Friday, August 28, 2015
Staff Publishes Roster
The 2015-16 edition of the Eagles is now official as Coach York and company released the roster earlier this afternoon. There were no surprises or number changes, but here is a picture. Sleep tight tonight, I know I will.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
BC Picks Up First 2001 Prospect
BC continued to load up on recruits for a couple years down the road as 6'2 goalie Spencer Knight Mid-Fairfield Rangers) pledged for the fall of 2019. Of course, the year of arrival is always subject to change but USHR described Knight as the "best 13 (now 14) year old goalie we have seen in a couple of years" in November. According to reports, Knight was tremendous at the Harvard Showcase last weekend and was a highly sought after recruit.
Of course, no one can project what will happen in four years time but right now, it seems that BC has their goaltending situation set in stone for the next five or six years. Demko is obviously the go to guy this season, Woll will fill his shoes for the next three or four years, and then Knight will take the reigns. The question of whether or not the staff should be recruiting kids this young is something that is totally out of their control. The way the recruiting game is set up these days, they have to start getting these kids before they verbal to other institutions.
No matter what anyone thinks of the age issue, there is no denying that BC got themselves a heck of a goaltender this afternoon.
Go Eagles !
Of course, no one can project what will happen in four years time but right now, it seems that BC has their goaltending situation set in stone for the next five or six years. Demko is obviously the go to guy this season, Woll will fill his shoes for the next three or four years, and then Knight will take the reigns. The question of whether or not the staff should be recruiting kids this young is something that is totally out of their control. The way the recruiting game is set up these days, they have to start getting these kids before they verbal to other institutions.
No matter what anyone thinks of the age issue, there is no denying that BC got themselves a heck of a goaltender this afternoon.
Go Eagles !
Friday, August 21, 2015
Wahlstrom to Harvard
BC's top recruiting target, 2000 forward Oliver Wahlstrom, committed to Harvard last night. Wahlstrom is the last of the "big three" 2000 Massachusetts forwards to commit, TJ Walsh gave his verbal to BC, Wahlstrom is of course going to Harvard, and Central Catholic's Jake Wise is headed to arch rival Boston University.
First of all, things can change between now and the fall of 2018 when Wahlstrom is set to arrive in Cambridge so there is a chance that he never even ends up there. However, it's a tough loss for BC especially considering how hard they recruited the Maine native. In fact, the night before his commitment, the staff was watching him compete in the Foxboro Summer League championship at Foxboro Sports Center. It certainly stings missing out any recruit but I guess losing to Harvard isn't as bad as BU. The Crimson have now snagged the #1 forward and #1 defenseman (Bode Wilde) for the class of 2000.
Tough loss but I'm confident the staff will rebound with a big get in the coming weeks.
Go Eagles
First of all, things can change between now and the fall of 2018 when Wahlstrom is set to arrive in Cambridge so there is a chance that he never even ends up there. However, it's a tough loss for BC especially considering how hard they recruited the Maine native. In fact, the night before his commitment, the staff was watching him compete in the Foxboro Summer League championship at Foxboro Sports Center. It certainly stings missing out any recruit but I guess losing to Harvard isn't as bad as BU. The Crimson have now snagged the #1 forward and #1 defenseman (Bode Wilde) for the class of 2000.
Tough loss but I'm confident the staff will rebound with a big get in the coming weeks.
Go Eagles
Thursday, August 20, 2015
A Push For a New Rink
As Boston College alumni, students, employees, and fans, we are very fortunate to have some sort of connection to a place that is dear to our hearts. BC people believe that there is no better place in the world than Boston College and the transformation of the university over the past 30 years has been truly special. While the emergence of Doug Flutie led the football program and eventually the school as a whole to unbelievable heights, Coach York's arrival in 1994 and subsequent success has revamped the Boston College hockey program and made it the best in college hockey. When Coach York arrived, although the program was in dire straights, he had some things to work with, among those were BC's academic excellence, location, picturesque campus, and a rink that was perhaps the best college arena in the country at the time. Ever since then, BC's status among national universities has only grown and the hockey program has reached unparalleled heights, however, one thing has drastically changed the way some recruits look at BC.....it's rink.
When we take a look at BC's main competitors when it comes to recruiting, the top five schools that stand out are arch rival Boston University, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Harvard. Every single one of those schools has put millions of dollars into their hockey facilities over the past 15 + years, resulting in state of the art rinks that simply blow Kelley Rink out of the water. In today's age, kids, whether you like it or not, care as much about the facilities and "it" factors of programs than they do about the academic reputation of the school. Even if you look at programs outside of those five I mentioned above, schools like Providence, Nebraska Omaha, and RIT, all smaller schools with less than money than BC, have seen terrific results ever since they pumped some amount of money into their hockey program, whether it be to update their current rink (PC) or build a new one (RIT, UNO). Let me be clear here, I am in no way saying that the BC athletic department doesn't do enough for the hockey program because the program wouldn't be where it is today with the support of Father Leahy, current athletic director Brad Bates, and formed AD Gene DeFilippo. However, I believe that in order to stay at the top of college hockey, BC is going to need to have a serious discussion about upgrading their hockey facilities in order to attract the very best recruits.
Here are the results of my research...I should note that I had a hard time finding the cost of Schneider Arena (PC) but 5 million was the most common results.
If you pay attention to the sport, you would know that every single one of those programs has had an some amount of success ever since they made a commitment to upgrading their hockey facilities. After looking at these numbers, we are left with a couple of questions regarding BC and their quest to update Kelley Rink, let's take a look.
1. How much would BC be willing to take out of the endowment (2.2 billion) in order to pay for a new rink or an upgrade?
I don't think BC is going to take much money out of bank account in order to build a new hockey rink. If they were ever going to pull through on the project, it would require one or more donors to make it their projects but the more the university can put up, the more donors that would probably be willing to come forward.
2. Where would they put a new rink?
First of all, I don't like the idea of knocking down Kelley Rink and building one right on top of where it is. They tried that in the late 80's and it was just a disaster having to play at other teams' rinks. I don't know the exact measurements of the land but BC bought a nice chunk right across the street on the Brighton campus. If you drive by there, you will notice a pretty substantial area of grass but truth be told, I don't know if it would be big enough to hold a rink. I think the best idea is to put it where the Plex currently sits. As you probably know, they're knocking that down and building a new one but why not do what BU did (I don't like saying that) and build a rink in conjunction with a student center? That would be my vote.
3. What design would best fit BC?
We can't have a rink like North Dakota or Minnesota because we simply wouldn't fit as many people as they can. The new arena would need to be more modern, with seats closer to the action and preferably not made of plastic. Why not build something like Agganis? Heck, why not make an exact replica of it? We win every time we play there.
4. What would they name it?
York Arena. Nothing else needs to be considered.
5. Is there any chance this happens?
In the next five years? No. In the next 10? Yes.
Go Eagles !
When we take a look at BC's main competitors when it comes to recruiting, the top five schools that stand out are arch rival Boston University, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Harvard. Every single one of those schools has put millions of dollars into their hockey facilities over the past 15 + years, resulting in state of the art rinks that simply blow Kelley Rink out of the water. In today's age, kids, whether you like it or not, care as much about the facilities and "it" factors of programs than they do about the academic reputation of the school. Even if you look at programs outside of those five I mentioned above, schools like Providence, Nebraska Omaha, and RIT, all smaller schools with less than money than BC, have seen terrific results ever since they pumped some amount of money into their hockey program, whether it be to update their current rink (PC) or build a new one (RIT, UNO). Let me be clear here, I am in no way saying that the BC athletic department doesn't do enough for the hockey program because the program wouldn't be where it is today with the support of Father Leahy, current athletic director Brad Bates, and formed AD Gene DeFilippo. However, I believe that in order to stay at the top of college hockey, BC is going to need to have a serious discussion about upgrading their hockey facilities in order to attract the very best recruits.
Here are the results of my research...I should note that I had a hard time finding the cost of Schneider Arena (PC) but 5 million was the most common results.
If you pay attention to the sport, you would know that every single one of those programs has had an some amount of success ever since they made a commitment to upgrading their hockey facilities. After looking at these numbers, we are left with a couple of questions regarding BC and their quest to update Kelley Rink, let's take a look.
1. How much would BC be willing to take out of the endowment (2.2 billion) in order to pay for a new rink or an upgrade?
I don't think BC is going to take much money out of bank account in order to build a new hockey rink. If they were ever going to pull through on the project, it would require one or more donors to make it their projects but the more the university can put up, the more donors that would probably be willing to come forward.
2. Where would they put a new rink?
First of all, I don't like the idea of knocking down Kelley Rink and building one right on top of where it is. They tried that in the late 80's and it was just a disaster having to play at other teams' rinks. I don't know the exact measurements of the land but BC bought a nice chunk right across the street on the Brighton campus. If you drive by there, you will notice a pretty substantial area of grass but truth be told, I don't know if it would be big enough to hold a rink. I think the best idea is to put it where the Plex currently sits. As you probably know, they're knocking that down and building a new one but why not do what BU did (I don't like saying that) and build a rink in conjunction with a student center? That would be my vote.
3. What design would best fit BC?
We can't have a rink like North Dakota or Minnesota because we simply wouldn't fit as many people as they can. The new arena would need to be more modern, with seats closer to the action and preferably not made of plastic. Why not build something like Agganis? Heck, why not make an exact replica of it? We win every time we play there.
4. What would they name it?
York Arena. Nothing else needs to be considered.
5. Is there any chance this happens?
In the next five years? No. In the next 10? Yes.
Go Eagles !
Friday, August 14, 2015
Krys To BU
One of the top uncommitted defensemen in the country, Chad Krys, committed to Boston University this afternoon. Yes, BC was in on Krys but there was little to no chance he was going to end up in Chestnut Hill because his father, Mark, was a Terrier captain in the late 80's.Once again, I've been swamped with tweets and emails about BC's recruiting, especially when it comes to defensemen, but in reality, there isn't any reason for panic. Yes, BU has an absolutely stacked set of defensemen and forwards coming in two years but BC will counter that with a loaded forward group over the course of the next couple seasons (assuming some guys stay). Sure, losing any recruit to BU stings but if the staff could go out and land top Canadian recruit Dante Fabbro, then they are set on defense for the next couple season. While they may not be the top end NHL prospects that Krys, McAvoy, and Farrance are, the guys that BC has brought in will be very solid four year guys but now the task is to match them with two/three year NHL studs.
No reason for anybody to worry about the recruiting, they're going to be fine. I mean, if you're actually feeling uneasy, just look at the projected lineup for this season and then you'll sleep fine.
Go Eagles
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Staff Picks Up Second 2000 Recruit
The summer of good news continued this afternoon as the staff received a commitment from one of the country's top 2000's, Patrick Giles. The 6'3 power forward out of Maryland recorded 42 points in 22 games played for the Richmond Generals a season ago. USHR named him one of the top players at the Northern Cyclone Showcase earlier this year, saying "at 6'3 he is a force and is very difficult for defenders to contain. Uses his frame well to protect the puck and has a nice stride for someone who has grown so much in such a short time"
Don't look now but BC's team a couple years down the road with Giles, TJ Walsh, Jake Tortora, and perhaps Oliver Wahlstrom could be one of the more talented Eagle squads we've seen....after this year of course.
Nice job by the staff....Go Eagles!
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Updates
Ever since the whole Bracco fiasco a couple weeks back, everything has been quiet on the BC Hockey front. The staff joined a tremendous gathering of former players on Monday for the annual Pikes Peak golf outing at Walpole Country Club. Close to 50 former Eagles showed up to display their support for Coach York and the program. I think it says a lot about the culture he has created in his hockey program when guys who are making millions of dollars a year and are living, in some cases, a long ways from Chestnut Hill, come back to participate in a golf outing. When it was all said and done, Mike Ewanowski (81), Paul Marshall (89), Mike Mullowney (89), and Coach Brown (90) took home the hardware. Props to Pikes Peak for throwing what was another fantastic event.
World Jr Evaluation camp continues throughout this week in Lake Placid as the first round of cuts were made yesterday, all four Eagles are still in contention to make the final roster. There was a bit of bad news as sophomore Alex Tuch was injured in an exhibition game and was told to sit out the rest of camp as he nurses a minor knee injury. At his media session shortly after the game, Tuch said "I am rehabbing here and hopefully I feel better by the end of the week".
If you had told everyone in Hockey East that a major recruit would be leaving Comm Ave over the summer, over 95% of them would have assumed it was Jeremy Bracco bolting for the OHL. In an amazing turn of events, BU's top incoming recruit, Russian Maxim Letunov, was denied admissions to the school because of a technicality and will instead head to UConn. First of all, what a get for Coach Cav and his crew, by far and away the biggest recruit he has landed during his short time in Storrs. If Letunov is granted eligibility for this season (which is still up in the air), the Huskies could be a formidable opponent next fall for the rest of the conference. As for the Terriers, it is certainly a blow to their already thin forward group but with their defense and coaching staff, I'm sure they will be in the hunt come next spring.
On the recruiting trail, the only thing I have to report is that I'm hearing BC is one of the top front runners for star 2000 forward Oliver Wahlstrom, a former Maine commit. I think the decision will take some time but there is certainly a good chance BC is able to land the top uncommitted player in the country. Can you imagine a team with Wahlstom, TJ Walsh, and Jacob Tortora? Maybe not as good as this year's squad but pretty darn good!
Last major of the year next week, come on Phil!
Go Eagles
World Jr Evaluation camp continues throughout this week in Lake Placid as the first round of cuts were made yesterday, all four Eagles are still in contention to make the final roster. There was a bit of bad news as sophomore Alex Tuch was injured in an exhibition game and was told to sit out the rest of camp as he nurses a minor knee injury. At his media session shortly after the game, Tuch said "I am rehabbing here and hopefully I feel better by the end of the week".
If you had told everyone in Hockey East that a major recruit would be leaving Comm Ave over the summer, over 95% of them would have assumed it was Jeremy Bracco bolting for the OHL. In an amazing turn of events, BU's top incoming recruit, Russian Maxim Letunov, was denied admissions to the school because of a technicality and will instead head to UConn. First of all, what a get for Coach Cav and his crew, by far and away the biggest recruit he has landed during his short time in Storrs. If Letunov is granted eligibility for this season (which is still up in the air), the Huskies could be a formidable opponent next fall for the rest of the conference. As for the Terriers, it is certainly a blow to their already thin forward group but with their defense and coaching staff, I'm sure they will be in the hunt come next spring.
On the recruiting trail, the only thing I have to report is that I'm hearing BC is one of the top front runners for star 2000 forward Oliver Wahlstrom, a former Maine commit. I think the decision will take some time but there is certainly a good chance BC is able to land the top uncommitted player in the country. Can you imagine a team with Wahlstom, TJ Walsh, and Jacob Tortora? Maybe not as good as this year's squad but pretty darn good!
Last major of the year next week, come on Phil!
Go Eagles
Sunday, August 2, 2015
World Jr Evaluation Camp Underway
Over the course of the next seven days, 39 guys will compete for a chance to make the first cut of the US World Jr team, including 4 current/former Eagles. Representing the current Eagle squad are forwards Jeremy Bracco, Alex Tuch, and Colin White. Noah Hanifin is expected to lead the team's defensive core. Last year, Tuch and Hanifin joined Miles Wood, Ian McCoshen, and Thatcher Demko for one of hockey's best annual tournaments but unfortunately, the US bowed out early. Of course, Tuch and Hanifin are shoe-ins to play again this year but I think there is a high possibility of Bracco and White joining them in December. In fact, Bracco was the last cut a year ago while White did not try out due to injuries.
As expected, Bracco was asked about his plans for next year immediately after he was made available to the media and his response was as solid as BC fans could have hoped for-
It was already set in stone but the more assurance the better, especially after last summer.
Good luck to Noah, Alex, Jeremy, and Colin this week.
Go Eagles
As expected, Bracco was asked about his plans for next year immediately after he was made available to the media and his response was as solid as BC fans could have hoped for-
It was already set in stone but the more assurance the better, especially after last summer.
Good luck to Noah, Alex, Jeremy, and Colin this week.
Go Eagles
Friday, July 31, 2015
Solidify the Future and Name Greg Brown Head Coach in Waiting
We all know that the most important thing in this business is recruiting and with archrival Boston University back from the dead, Providence winning a National Title, and Cav revamping UConn, winning the top end guys is as tough as it has ever been. The way recruiting has evolved in this sport, the staff has to start getting commitments from guys that wouldn't be here for another three, four, or even five years, a time period in which no one really knows where the program will be at. That is why I think AD Brad Bates should name associate head coach Greg Brown the head coach in waiting as soon as possible, because it would give the program an enormous amount of stability going forward. When they bring these extremely young kids in for visits, they can say unequivocally that if Coach York isn't here when you get to campus, Coach Brown and hopefully Coach Ayers will be there to insure that the operation is the same as it was when Coach York was here. Kids are not going to want to commit to a program and then have the whole thing change when a coach from the outside gets brought in because it totally changes everything that led them to the school.
Naysayers will say "Bates should go through the whole process and hire the best candidate" and point to Coach Brown's lack of head coaching experience but I think that whole argument is highly overrated. Does it really make a difference if he is a head coach between now and when Coach York retires? He is still going to recruit the same amount that he already does, he will have to implement a X's and O's strategy for whatever team he were to go to (something he already does at BC), what difference does it make? Mike Cavanaugh had no head coaching experience in college hockey, neither did Dave Hakstol, David Quinn, or Dick Umile and last time I checked, all of those guys are doing okay at their respective locations.
Coach Brown represents everything that is right with Boston College and it's hockey program. We can't afford to lose him and that is why he should be our head coach in waiting.
Go Eagles
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Tortora Joins NTDP
Jacob Tortora (Victor, NY) has joined the National Development Program as he was officially added to the roster this afternoon. Tortora, who is scheduled to arrive in the fall of 2017, is one of the staff's best recruits in the pipeline. He was slated to play in Youngstown (USHL) this upcoming season. As of now, he is the only future Eagle on the U17 team but the U18 squad has Graham McPhee, Joseph Woll, Zach Walker, and Michael Campoli.
Go Eagles.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Locked And Loaded
Earlier this afternoon Columbus Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Potzline reported that Jeremy Bracco had decommited from Boston College and would sign with the Kitchener Rangers. However, no more than an hour later, Bracco himself refuted the report with this tweet.....
Since this unique turn of events, I have been able to confirm with very reliable sources that Bracco, along with his parents, called Coach York today and informed him that Jeremy would 100% be attending Boston College in the fall. From what I am told, Jeremy and his family are excited to become part of the BC community and all the noise about what he is going to do has just been greatly exaggerated because Kitchener has not stopped trying to get ahold of him over the course of the past several weeks. Everyone out there is talking about Milano and how Bracco could just be following in his steps but Milano didn't call Coach York and reaffirm his commitment, he didn't confirm anything on Twitter which everyone in the world sees these days, and Toronto is totally different organization than Columbus.
Let's take a couple minutes here and talk about this recruiting win for the staff. Like usual, the college hockey media machine made it seem like there was no way he would end up here but Coach York and his crew went out there and landed the most talented freshman in the country. Awesome work by Coach Brown and Coach Ayers. I know he is young and maybe isn't the biggest guy but I think this kid has a chance to win Hockey East player of the year next year and maybe even the Hobey Baker because of how many points he gets on a nightly basis. I think he will love it here at BC because if you ask me, it's the best school in the world and Coach York's track record with younger forwards speaks for itself.
Now let's look at this from a hockey perspective and how it affects BC's lineup. They're going to be very deep and talented at pretty much every position, especially on the wings. I don't know if they're going to keep last years top line together but I think they probably should just to start things out. However, the power play is going to be a huge question mark because they have so many first unit type guys but you can only put 5 out there obviously. I think Tuch and Bracco would be a deadly combination but I also love Sanford and Gilmour on that top line because they're probably better in the defensive end than any of BC's other top 9 forwards with the exception of maybe Cangelosi. Whatever the staff decides to do, they will have three lines that will probably be better than anyone else's first line. Here is just a random guess....
Since this unique turn of events, I have been able to confirm with very reliable sources that Bracco, along with his parents, called Coach York today and informed him that Jeremy would 100% be attending Boston College in the fall. From what I am told, Jeremy and his family are excited to become part of the BC community and all the noise about what he is going to do has just been greatly exaggerated because Kitchener has not stopped trying to get ahold of him over the course of the past several weeks. Everyone out there is talking about Milano and how Bracco could just be following in his steps but Milano didn't call Coach York and reaffirm his commitment, he didn't confirm anything on Twitter which everyone in the world sees these days, and Toronto is totally different organization than Columbus.
Let's take a couple minutes here and talk about this recruiting win for the staff. Like usual, the college hockey media machine made it seem like there was no way he would end up here but Coach York and his crew went out there and landed the most talented freshman in the country. Awesome work by Coach Brown and Coach Ayers. I know he is young and maybe isn't the biggest guy but I think this kid has a chance to win Hockey East player of the year next year and maybe even the Hobey Baker because of how many points he gets on a nightly basis. I think he will love it here at BC because if you ask me, it's the best school in the world and Coach York's track record with younger forwards speaks for itself.
Now let's look at this from a hockey perspective and how it affects BC's lineup. They're going to be very deep and talented at pretty much every position, especially on the wings. I don't know if they're going to keep last years top line together but I think they probably should just to start things out. However, the power play is going to be a huge question mark because they have so many first unit type guys but you can only put 5 out there obviously. I think Tuch and Bracco would be a deadly combination but I also love Sanford and Gilmour on that top line because they're probably better in the defensive end than any of BC's other top 9 forwards with the exception of maybe Cangelosi. Whatever the staff decides to do, they will have three lines that will probably be better than anyone else's first line. Here is just a random guess....
Sanford-Gilmour-Tuch
Fitz-White-Bracco
Wood-Cangelosi-Calnan
Gaudreau-Brown-Dudek/Silk
I think that is probably the third or fourth best forward lineup of the Coach York era with the potential to be the best if everyone pans out. You all know how good I think this team can be so I won't repeat it but they have a chance to do things no college hockey team has ever done, they're that good.
In other, unrelated news, Thatcher Demko hit the ice today for the first time since his surgery which just goes to show how hard he has worked to get back because he wasn't expected to be ready for the season opener.
What a day in BC Hockey world, now all we need to close out the summer is a Phil win @ Whistling Straits.
GO EAGLES !!!!!
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Lamoriello New Toronto GM, Could This Help?
In a shocking turn of events this afternoon, longtime New Jersey Devils president and Providence College hockey alumnus Lou Lamoriello was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to be their next general manager. In his 28 years at the helm, the Devils captured 3 Stanley Cups and made the playoffs 21 times. Immediately after the news broke, I began to think about how this could possibly affect BC and their push to get top recruit Jeremy Bracco to campus. Truth be told, I have no idea if this will have any impact on Bracco's decision but under Lamoriello's leadership, the Devils have drafted as many BC players as any franchise in the NHL, with the exception of maybe Pittsburgh. Stephen Gionta, Peter Harrold, Scott Clemmensen, and Cory Schneider are just a couple of the more recent examples of BC grads to wear the red and black. Recently, New Jersey has zoomed in on future/current Eagles, taking Steve Santini, Miles Wood, and Joey Dudek in the 2013 draft.
You don't need to look far to see that Lamoriello obviously has a huge amount of respect for the program Coach York has built here and the job he has done getting guys ready for the NHL, particularly the ones that maybe aren't the most physically gifted of the pack. I have heard numerous times over the past week that Toronto has been pushing for Bracco to play at BC this fall and maybe it is because they have known for a period of time that Lamoriello would be running the ship. There have been numerous rumors swirling around about what will actually happen and of course, you have a lot of people out there that say he is 100% gone but I'm not sure about that. There will be a final decision in the next couple of days but until then we will just have to sit around and take in the different leads.
Go Eagles
You don't need to look far to see that Lamoriello obviously has a huge amount of respect for the program Coach York has built here and the job he has done getting guys ready for the NHL, particularly the ones that maybe aren't the most physically gifted of the pack. I have heard numerous times over the past week that Toronto has been pushing for Bracco to play at BC this fall and maybe it is because they have known for a period of time that Lamoriello would be running the ship. There have been numerous rumors swirling around about what will actually happen and of course, you have a lot of people out there that say he is 100% gone but I'm not sure about that. There will be a final decision in the next couple of days but until then we will just have to sit around and take in the different leads.
Go Eagles
Thursday, July 16, 2015
BC vs North Dakota @ MSG, Other Notes
Apologies for the lateness in the updates, I was on vacation this week and have been glued to my TV watching Phil battle for another Claret Jug.
According to Brad Schlossmann of the Grand Forks Harold, Boston College will face rival North Dakota at The Worlds Most Famous Arena on December 2, 2016. These rumors have been swirling for years as there was one last year pertaining to a possible BC vs Qunnipiac game but that obviously never came to fruition. So with this news, the two best programs in college hockey will add another chapter to their history next season but we have a long way to go until then so let's focus on the current stuff.
No news on Jeremy Bracco but of course, the college hockey media machine is making it seem like there is absolutely no chance he ends up at BC. From what I am hearing, Toronto is very aware of BC's history with smaller players and thus could be pushing Bracco to attend college this fall. Obviously the rest of the country wants to see him bolt for the CHL so of course they're saying he is going to leave. My guess at this time yesterday was that he was 100% gone but after what I heard today, I am feeling confident about his arrival. I keep getting these messages about how the staff should stop recruiting "mercenaries" (other peoples words). Let's get two things perfectly clear. Neither Noah Hanifin nor Jeremy Bracco is a "mercenary", they're just trying to do what is best for their hockey careers. Of course I want Jeremy to play at BC but the kid's dream is to play in the NHL and whatever path he feels is best for him is the way he should go but don't count BC out just yet. The other complaint I have gotten is about the staff's recruiting strategy when it comes to these "mercenaries". That is ridiculous, they're working as hard as ever this summer after a somewhat disappointing season last year. I have a ton of confidence they will find a way to get Jeremy to campus but if they don't, it isn't the end of the world.
Go Eagles
According to Brad Schlossmann of the Grand Forks Harold, Boston College will face rival North Dakota at The Worlds Most Famous Arena on December 2, 2016. These rumors have been swirling for years as there was one last year pertaining to a possible BC vs Qunnipiac game but that obviously never came to fruition. So with this news, the two best programs in college hockey will add another chapter to their history next season but we have a long way to go until then so let's focus on the current stuff.
No news on Jeremy Bracco but of course, the college hockey media machine is making it seem like there is absolutely no chance he ends up at BC. From what I am hearing, Toronto is very aware of BC's history with smaller players and thus could be pushing Bracco to attend college this fall. Obviously the rest of the country wants to see him bolt for the CHL so of course they're saying he is going to leave. My guess at this time yesterday was that he was 100% gone but after what I heard today, I am feeling confident about his arrival. I keep getting these messages about how the staff should stop recruiting "mercenaries" (other peoples words). Let's get two things perfectly clear. Neither Noah Hanifin nor Jeremy Bracco is a "mercenary", they're just trying to do what is best for their hockey careers. Of course I want Jeremy to play at BC but the kid's dream is to play in the NHL and whatever path he feels is best for him is the way he should go but don't count BC out just yet. The other complaint I have gotten is about the staff's recruiting strategy when it comes to these "mercenaries". That is ridiculous, they're working as hard as ever this summer after a somewhat disappointing season last year. I have a ton of confidence they will find a way to get Jeremy to campus but if they don't, it isn't the end of the world.
Go Eagles
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Hanifin Signs With Carolina
First off, really happy for Noah and his family. He is a tremendous kid who will without a doubt be a star in the NHL someday. He has all the tools to become one of the best defensemen in the game, he is big, he can fly, he has a shot that is improving, he has a high hockey IQ, and is getting better in his own end day by day. I think he will help lead that franchise to a lot wins over the next 15 years.
As for BC, not really sure what to say, obviously it is a huge loss. I can't speak for everyone but personally, I was always under the impression that he was going to stay two years but how the heck can are you supposed to turn down that kind of money? Our D situation is fine but it is young and probably not as deep as the staff would like. I think McCoshen is the best returning D in the league and we all know what Santini is capable of when healthy. Doherty is going to be his usual, offensive minded/gritty self that the team can rely on in a lot of situations. Savage will hopefully get back to the way he was playing freshman year but we can only wonder about how the two rookies, Casey Fitzgerald and Josh Couturier, will perform.
I suppose that with Noah's scholarship opening up, the staff could use it to try and lure another defenseman (or forward) for this years squad. I am not sure of Chad Krys' or Dante Fabbro's academic situations but if there was any chance that they could gain admissions this late in the cycle and enroll in September, then that would be the best case scenario. Sure, it stings a bit right now but I have total faith that this staff will get things situated before the season begins.
Congrats Noah, Go Eagles!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Development Camp Notes
Here is where the following Eagles are attending NHL development camps over the next two weeks.
New Jersey Devils- Miles Wood, JD Dudek, Casey Fitzgerald*, Matt Gaudreau*, Steve Santini, Josh Couturier
Toronto Maple Leafs- Jeremy Bracco
Ottawa Senators- Colin White
Buffalo Sabres- Chris Brown
New York Islanders- Teddy Doherty*, Austin Cangelosi*
Minnesota Wild- Alex Tuch
Washington Capitals- Zach Sanford
Columbus Blue Jackets- Scott Savage
Chicago Blackhawks- Chris Calnan
Florida Panthers- Ian McCoshen
Boston Bruins- Ryan Fitzgerald
Carolina Hurricanes- Noah Hanifin
Vancouver Canucks- Thatcher Demko (not playing, still recovering from surgery)
That is 18 guys....has to be some sort of record. * means they were not drafted by the club
Adam Gilmour is not at Wild camp, not sure why, believe because of summer classes.
Go Eagles.
New Jersey Devils- Miles Wood, JD Dudek, Casey Fitzgerald*, Matt Gaudreau*, Steve Santini, Josh Couturier
Toronto Maple Leafs- Jeremy Bracco
Ottawa Senators- Colin White
Buffalo Sabres- Chris Brown
New York Islanders- Teddy Doherty*, Austin Cangelosi*
Minnesota Wild- Alex Tuch
Washington Capitals- Zach Sanford
Columbus Blue Jackets- Scott Savage
Chicago Blackhawks- Chris Calnan
Florida Panthers- Ian McCoshen
Boston Bruins- Ryan Fitzgerald
Carolina Hurricanes- Noah Hanifin
Vancouver Canucks- Thatcher Demko (not playing, still recovering from surgery)
That is 18 guys....has to be some sort of record. * means they were not drafted by the club
Adam Gilmour is not at Wild camp, not sure why, believe because of summer classes.
Go Eagles.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Notes
First off, hope you all had a great Fourth with your friends and family. As we get back into the swing of things, this week may be the biggest of the offseason as we should know more about the decisions of Noah Hanifin and Jeremy Bracco. Yesterday, Hanifin told the Carolina media that he has not made a decision on whether or not he will return to BC but he added that he didn't want to hurt BC in any way by telling them late in the summer which is a classy move on his part. As for Bracco, some Toronto reporters have tweeted that they expect to know today what his plans are for next season. Surprisingly, I have heard some positive news concerning BC's top incoming recruit as of late but I guess there is only one person who really knows where Jeremy Bracco is going to play hockey next season.
On Friday, BC and BU alums will face off in the Comm Ave Charity Classic to help benefit victims of ALS. The game will feature Johnny G, Bill Arnold, Brian Gibbons, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and Coach Brown among others.
Nothing new on the scheduling front except for the two Vermont games.
On the recruiting side of things, BC will be in the hunt for two guys with former Maine connections. Late last week, Mark Divver of the Providence Journal reported that top 2000 Oliver Wahlstrom, a former Maine commit, is now reopening his commitment and I have since confirmed that BC will be one of the teams in on him. Even though every big name program in the country will be after him, I think BC has a good shot of landing this kid because apparently, he is best friends with TJ Walsh, another top 2000 that BC landed last summer. Walsh had a pretty good year for Shattuck St Mary's last year, recording 136 points in 66 games.
The other recruiting news I've got is that BC is one of the finalist for ex-Black Bear Liam Pecararo who left the university a couple of weeks ago. Truth be told, he had a bit of a tough freshman season under Red Gendron but there is no doubt that the talent is there for him to be a terrific player in this league. Pecararo recorded 61 points in 54 games two years ago in the USHL. The other suitors for Pecararo are North Dakota and Denver, among others.
If anything happens today with Bracco, I'll be sure to have a post on it. Say your prayers.
Go Eagles
On Friday, BC and BU alums will face off in the Comm Ave Charity Classic to help benefit victims of ALS. The game will feature Johnny G, Bill Arnold, Brian Gibbons, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and Coach Brown among others.
Nothing new on the scheduling front except for the two Vermont games.
On the recruiting side of things, BC will be in the hunt for two guys with former Maine connections. Late last week, Mark Divver of the Providence Journal reported that top 2000 Oliver Wahlstrom, a former Maine commit, is now reopening his commitment and I have since confirmed that BC will be one of the teams in on him. Even though every big name program in the country will be after him, I think BC has a good shot of landing this kid because apparently, he is best friends with TJ Walsh, another top 2000 that BC landed last summer. Walsh had a pretty good year for Shattuck St Mary's last year, recording 136 points in 66 games.
The other recruiting news I've got is that BC is one of the finalist for ex-Black Bear Liam Pecararo who left the university a couple of weeks ago. Truth be told, he had a bit of a tough freshman season under Red Gendron but there is no doubt that the talent is there for him to be a terrific player in this league. Pecararo recorded 61 points in 54 games two years ago in the USHL. The other suitors for Pecararo are North Dakota and Denver, among others.
If anything happens today with Bracco, I'll be sure to have a post on it. Say your prayers.
Go Eagles
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Notes
These next two to three weeks can be some of the most stressful for the staff as they will try to get a firm grip on next year's roster but unfortunately, things may be falling out of their hands. Let's take a look at what is going on.
Yesterday, a Carolina Hurricanes PR guy tweeted out Noah's number (#5) which led to rampant speculation that the 18 year old defenseman had signed with them but there has been no official word and from what I have heard, he has not made up his mind. From a pure outsiders prospective, it appears that the staff has been under the thinking that Noah would return for one more season but ever since the draft, numerous videos and quotes have been presented that would point in the other direction. In the end, I think there is a better chance than people think of him coming back but based on everything that was said at that draft, and let me be clear, just based on that, I think he will leave but hopefully Coach York can create some magic and get him to return.
The other issue is the ongoing debate over what Jeremy Bracco is going to do next year. Multiple college hockey reporters have come out and said they think there is a 0% chance Bracco ends up on campus in October and I think everyone at BC was taken aback by his quote at the draft when he basically said he would let the Leafs decide what his path was, although he was careful to say "the focus is on BC". Of course, we all know what happened last year with Milano and how much that desecrated our club. If Bracco is going to bolt, which I am convinced he will because of all the swirling rumors, then hopefully he tells the staff in the next couple days instead of waiting until late August so they can try and bring in a replacement, which I have been told they will do if worst comes to worst.
No truth to the rumor that the fireworks you may have heard today after Eichel announced he was leaving came from Chestnut Hill but in all seriousness, that kid is the most NHL ready hockey player I have ever seen. I think he is going to be an all star and get that team to the playoffs next season, he is that good. I wish him nothing but the very best although I sure am happy he won't be skating against BC any time soon.
Yesterday, a Carolina Hurricanes PR guy tweeted out Noah's number (#5) which led to rampant speculation that the 18 year old defenseman had signed with them but there has been no official word and from what I have heard, he has not made up his mind. From a pure outsiders prospective, it appears that the staff has been under the thinking that Noah would return for one more season but ever since the draft, numerous videos and quotes have been presented that would point in the other direction. In the end, I think there is a better chance than people think of him coming back but based on everything that was said at that draft, and let me be clear, just based on that, I think he will leave but hopefully Coach York can create some magic and get him to return.
The other issue is the ongoing debate over what Jeremy Bracco is going to do next year. Multiple college hockey reporters have come out and said they think there is a 0% chance Bracco ends up on campus in October and I think everyone at BC was taken aback by his quote at the draft when he basically said he would let the Leafs decide what his path was, although he was careful to say "the focus is on BC". Of course, we all know what happened last year with Milano and how much that desecrated our club. If Bracco is going to bolt, which I am convinced he will because of all the swirling rumors, then hopefully he tells the staff in the next couple days instead of waiting until late August so they can try and bring in a replacement, which I have been told they will do if worst comes to worst.
No truth to the rumor that the fireworks you may have heard today after Eichel announced he was leaving came from Chestnut Hill but in all seriousness, that kid is the most NHL ready hockey player I have ever seen. I think he is going to be an all star and get that team to the playoffs next season, he is that good. I wish him nothing but the very best although I sure am happy he won't be skating against BC any time soon.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Pat Wey Retires
I wish Pat all the best in whatever lies ahead, once and Eagle, always an Eagle.
Go Eagles.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Bracco Picked But It Looks Bad
Freshman Jeremy Bracco was selected 61st overall this morning by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL draft. However, it has become more and more likely that he will ditch BC for the Kitchener Rangers (OHL). I am not sure how much the Maple Leafs will influence his decision but I do know that Brendan Shanahan has been at a handful of BC's games in the past so he knows what the program is about.
Obviously, we went through this last year but this time around, I think everyone should be prepared for what is coming. I would say there is a 5% chance he ends up at BC next season. Obviously, it would be a total bummer but maybe the kid will step back and think about all the positives of playing college hockey and at BC in particular. In the end, no matter where he plays, we all want him to achieve his goal of donning that blue and white sweater in the near future.
As for what the staff will do to fill the spot (if and when it opens up), it appears that they have a plan to bring in someone to help out next years squad, should their top rated recruit bolt for Canada.
Go Eagles
Obviously, we went through this last year but this time around, I think everyone should be prepared for what is coming. I would say there is a 5% chance he ends up at BC next season. Obviously, it would be a total bummer but maybe the kid will step back and think about all the positives of playing college hockey and at BC in particular. In the end, no matter where he plays, we all want him to achieve his goal of donning that blue and white sweater in the near future.
As for what the staff will do to fill the spot (if and when it opens up), it appears that they have a plan to bring in someone to help out next years squad, should their top rated recruit bolt for Canada.
Go Eagles
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