Stiga, Tobias Pitka, Matthew Frost and Justin Solovey. 

That is all I have for now. Between the transfer portal and the upcoming recruiting period for 2007's, the coaches must be pretty exhausted having to keep up with all this. Things have certainly changed in college hockey with the advent of the portal. 

Until next time- Go Eagles (and Gophers).