Back on the Ice
The Terriers resume play today with a first round game against St. Lawrence in the Ledyard Bank Tournament in Hanover, N.H. INCH has a tournament preview and BU game notes have been posted. While there is no mention of it in the media, one unofficial report indicates that Kevin Schaeffer will return to the lineup today. Brandon Yip is now due to return for next week's Providence/Merrimack games.
Host Dartmouth meets North Dakota in the other semi, which has been a bit overshadowed by controversy over UND's nickname, the Sioux.
All four tournament games are being broadcast by Comcast's CN8 in both the New England and Mid Atlantic Regions. The games also can be seen online at these links:
http://cn8.tv/channel/article.asp?lArticleID=4664&lChannelID=604&subhead=cn8live
http://ne.cn8.tv/channel/article.asp?lArticleID=4665&lChannelID=644&subhead=cn8live
Chris Drury has been on a tear this week, following a 2 goal, 2 assist game against the Caps with his 20th goal of the season last night against Carolina. Drury is tied for the Sabres team lead with ex-Gopher Thomas Vanek...Mike Eruzione's son, Paul, is playing varsity hockey for Berkshire School in Sheffield, where he also is a baseball standout...2008 Terrier recruit Corey Trivino was named to the Ontario U17 team. He is one of only three squad members from junior A rather than the OHL. Another of the junior A players chosen, St. Mike's defenseman Brandon Burlon, has caught the eye of BU recruiters for 2008.
Camrose Kodiaks forward Mike Connolly, one of BU's top targets for 2008 was named to the AJHL all-star game. Connolly did not visit BU in December, as posted earlier, but is expected to make an official visit in January. Another player named to the AJHL all-star game, goalie Kieran Millan, is a prospect BU is looking at for its 2008 recruit class.
International Scouting Services ranks 2007 recruit U18 forward Colin Wilson #3 for the 2008 NHL draft. For the 2007s draft, ISS currently ranks U18 defenseman and co-captain Kevin Shattenkirk #23. You might recall a few other names on this list—BU targets that made other choices.
McEachern's New Career
When former BU All-American and 14 year NHL veteran Shawn McEachern visits Agganis Arena early next month, he'll be working behind the visitors' bench, having been named an assistant coach to Northeastern head coach Greg Cronin. The Globe looks in on Shawn and his new career.
RLR Ranks BU 2007 class #2
Red Line Report likes what it sees in BU's four-man 2007 recruit class, which might add another skater along with a walk-on goalie.
2. Boston University— This class is all about quality over quantity, and it's the best class in the east. Looks like they simply sent all their scouts to watch the U.S. NTDP as they nabbed two potential NHL first-round picks in gritty and talented centre Colin Wilson and superb puck-moving defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Their third top recruit is another skilled rearguard in Colby Cohen, who was also in Ann Arbor until moving on to the USHL a month ago.
ISS has Wilson listed among its top 5 2008 NHL draft choices. He has a late birthday and misses the 2007 draft.
NTDP U18 Ron Rolston commented on Shattenkirk in a recent CSTV.com chat: Kevin Shattenkirk is an extremely talented player, and he's our captain with the 89 birth year here at the National Team Development Program, which speaks volumes of his character. He has the potential to be an elite player at the college level, and he already an elite player with his age group right now, but he certainly has to continue to develop. He has to continue to mature, continue to get stronger and work on the weaknesses in his game, but he's a terrific offensive defenseman with a lot of skill that can be a difference-maker in hockey games.
Several future Terriers, including Shattenkirk, Cohen and Corey Trivino, have been mentored in the East Coast Selects program by Travis Howe, Gordie's grandson. ECS is a top spring/summer tournament program that allows young players to compete against elite level teams. ISS recently profiled Howe.
2008 recruit Corey Trivinio is second in scoring on his Stouffville team with 13-22-35 in 34 games.
2008 recruiting target Mike Connolly has been on a tear since his visit to BU early in December. With 10 points in his past 7 games, he's now tied for leading scorer on Camrose Kodiaks, which is Canada's top-ranked junior A team.
Posted by Terrier Blogger at 12:02 PM 2 comments:
Terrier reunion on Long Island
For the third time in their hockey careers, Rick DiPietro and Freddy Meyer are teammates. The two played together for the NTDP U18s in 98-99 and then were Terrier freshmen in 99-00, both earning Hockey East All Rookie honors. Now, with Meyer's trade today from Philly to the Islanders, the two are teammates again. After starring for the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms two-plus seasons, Freddy earned a regular spot in the Flyers' blueline rotation last year and quickly became a fan favorite. With Philly's woeful start this season, the Flyers have been restructuring their team and acquired Alexei Zhitnik for Meyer.
Not counting alumni events, the last time DiPietro and Meyer skated for the same side in a meaningful game was the Terriers' 4 OT loss in the 2000 NCAA regional final to St. Lawrence.
The Islanders now boast four ex-Terriers on their squad. Longtime Isle Shawn Bates was joined this year by his former BU teammate Tom Poti, whose career has been resurgent on the Island. The big question, will DiPietro and Bates let Freddy join in on their post-victory jump-bump ritual?
Arrest made in assault on Terrier athletes
This afternoon, the Globe reports one arrest in the Dec. 3 assault on four BU athletes which left Kevin Schaeffer with serious injuries including broken facial bones...Tuesday's Daily Free Press report extensively quotes Coach Parker and several eyewitnesses to the assault...INCH's weekly HE report addresses the incident, too, and also reveals that the proposed outdoor game at Fenway is still under consideration.
CSTV promo for the Battle of Comm Ave
CSTV promo video. Nicely done.