A New Era

On Friday afternoon, Boston College announced that Greg Brown would be the next head coach of the men's hockey team, just the fifth person to hold the title in the modern history of the program. Brown will succeed his mentor and boss of 14 years, Jerry York, who announced his retirement last month. In addition to his 14 years on York's staff, Brown was an assistant coach for the New York Rangers under David Quinn from 2018-2021 and his most recent stop was as head coach for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. Brown is one of the best defensemen in BC history- registering 120 points in 119 career games- he also played four NHL seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets, and Buffalo Sabres.  

Now that all of the mandatory biographical information is out of the way, I can't begin to tell you just how excited I am for the future of BC hockey with Coach Brown at the helm. From the beginning, I believed he was the best person for this job because of his experience across all levels of the game, his knowledge, particularly when it comes to skill development, his familiarity with BC, and because of how genuine of a person he is. Coach Brown is someone who will lead this program by doing things the right way and BC fans should be ecstatic about this hire. 

Here is what I know about how things went down. BC interviewed a range of candidates, but at the end of the day, it came down to Brown and Providence head coach Nate Leaman. Both candidates interviewed numerous times- with the committee and then with university president Father William P. Leahy, once the process was down to the final two candidates. Leaman ended up with an extension from Providence and I have not heard from any sources that he was actually offered the BC job- I believe he saw the writing on the wall saying that Brown was going to be the next coach given the overwhelming support he had. I believe there were a few factors that propelled Brown to the forefront of the race to succeed Jerry York, with the support among the BC hockey alumni base being a huge driving force behind Brown's candidacy. As others have pointed out, Brown's relationship with the BC hockey program goes back to the late 1980s and spans nearly 20 years. Throughout that time, he made such a lasting impression on so many at BC, that it seemed like it was an easy call for Father Leahy and the BC administration. You don't even have to take my word for it- Twitter is full of endorsements from former players, spanning from Craig Janney to Edwin Shea, all of whom believed Brown was the best man to lead the program going into the future. 

At the end of the day, Brown got this job because he was the best person for it, but I just think it was so cool just how many alums came out of the woodworks to throw their support behind the former BC defenseman. It is hard to get people to agree on what color the sky is these days- the fact that so many in the BC hockey family wanted Greg Brown to take the reins is evidence that there is a renewed sense of optimism around the direction of the program. 

So, now what? BC will hold a press conference introducing Coach Brown next Monday, but there are some questions before we even get there. The first is what Coach Brown will do with the current assistant coaches- Mike Ayers, Brendan Buckley, and volunteer assistant Brooks Orpik. I would be surprised if these coaches are not retained- BC has two unbelievable recruiting classes coming in both this fall and next year and it is absolutely vital that they keep all of those players on board. Coaches Ayers and Buckley did the leg work on getting these top prospects to commit to Boston College and they have a familiarity with the current roster that Coach Brown won't have. Ayers is regarded by many as one of the top recruiters and developers at the goaltender position in college hockey- he also interviewed for the head coaching job and made a lasting impression on many in the administration, I am told. I would be very, very surprised if he isn't on the bench leading BC's recruiting efforts next season. Obviously, this depends on A- whether Coach Brown wants to clear the deck and bring in his own staff (again, my guess is that he will retain everyone) and B- whether those coaches want to continue to be at BC, which I am guessing they do. 

Secondly, there is the question of if BC is bringing in any additional players, via the transfer portal or the (limited) unsigned prospect pool. In my mind, BC has to try to add another top six forward, which isn't the easiest thing to do in May. As of now, I expect Kuntar, Nesterenko, Ambrosio, Gauthier, Jellvik, and perhaps Gasseau, to make up the bulk of BC's top lines. That is a relatively solid group, but one more addition and you have three legitimate lines that can be a threat on the ice at any point in the game. Some have suggested that they try to accelerate one of their top 2023 commits such as Will Smith- that won't happen. BC already brought in Cam Burke from Notre Dame as a grad transfer, but he will be the third line center, not a top six guy. So, I think Coach Brown's first roster-building priority will be going out and bringing in at least one more forward. There are a couple of uncommitted prospects left- the most notable being Cruz Lucius, who just decomitted from Minnesota, but I would be pretty surprised if BC were able to pull something like that off given that Lucius is from the Midwest.

On the blue line, I think BC is a little bit more set, despite losing both Jack St. Ivany (my sources say he will sign later this summer) and Drew Helleson. In my chart, I have Seamus Powell coming in 2023, but I think it would make the most sense for them to just push him up a year, unless they can find someone in the portal. With Powell, they would have 8 defensemen on the roster, but that includes Cade Alami, who only played ten games last season. 

In an ideal world, BC would be able to add both another forward and another defenseman through the transfer portal, something they have done in the past, but I am not sure how a coaching change alters their ability to pursue that path. 

So, that is all I have for now- I will continue to post on either a weekly or biweekly basis leading up to the season, especially when there is major recruiting news. I just want to reiterate how happy I am for Coach Brown and his family- he is so deserving of this job, and I have no doubt that he will lead the program to great heights over the coming years. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for Boston College hockey!

Down to the Wire

Alright, we have some coaching search updates. Let's get right to it.  

Today, I learned from sources that Providence College head coach Nate Leaman interviewed earlier this week for the BC head coaching spot. Leaman's resume speaks for itself- the crown jewel is the 2015 national championship win over Boston University at the TD Garden in a game where the Friars were hefty underdogs against a loaded Terrier squad. Even if Leaman does not get the job, we BC fans will always be thankful for that game. In my mind, Leaman is one of, if not the top, coach in college hockey. He has led the Friars to two Frozen Fours and six NCAA appearances in ten years (nine years if you exclude the COVID season). Compare that to how the Friars were before he got there- they won 8 games in 2011, 10 games in 2010, 7 in 2009, 14 in 2008, and 10 in 2007. Before going to Providence, Leaman led Union to the NCAA tournament and essentially recruited the entire Dutchman team that won a championship in 2014.  Leaman's work in Friartown has been nothing short of miraculous- he has taken the Friars from a Hockey East bottom dweller to perhaps the most consistent team in the conference over the past ten years. 

Leaman's teams play a hardnose, physical style of hockey that is very different from the type of hockey BC fans had come to expect under Jerry York. Providence has not had the type of talent BC or BU has had over the past decade, but they are performing better than those teams almost year in and year out. Now, the question is, if Leaman gets the job, would he stick to the slug it out style of play that has led him to so much success or would he implement a more up-tempo system that utilizes what will be a host of a talented players on BC's roster. 

Getting back to the search, I tweeted earlier today that there are three finalist- Leaman, Greg Brown, and Mark Dennehy, but after doing some more digging and talking with more sources, I believe either Nate Leaman or Greg Brown will be the next head coach at Boston College. Over the past couple of days, a committee, including now departing AD Pat Kraft, held interviews in a hotel outside of Boston, and they will make a recommendation to Father Leahy, who will ultimately sign off on it (or not). The candidates will meet individually with Father Leahy over the course of the next few days on campus. 

My thoughts- 

 I believe Greg Brown should be the next head coach at BC. I have put a lot of thought into this (probably more than I probably should have)- and I have come to the conclusion that he has the experience, the knowledge, and the character to be the next head coach. Yes, I know what you're thinking, that I am only saying this because I've known Coach Brown for years, but that could not be further from the truth. I care immensely about BC Hockey- there are very, very few people who have been to more games over the past ten years than I have. I would not "endorse" (not that anyone cares what I think) anyone to be the head coach based on any personal feelings- I want this program to be where it was in the 2010s, competing for national championships every single year. BC has the resources, the talent pool, and the support to get back to where it once was and I know Brown is the right man to lead the charge. I spent my freshman and sophomore years at BC as a student manager for the hockey team and while I would never divulge anything sensitive about my time there, I can absolutely say that each and every player enjoyed playing for and respected Coach Brown- his knowledge when it comes to the game of hockey is second to none. On top of that, I guarantee you that you cannot find someone who does not like being around Greg Brown- he is one of the most genuine people you will come across. Some people I have talked to expressed concern about whether or not Brown can recruit at the highest level- I think his track record, in addition to the staff he will have around him is more than enough evidence to show that he can bring the best of the best to Boston College. All of the top end defensemen BC had during their dominant run in the 2010s- Matheson, McCoshen, Santini, Hanifin, etc.- who do you think was primarily responsible for recruiting those guys? Furthermore, if Brown gets the job, he will in all likelihood keep Mike Ayers and Brendan Buckley on as assistant coaches. These two guys were the primary recruiters for the vast majority of prospects in BC's 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes- with the former being one of the top groups in the nation and the latter being the best in program history. I understand that the past couple of seasons have been underwhelming- but the program is in a good position going forward with the players both returning and coming in over the next two seasons. 

Look, I have a ton of respect for what Nate Leaman has accomplished at Providence- it is, along with what Greg Carvel has done at UMass- one of the best turnarounds I have ever seen in college sports. However, I do have some worries. My first concern would be the playing style- I just don't know if Leaman's preferred style of play would fit with the mold of player he would have at BC. I do think the Eagles need to play with more of an edge, and Leaman would undoubtedly bring that, but would translate to more wins in March? I am not sure. Secondly, think about the long-term implications of this hire. BC hockey needs someone who can lead the program for the foreseeable future. It is no secret in the hockey world that Leaman has his sights set on a professional job. What does the program do if, say, they hire Leaman, he has a great first year, but the NHL comes calling and we are doing this all over again next April? Who do you turn to then? I have little doubt that if Leaman were the guy, he would propel BC back to where it needs to be in short order, but I have questions about how long he will stick around and the program absolutely cannot undergo two coaching changes in such a short period of time.  With Greg Brown at the helm, I believe you have someone who is committed to leading this program well into the future and this will allow BC to recruit at an even higher level. As I said in my first post after York retired, it is amazing how well BC recruited over the past two years with all of the question marks surrounding a potential retirement. With Brown at the helm, you have a coach who is immensely popular with alums and players leading the way and I have no doubts that it will lead to a program resurgence.  

I understand that a vast majority of you will disagree with what I have written here. The bottom line is, no matter who BC hires, they are going to get a great coach with decades of experience across all levels of the game. Whether it is Brown or Leaman, it is my hope that the administration, fanbase and alumni network will do whatever it takes to ensure that the next coach brings back banner #6 in short order (a few wins over BU would be nice, to). 

That is all I have for now- I am playing against the two best players at our club this weekend, both of whom outdrive me by at least 75 yards, so we will see how that goes. I will provide any coaching search updates I have on my Twitter handle (@BCHockeyblogger).

Coaching Search Updates

You didn't think I'd pull a Mike Milbury and retire after one week, did you? This week, I have some coaching search tidbits that I've picked up through conversations with sources around college hockey. Let's jump right in. 

To my surprise, Mike Cavanaugh pulled his name out of the running for the BC job today, saying in a statement released by UConn, "I am committed to continuing to lead this program into a bright future".  My sources tell me that BC and Cavanaugh were extremely close to coming to a deal- he has a very, very good relationship with BC president William P. Leahy, S.J. and formally interviewed for the job on Monday. After hearing that Cav was on the verge of coming to BC, UConn gave him a pay bump. This, in addition to his Connecticut state pension, which goes into effect next year, were major reasons why Coach Cav decided to stay in Storrs. The fact that UConn is building an on-campus hockey facility next year also did not hurt. I have no reason to believe that Cav "used" BC to get more money from UConn- he was genuinely torn on what to do and in the end, decided to stay at a program he has built from the bottom up. Obviously, I wish Coach Cav nothing but the best- while it did not work out with BC, he deserves a ton of credit for staying committed to UConn and the program he built there. 

Ok, so now what? I think this is Greg Brown's job to lose at the moment. It is not a done deal, in fact far from it, but he is the favorite. I have heard from sources that Brown is meeting with BC athletic director Pat Kraft this weekend to discuss the opening. The only question mark (I would not call it a concern), on BC's part, would likely be the USHL schedule. Brown is currently the head coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, a team set to play in the USHL playoffs next weekend. If his team continues to advance, there is a chance they play well into May. Knowing Coach Brown, he wouldn't leave his team in the midst of a playoff run, but with the introduction of the transfer portal, there is an opportunity for the next BC coach to shape next year's roster right away. The longer it takes to name a coach, the less time that new coach will have to reset a roster that needs at least one more top-six forward for next fall. 

As for the other front-runners, I think there are some other names to watch.  First, there is Mark Dennehy- someone we had as one of the favorites to get the job when it opened last week. Dennehy has been courting BC hockey alums to garner support for his candidacy and there are many who think he would be the best replacement. Dennehy is currently the Chief Amateur Scout for the New Jersey Devils and is plugged in across the entire recruiting landscape, whether it be in the US, Canada, or Europe, which is a huge plus. 

A second name to keep an eye on is Ted Donato. Now, I do not think Donato is going to leave Harvard, but his contract is up soon, his son is graduating this spring, and he is looking for a pay boost. In my mind, Donato has done a great job in Cambridge over the past six or seven years- remember how much of a laughingstock Harvard was in the early part of the 2010s? Of course, Donato is a Harvard alum, so there are rumors that he is just looking for his alma mater to give him a (deserved) pay bump, but do not count him out. If we are being honest, I did not include Donato in my initial list, but I do think it would be a solid hire, if he actually left Harvard- he has consistently recruited at a high level and his teams play a fast, up-tempo style of hockey that is often highlighted by one of the nation's premier power plays year in and year out. 

As of now, I'd have Brown as the favorite with Dennehy close behind. I know BC has been reaching out to some non-BC candidates, but many of these potential candidates, like Nate Leaman, are in strong jobs with contracts that are hard to see BC matching. To me, we will know for sure at some point this weekend whether BC has any chance of landing one of these "big fish", particularly Leaman, whose athletic director is retiring this summer. The obvious hurdle to landing Leaman would be his contract- he is one of the highest paid coaches in college hockey, making over $700,000 per year. 

Lastly, regarding the opening at Boston University, I have heard from numerous sources that Mike Hastings of Minnesota State is a candidate and was recommended by former Terrier head coach, David Quinn. Hastings and Quinn are very close friends and have coached together on the international circuit. While Hastings is garnering interest, my money is still on Jay Pandolfo landing the BU job. 

That is all I have for updates- if I hear of anything else this weekend, I will be sure to let you know on Twitter. I am off to New Jersey for a "Ryder Cup" event with my college roommates- my team is 0-2 all time and if we lose again we may need a new BC hockey head coach and blogger! 

We Meet Again

We are back! I'm not going to say much about the blog returning because there are a lot more important topics to discuss, but it is safe to say that I have missed doing this. As I said on my Twitter feed, I know that no one cares about what I've been up to, but to make a long story short, my old Twitter account was hacked. I tried reaching out to Twitter Support numerous times, but they were about as helpful as a blind caddy on the course. Anyways, what I can promise you is that I will do my best to bring you up to date information on BC hockey. I won't be able to travel to Mars and Pluto for every road game and I will have to cut back on the number of posts I write, but I am going to keep an active Twitter handle while also posting about various topics- specifically, recruiting, when I can. Now that that's over with, let's get down to the news of the day. 

I was as shocked as anyone else when Coach York announced he was stepping down yesterday. In fact, I think my co-worker was about to call MGH after I fell out of my chair in the state of shock. Walking out of Matthews Arena a month ago, I never in a million years thought that would be Coach York's last game at BC. Looking back on it now, it is almost surreal that it ended the way it did. The question of who would take over for Coach York has dominated our family gatherings for my entire life- I think I've been asked who will take over more than I've been asked what my name is. Now, that question becomes reality.

For me, yesterday was a sad day. My fondest sports memories will always emanate from BC hockey- I've traveled all over the country watching Coach York's teams. If you ask me, the national titles, Beanpots, and Hockey East championships were all well and good, but the single best moment of the York era was the 5-0 win over BU in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. It was truly one of the great beatdowns in program history. I think people take for granted just how bad BC was when Coach York took over- between Mike Milbury being head coach for about 15 seconds, Steve Cedorchuk's teams winning 13 games in two years, and an absolute trainwreck of a scholarship situation, BC hockey was in a horrible spot when Coach York came home. Fast forward 28 years and we could not have been more spoiled as a fanbase. 4 national titles, 9 Beanpots, 9 Hockey East tournament titles, some great wins over BU, and countless NHL stars highlighted what was maybe the best run in college hockey history from the late 1990s up until 2016.  

On a personal note, I will always be thankful for how Coach York treated me when I was writing this blog and when I was a student manager for two years. I was a little bit nervous going into my freshman year at BC- after all, I had written some not-so-nice words about some of players and coaches that were already on that team. Coach York went out of his way to make me feel like I was a part of that team and it made my transition to college that much smoother. I wish Coach absolutely nothing but the best in his next chapter- the membership at Oakley CC better watch out when the club championship comes around this summer. 

So, what is next? Well, I have a list here of potential candidates listed in order, from who I think the favorite is (first listed name) to some more longshot candidates (last names listed). Think of this as like a list of odds, with the favorite being at the top and the under dog being at the bottom. I will also create a poll to try to get a sense of who the fanbase wants to see as the next leader of the Eagles. On my Twitter handle, I will publish any and all news I have. Please feel free to shoot me a Twitter DM if you have any comments. 

Greg Brown 

The longtime BC assistant is, along with Mike Cavanaugh, undoubtedly one of the first names that will come up during this search. Brown, currently the head coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, was at BC for fourteen seasons, helping the Eagles to three national titles. Brown also had a three-year stint with the New York Rangers as an assistant to David Quinn. To me, Brown has all the qualities needed to be the next head coach at Boston College. He has a stellar resume- highlighted by the fact that his Dubuque team has already won thirteen more games this season than they did a season ago- he is probably more familiar with the program than any other candidate on this list, he was one of the best defensemen in BC history, and he has shown that he can recruit at a high level. Brown was primarily responsible for recruiting and developing some of BC's best defensemen- including Mike Matheson, Brian Dumoulin, Noah Hanifin, and Ian McCoshen. Brown has to be one of, if not the first, phone call Pat Kraft makes. 

Mike Cavanaugh 

I would call Cavanaugh and Brown "co-favorites". Like Brown, Cavanaugh has a long track record- he was an assistant at BC from 1995 until 2013, having a hand in all four of BC's titles under York. In fact, since Cavanaugh's departure in 2013, the Eagles have been unable to get back to the mountaintop. As you likely know, Cavanaugh is now the head coach at Connecticut. In my mind, Cav has done a pretty remarkable job at UConn. Remember, this was a bottom tier Atlantic Hockey program when he took over. Unlike BC, hockey is an afterthought at UConn and not having a dedicated home rink (until next year) certainly hasn't helped his cause. To me, the most impressive thing Cav has done is how he's upgraded UConn's recruiting prowess. The Huskies have had more than their share of high-end players over the last couple of years- in fact, I'd argue that this year's version of the Huskies was more talented than almost every other team in Hockey East, including BC. Next year, UConn has one of the top recruits in the country committed in Matthew Wood (an 05 birthdate who is reportedly accelerating). There were numerous rumors floating around yesterday indicating that Cavanaugh already had the job locked up- I have confirmed with sources that this is false, but he will get a long look. Despite UConn getting their new facility next fall, I would be surprised if Cav turned down the BC job to stay at UConn. BC is one of the top jobs in the sport and as well as he has done at UConn, the facilities and recruiting base at BC dwarf those at Connecticut. 

Mark Dennehy 

I would have Dennehy just a notch below Brown and Cavanaugh in terms of odds to get the job. From sources I have talked to, Dennehy has already begun reaching out to BC hockey alums in an attempt to garner support for his candidacy. I have also talked to some regional scouts who have maintained for a few years now that Dennehy would be the most logical replacement. Shortly after he was fired at Merrimack, Dennehy was very close to taking over for Greg Brown as BC's top assistant, but a deal eventually fell through. There are two sides to Dennehy's candidacy- on the one hand, he was fired at Merrimack after a few down years, but on the other hand (and I am much more sympathetic to this view) he built that program up for essentially nothing and brought them to the point where they were one of the best teams in the nation in 2011. Mike McMahon had an interesting tweet yesterday detailing just how much of a mess Merrimack was when Dennehy took over- the program was almost shut down. Dennehy, currently the Chief Amateur Scout for the New Jersey Devils, played at Boston College from 1987-1991. 

Let's pause there. I would be SHOCKED if BC hired someone other than one of these three. I think they are by far and away the favorites for the job, based on their longtime ties to BC and their outstanding resumes. 

For my next bucket, I am going to look at current Hockey East coaches who could (and should) get a look. 

Greg Carvel

You all know this name by now. Carvel has been responsible for the most incredible turnaround I have seen in my life- if you remember, BC beat UMass 8-0 in 2016 for Coach York's 1,000th win. The score could well have been 18-0 if BC hadn't taken their foot off the gas. Fast forward to 2022 and Carvel has won a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at UMASS- it still blows my mind just typing- not to mention the numerous other NCAA appearances and Hockey East titles. As for whether he would leave Amherst, I have to think he would at least give it some thought. The bottom line is, it is a lot easier to recruit and sustain success at BC than it is at UMass. Would Carvel want to jump the mighty ship that he built up? I am not sure, but he did leave his alma mater, St. Lawrence, for UMass a few years ago, so the precedent is there. Carvel currently makes $500,000 at UMass and if he were to leave for another college job, he would owe UMass $500,000 in buyout money. If you combine his salary, the buyout, and the salaries for new assistants, you are looking at a steep price, but that is what it would take to bring in the best coach in college hockey (besides maybe Scott Sandelin). This would obviously thrill the entire fanbase, but I just don't see it happening. 

Norm Bazin 

Another coach who has worked miracles at his institution. Bazin's resume is every bit as good as Carvel's, sans the national championship. I am a bit bewildered as to why Bazin is still at Lowell- I know he tried to get the Denver job a few years ago- and I would be very surprised if BC hired him, but he obviously knows how to build a winning program. Kraft would be foolish not to interview Bazin. 

Nate Leaman 

Another name that would get BC fans fired up, but I think there is a better chance Leaman goes to the NHL than to another college job. He has been at Providence for over ten years now, so maybe he is looking for a new challenge, but the rumor has that he is one of the highest paid coaches in the game with a large buyout. Maybe I am wrong, but I just don't think BC would shell out that type of money to hire someone who does not have any real connections to the school- same deal as Carvel.  

Again, I would be stunned if BC was able to pull in any of these three. They are well compensated, safe in their current jobs, and have known pro aspirations.  

Here are some other names that BC should look at, but I would consider them to be long shots. 

Mike Ayers 

The current BC associate head coach has been instrumental in getting some of BC's recent high end recruits. The 2023 recruiting class, maybe the best one BC has ever had, has his fingerprints all over it and from what I hear, many of the current players want Ayers to get the job. He is a popular figure in the locker room and has an extensive track record of recruiting and developing several high end netminders such as Thatcher Demko, Joe Woll, and Spencer Knight.  The one thing holding Ayers back will probably be his lack of head coaching experience- unlike everyone else I have on this list, he has never been a head coach in college hockey or at any other level. Whatever happens, the next coach would be very wise to keep Ayers around given how well he did recruiting BC's 2022 and 2023 classes. 

JD Forrest 

Currently the head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Forrest was a standout defenseman at BC from 2000-2004. This may be a name that flies under the radar. Forrest has quietly amassed a solid coaching resume- in addition to coaching in the AHL, he coached the United States team in the Hlinka Gretzky cup in 2021. 

Scott Gordon 

Gordon has as much, if not more, coaching experience than anyone on this list. Highlighted by stints as a head coach for both the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers, Gordon has a long resume filled with positions around pro hockey. Gordon would also fit the bill of being a "BC guy" as he was a goaltender for the Eagles from 1982-1986. 

Eric Lang 

The first non- Hockey East college head coach I have listed, I think Lang would be an interesting hire. AIC is perhaps the toughest job in the entire country, but during Lang's tenure, they have made the NCAA tournament in each of the past three seasons (it likely would have been four straight appearances had the tournament not been cancelled in 2020). While I think Lang would be a good hire, I think the safer bet is him taking over at Connecticut if Cavanaugh comes to BC. I'd consider this a bit of a long shot. 

Mike Hastings 

Currently the head coach at Minnesota State, this is another hire that would surprise me. Hastings has a great thing going in Mankato- they're consistently the best team in their conference and have shown they can be a national power. His son does go to Northeastern, so perhaps that could draw him to Boston. Again, not to sound like a broken record, but this would also surprise me. 

Not a chance in hell list- 

David Quinn

Not happening. There's a better chance of me shooting 65 tomorrow than Quinn picking BC over BU and the NHL.

My thoughts- Obviously, I am still in the state of shock about what took place yesterday. BC will hold a press conference for Coach York on Tuesday afternoon in the Yawkey Center and then after that, the AHCA convention in Naples, FL takes place. From what I have heard, BC is expected to start its interview process once the convention concludes, which would be in about a week and a half. I do not expect this to be a quick decision- nor should it be, given the state of the program. I will dive more into roster specific issues at some point down the road, once this process is over, but the next coach will inherit a relatively subpar roster (for BC's standards) but also two very solid recruiting classes. This fall's class is headlined by Cutter Gauthier, a projected top-20 pick in this summer's NHL Entry Draft. In addition to Gauthier, BC has some strong commits in Oskar Jellvik (a Bruins pick), Charlie Leddy, and Andre Gasseau (also a Bruins pick). Another twist to consider is the transfer portal- a tool BC used to fill out its roster this past season. I figured the Eagles would have more than one transfer by now (Cam Burke from Notre Dame), but obviously there was more going on behind the scenes than any of us knew about. There are still hundreds of names in there (including BU star Robert Mastrosimone), so the new staff will have time to make some moves. One could argue that it would be wise for BC to act as quickly as possible so that the new coach can attack the portal right away, but the more important move is for them to get someone that will keep the program set up for the long term.  

The most important task the new coach will have upon arriving on campus is keeping the 2023 recruiting class in check. Headlined by Will Smith, that class is, as I said earlier, as good as it gets. So, while next year may not be a walk in the park given all of the departures, the next coach will be set up for future success because of the recruiting efforts by coaches York, Ayers, and Buckley. If, as I predict, BC hires one of the "big three" (Brown, Cavanaugh, Dennehy), then I would be stunned if Ayers and Buckley aren't retained- they are the primary reasons why BC has been able to recruit as well as it has, despite some question marks surrounding Coach York's potential retirement. If anything, a new coach with these assistants should be able to recruit at an even higher level because every prospect will know that the new coach will be there for the long haul.

So, those are my thoughts. I won't be posting every single of hour of every day like old times, but I will try to use my Twitter handle as much as possible. I plan on writing on here every now and then- for big games, important events, and recruiting news, but it won't be as much in terms of quantity as it was six years ago. 

As always, please shoot me an email or Twitter DM (@BCHockeyBlogger) if you have any concerns or if you just want to talk about how Phil Mickelson really won the PGA Championship. 

Go Eagles!

;

Changing It Up

As some of you may know, I am getting set to enter my first year of college in a few weeks. This spring, when I gained admissions into school (I don't know how it happened either), I wrote that I would sit back and ponder the future of the blog over summer vacation and take it from there.

Here we are.

To make a long story short, I learned that there was an open managing position for the BC Hockey team and after asking just about everyone what they thought the best route would be, I am going to give it a shot. Consequently, there will be no Boston College Hockey Blog this upcoming season. While this is not the most popular website in the history of the internet, I understand that there is a substantial number of devoted followers who rely on this blog for up to date information on their beloved Eagles. The guys over at BC Interruption do an exceptional job of covering BC Hockey and they will continue to post game recaps, opinion pieces, and recruiting updates- make sure to check them out if you have not yet had a chance to do so.

At the end of the day, it's impossible for me to be a student, manager, and maintain this website on a daily basis. I have an enormous amount of respect for the players and coaches- running this blog while being inside the locker room would be totally unfair and wrong.

I never believed this thing would get more than two views, one from my laptop and one from my desktop. Thanks to hours of hard work and dedication from a lot of people, particularly my parents, that was not the case. From the first game I covered at BU in January of 2011, a 3-2 win for the good guys, to the heartbreaking loss at the hands of Quinnipiac in April, I could sit here for hours and discuss my favorite memories from running the BC Hockey Blog. At the end of the day, it was never about the games and recruiting battles that were won or lost, it was about meeting scores of individuals that have a tremendous amount of passion for a sport, a school, and a team that I myself deeply care about.

The coaches and players were always classy when it came to dealing with me, even if I wasn't always singing their praises. I tried my best to provide fair and insightful coverage every time I inked a post- even though it did not always work out that way.

I'm excited for the future of this program. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know what this season holds. They could surprise people and morph into a legitimate contender but at the same time, they lost a ton of firepower from a season ago and it could take a few months for the rookies to adjust. As long as Coach York is at the helm, BC will be a threat to anyone in college hockey and with the recruiting classes they have set to arrive in the coming years, it won't be long until they are back in the winners circle.

So that is that. I will still be kicking around (knock on wood) Kelley Rink on game days so if you see a 5'7 kid with his hair gelled like a circus clown, don't be afraid to come over and talk some BC Hockey (or Phil Mickelson's golf game).

Someday in the future, I will reboot this thing, but until that point, thanks for all the memories- this has been an absolute blast.

Go Eagles.

Staff Lands First 2001 Defenseman

Continuing the trend of young commitments throughout college hockey, BC locked up its third 2001 birthdate this morning when defenseman Drew Helleson announced his intentions to play at The Heights. Helleson joins Patrick Moynihan and Spencer Knight in BC's 2019 class.

A native of Farmington, Minnesota, Helleson recorded 34 points in 46 games for the National Champion Shattuck St Mary's boys bantam squad. The loaded Sabres also featured prominent blue liners Braden Doyle (BU) and Cam York, one of the top uncommitted prospects in the United States. Nevertheless, Helleson is a major add for the Eagles as most scouting websites seem to think he will be given a long look next spring for the NTDP. Scout Matt Grainda describes Helleson as a "smart puck mover, plays a very balanced game". Western Elite Hockey Prospects has Helleson rated as their 9th best 2001 birthdate while The Scouting News believes Helleson is "one of the most complete 2001 defensemen in the world right now". At last week's Junior Chowder Cup, Helleson notched 3 points in 3 games but his Hockey Essentials squad fell to Moynihan's Black Squirrels club in the tournament final.

At first glance, this appears to be another nice get for a BC staff that has taken their recruiting game up three or four notches over the past twelve months. It is impossible to predict how young kids will develop between now and September of 2019 but Helleson, Moynihan, and Knight are three blue chip prospects that should mold into terrific college hockey players.

Go Eagles

Couturier Transferring to UMass

 Josh Couturier put an end to the rumors surrounding his future this afternoon by announcing that he will be suiting up for UMass-Amherst in 2017.  Due to NCAA rules, the Newburyport native will have to sit out a year before hitting the ice for head coach Greg Carvel.

Good luck to Josh as he heads to a place where he will inevitably get more playing time. While there may have been an outside shot of Couturier skating for BC this year, it would have been in a reduced role and that is without considering the scholarship situation.

I don't envision BC bringing in one more player this fall as it's too late in the game to find someone that can contribute at a high level. That being said, with Scott Savage graduating next spring, the staff will need to find a replacement as the class of 2017 is stocked with 8 forwards and 0 blue liners. We shall see what the future holds.

Go Eagles

Couturier News- UPDATED*******

Update- Since last night's report by SB Nation College Hockey that Josh Couturier was transferring to UNH, I have learned that this is NOT the case- he is not going there. The belief is that the Newburyport native is still looking to transfer but again, the report that he is headed to New Hampshire is false.

Mike Campoli Injured at Sabres Camp

Things turned scary this afternoon at Buffalo Sabres' development camp as incoming freshman Michael Campoli was the victim of an awkward hit. The initial reports were chilling as beat writers posted pictures of Campoli being carted off by a medical team but since then, the Quebec native has left the hospital and seems to be feeling fine. 

Despite not getting drafted, Campoli will be an integral part of BC's revamped defense this fall as he may be the only true "shut down" guy they have on the roster. While the other three freshmen defenders are known for their ability to spread the ice with speed and skill, Campoli's  style mirrors that of Steve Santini. 

Thankfully, it doesn't appear as if this incident will hamper his ability to get going in September. 

Go Eagles 

Sanford Gone

The Washington Capitals confirmed this afternoon that sophomore forward Zach Sanford has signed with the team, becoming the seventh Eagle to leave early this offseason.

First of all, congratulations to Zach and his family- I know that he will continue to work hard and do all he can to become an every day NHL player next October. He would not have signed unless Washington promised him a long look at camp and from what I have heard, GM Brian MacLellan believes the Salem, Massachusetts native has a shot at making the big squad right out of camp.

For BC, this is obviously a huge blow. Twitter and the message boards will go on and on about how BC should no longer recruit "mercenaries" and how no one is "loyal" to Coach York. I don't believe much of that. After what happened with Jimmy Vesey, NHL teams don't want their draftees to enter the final year before free agency because they run the obvious risk of losing some assets. Sanford, although a sophomore, was drafted in the same year as Miles Wood, Steve Santini, and Ian McCoshen- all of whom signed early as well. Next year is going to consist of some growing pains, especially if Colin White exits but if he stays, at least BC will be able to depend on two of the top playmakers in college hockey- White and Ryan Fitzgerald. If some of the younger guys can hit their stride by February and March, who knows what this team is capable of. The talent level may not be where it was this past season but one thing I have learned throughout my time following Eagle hockey is that Coach York and his staff will find a way to get them playing at a high level. They may not be the most talented maroon and gold squad ever to hit the ice, but I know they'll surprise people.

Go Eagles 

Staff Picks Up First 2002 Commit

 Defenseman Stephen Davis out of Hingham became the first 2002 birthdate to commit to BC yesterday afternoon. As you might expect, there is not much information floating around the internet with regards to fourteen year old hockey players but Davis is considered the type of skater that could develop into a star down the road. When recruiting this level, the staff isn't looking at where players are at now as much as they are trying to project where the prospects will be three years down the road. According to those who have seen have him play, Davis is a good sized defenseman with high end speed. Last summer, the US Hockey Report scouted Davis at Harvard's prospect camp and wrote that he "has size and the requisite tools, it will be interesting to see how he develops."

SB Nation College Hockey's Jeff Cox spoke to Davis' junior coach and former Maine Black Bear, Tim Lovell, who described the 02 as a kid he expects to morph into a top end NCAA and NHL prospect down the road. Lovell added that Davis, "sees the ice well, is great defensively, and has improved in the puck handling department."

I don't believe any coaches in college hockey actually want to begin recruiting kids at this age but as soon as one program does it, the others will begin to follow in fear of falling behind. Teams such as Vermont and Notre Dame got the ball rolling so expect BC to try and put an emphasis on securing a couple of verbal commitments from the 01 and 02 age groups before summer comes to a close.

Go Eagles

Eagles at NHL Development Camps

It's that time of year again as a bevy of Eagles are dispersing all around the country to their respective NHL development camps. Here is the current list-

Chris Calnan- Chicago

Chris Brown- Buffalo

Mike Campoli (free agent)- Buffalo

Casey Fitzgerald- Buffalo

Colin White- Ottawa

Zach Sanford- Washington

Ryan Fitzgerald- Boston

David Cotton- Carolina

Zach Walker (free agent)- Nashville

Joseph Woll- Toronto

Joey Dudek- New Jersey

Scott Savage (free agent)- New Jersey

Luke McInnis (free agent)- New Jersey

Chris Shero (free agent)- New Jersey

Austin Cangelosi (free agent)- New Jersey

Good luck to all of those guys- the season is just around the corner.

Go Eagles

Calnan Named Captain

Senior forward Chris Calnan has been named captain for the 2016-17 season, as announced by the team's official Twitter account this morning. In April, Coach York stated that Ian McCoshen would lead the charge this upcoming fall but as expected, McCoshen signed with the Florida Panthers. That opened the door for Calnan, who will be assisted by fellow senior forwards Austin Cangelosi and Ryan Fitzgerald.

One of the aspects I like about this club, at least heading into the season, is that some of their best players will be in leadership positions. That has not been the case in years past with the rise of early departures by junior year. Although BC's freshmen class is full of older players, there is a good chance the Eagles will be breaking in nearly seven rookies when the puck drops in October, meaning the captains are going to have to find a way to acclimate the new guys sooner rather than later.

Go Eagles

Tolvanen Staying in USHL

According to THN's Ryan Kennedy, BC recruit and top 2017 draft prospect Eeli Tolvanen will head back to Sioux City (USHL) next season instead of bolting for the Oshawa Generals (OHL). This is huge news for BC, as Kennedy also reported that Tolvanen is still set on coming to Chestnut Hill in the fall of 2017, after one more season in the USHL, a league that has become a showcase for top end players over the past five years.

As BC fans well know, these situations are fluid and anything can change, especially in a year's time. That being said, Tolvanen going back to Sioux City is a major win for the staff.

Here is Kennedy's article- LINK 

Tolvanen Taken In CHL Import Draft

 BC recruit and top 2017 NHL Draft prospect Eeli Tolvanen was taken by the Oshawa Generals with the 17th pick in the CHL Import Draft this afternoon. Needless to say, this will kick off a heated recruiting battle between BC and the club that also drafted incoming freshman Joseph Woll. 

 Corey Pronman, a scout who typically covers NHL Drafts for ESPN.com, wrote two days ago that he believes Tolvanen has an outside chance of being the #1 pick next season, depending on how he performs this year. Currently, Pronman has Tolvanen ranked #2. If Tolvanen decides to go back to the USHL for another season, then that is a good sign for BC, given that USHL products typically tend to opt for the college route- with some exceptions here and there (Ivan Provorov). 

Tolvanen is the type of player that can make major impacts on this program in many different ways. If he does stay committed to BC, he could be one of the most talented players to grace college hockey in the past ten years. 

Three Eagles Selected at NHL Draft

Two incoming freshmen and one rising sophomore were selected at the NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York this weekend. The first Eagle off the board was highly touted recruit Joseph Woll, who went to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round. With Toronto being down the road from Oshawa, concerns were raised about whether or not Woll will show up because we all know what happened to the last Eagle to be drafted by Toronto. Lou Lamoriello and the Maple Leafs staff are devoted proponents of the NCAA route and after talking with some people at BC, it seems as if everyone is extremely confident that the St. Louis native will show up in September.

24 picks later, sophomore Casey Fitzgerald was selected by the Buffalo Sabres, capping off an incredible 2016 season where he was certainly one of the best rookie defensemen in the country. Of course, playing alongside someone like Ian McCoshen didn't hurt Casey's prospects but I thought he was perhaps BC's most consistent freshman last season. The staff will undoubtedly be expecting him to lead what will be a young Eagle blue line this winter.

Lastly, Graham McPhee was selected in the fifth round by the Edmonton Oilers. The son of former Washington GM George McPhee had an up and down season with the NTDP, but from those that have seen him play, there is a lot of potential that has yet to be unleashed. I'm hoping McPhee's situation works out a bit like Fitzgerald's because in both cases, there were a handful of players from their fellow NTDP squads that got more accolades and I feel like these guys have flown under the radar. I don't expect McPhee to come in here and be one of the top forwards right off the bat, however, if he can produce somewhere around 25 points, it would be a step in the right direction.

All in all, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I thought there was an outside chance Luke McInnis would get drafted but unfortunately for him, that did not happen. Assuming nothing crazy takes place between now and October (a bold assumption), the Eagles will have 10 NHL draft picks on their roster next season.

Catching Up

A few quick notes as we approach NHL Draft weekend.

I expect that Joe Woll and Graham McPhee will hear their names called in either the third or fourth rounds while guys like Luke McInnis, Mike Campoli, Jesper Mattila, and Zach Walker are all possibilities for the fifth and sixth rounds.

Woll and Casey Fitzgerald were named to the US National Junior Evaluation Camp roster this afternoon, but, in an odd move, the school only mentioned Fitzgerald in their press release. Woll has signed his letter of intent so they can comment on him without issue. Perhaps I am reading too far into it but there have been rumors that Woll could possibly sign with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. Colin White will miss camp due to an injury but don't worry, it's nothing serious and I would be stunned beyond belief if he was not on the squad for a second straight season.

That is all I got. Go Eagles.

Ian McCoshen Signs With Florida

In the least surprising move of the summer, various reports have stated that defenseman Ian McCoshen has signed with the Florida Panthers, the team that drafted him three seasons ago. Although Florida has yet to send out an official press release, it is all but certain that the Eagles will lose their top blue liner from a season ago.

I've said all along that I think McCoshen is the most pro ready player not only from last year's club, but perhaps in all of college hockey. Time and time again, the staff had him out there against some of the most talented players in the country and he seemingly always pulled through with clutch performances. I wish him nothing but the best of luck in the Sunshine State.

 BC had known about this for a long time as McCoshen informed them a while back that he wouldn't be returning, it just took some time for him and the Panthers to reach a deal. As of right now, the staff is set to bring in freshmen Connor Moore, Mike Campoli, Luke McInnis, and Jesper Mattila to help alleviate the losses of McCoshen and Steve Santini.

Congrats to Ian and Go Eagles.

Staff Lands Top Uncommitted Prospect

Finnish forward and top 2017 draft prospect Eeli Tolvanen committed to Boston College this afternoon, giving the Eagles their eight member of the 2017 class, all of which are forwards. Tolvanen is a prototypical BC dynamo at 5'10, 178 pounds and scouts I have talked to compared his style of play to former Eagles Cam Atkinson and Nathan Gerbe- small in stature but not when it comes to compete and skill levels.

Tolvanen was one of the youngest players in the USHL this year but he was second on the Sioux City Musketeers in scoring with 17 goals and 21 assists. In addition to being named to the USHL All-Rookie team, he led the U18 World Championships in scoring with 7 goals in 7 games, along with a pair of helpers. The U17 Championships were even more of a success for Tolvanen as he once again led the tournament in scoring with 9 goals in 5 games. A native of Vihti, Finland, Tolvanen played his junior hockey for the Espoo Blues, where he notched 84 points in 41 games two seasons ago. One can't help but think that BC's established Finnish pipeline with the Mattila brothers played a major role in this commitment.

The numbers speak for themselves- this is a massive get for an Eagle coaching staff that has turned up the heat on the recruiting trail as of late. After the departure of Alex Tuch, I wrote a piece about how BC needed to find a fine line between recruiting high end guys that may leave after a year or two and those who will develop into scoring threats by their junior and senior seasons. I believe the class they have coming in the fall of 2017 gives them that ideal mix. Tolvanen, Joe Cassetti, Jacob Tortoa, and Logan Hutsko are all ranked in the top 20 of their class but perhaps more importantly, the staff was able to pick-up some long term assets such as Casey Carreau, Mitch Martan, and Chris Grando. Some have questioned the lack of "star power" in the group that is set to enroll this fall but the good news is that I can't see a scenario where any of the fourteen members leaves early to sign an NHL or CHL deal, unless there is an issue with playing time down the road. That will allow the coaches to create some roster sustainability instead of having to retool year in and year out. It's a bit like Kentucky basketball- can you really have success on a yearly basis with a new set of players every winter? I don't think so. This season, they will have a nucleus of five or six guys that will be expected to carry the bulk of the scoring but if newcomers like David Cotton, Graham McPhee, Connor Moore, and Mike Campoli can get better as the year goes on, it not only bodes well for March and April, but for future seasons as well.

The staff also picked up a commitment from Philadelphia Flyers forward Ron Greco, who notched 57 points in 44 games for the USPHL club. A 1995 birthdate, Greco is likely one of those skaters that will compete for a fourth line role throughout next season, with the hope that he will develop into a third liner sometime in the future. You don't typically see players from the USPHL make immediate impacts on college hockey scoring sheets but as we saw with Mike Kim and Josh Couturier, players from that league are more than capable of competing at this level.

On another note, congrats to former Eagle Brian Dumoulin on winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Outside of Kris Letang and Brent Burns, I thought Dumoulin was the best defenseman on the ice- good things happen to those who stick around and work hard. The Biddeford, Maine native is the 17th Eagle to have his named etched onto the Stanley Cup. For comparisons sake, BU has 7.

Solid 24 hours in BC Hockey world, now we need a victory for Phil at Oakmont!

Go Eagles. Go Phil.

Coach Brown Named Assistant Coach For US World Jr Team

Associate head coach Greg Brown has been named an assistant coach for the US World Jr team, as announced by USA Hockey this afternoon. St. Cloud State head coach Bob Motzko will lead the team, which is rounded out by assistants Grant Potulny (Minnesota), Kris Mayotte (PC), and Steve Miller (Air Force). This will be Coach Brown's second time serving as an assistant for Team USA (2014).

The World Jr Championships will take place in Montreal and Toronto from December 26th to January 5th.

Congrats to Coach Brown on this terrific accomplishment.

Go Eagles.