Earlier this week, the Boston University men’s hockey team became the sixth college program to land a ’04 recruit. That player is Bridgewater, New Jersey native Devin Kaplan.
Kaplan is described as a right shot power forward who shows great effort on both ends of the ice.
Last season he put up 39 points in 31 games in Bantam Majors for the New Jersey Avalanche. He is expected to join 2021 recruit Jeremey Wilmer on the 16U team for the Avalanche.
Excited to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at Boston University. I would to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates that helped me get to this point. #goterriers
Per ESPN’s John Buccigross, Brady Tkachuk will sign a pro contract with the Ottawa Senators and leave Boston University after one season. The Senators drafted him fourth overall in the 2018 draft.
In his lone season with the Terriers, Tkachuk was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and was named the Hockey East Performer of the week two times. He was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week one time. He also helped Team USA to a Bronze Medal in the IIHF World Junior Championship.
The St. Louis native played in all 40 games while putting up 31 points and led the team in assists with 23.
Brady Tkachuk, son of Keith, has informed Boston University Head Coach Albie O'Connell of his intentions to sign a pro contract. pic.twitter.com/3VziMjCin8
A previous version of this article stated that Tkachuk had 31 assists when in fact he had 23 assists. It has since been updated to reflect these changes
Zhiklin is tall and has a powerful stride. The Ontario native is expected to be a highly sought after OHL draft prospect. The Toronto Marlboros product won the 2018 Jr. Chowder Cup MVP while playing for Maroon Hockey.
Honoured to be committed to such an amazing university to play D1 NCAA hockey. Thanks to everyone that has helped me along the way. #terrierspic.twitter.com/M87wp6OtwF
Defenseman Dom Fensore has committed to Boston University after decommitting from Quinnipiac University earlier this week. He is expected to join the Terriers for the 2019 season.
Honored to announce my commitment to play college hockey at Boston University. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. #Terriers
The NDTP defenseman has been described as a puck-moving offensive defenseman and is one of the top 01 defensemen in the country. He is the first major recruiting victory since head coach Albie O’Connell took over for New York Rangers head coach David Quinn.
The Thornwood, New York native has been praised for his skating ability and his footwork.
One cause for concern about Fensore is his size. However, he has managed to turn his frame into an advantage.
He is the latest commit from the U.S National Under-17 team for BU that currently includes defensemen Alex Vlasic, Case McCarthy and forward Travis Zegras.
Thursday the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a proposal that allows each conference to utilize one or two different formats after a 5-0n-5 overtime period.
After the 5-0n-5 overtime period, conferences may allow for either a five-minute, three-on-three overtime period and a shootout or just a shootout to award additional conference points.
This will not happen in non-conference games as those games will just end in a tie at the conclusion of the overtime. In the case of regular season tournaments, a 20-minute sudden death period can be played for overtime, instead of the traditional five-minute overtime period. These tournaments can use the three-on-three and shootout or the standalone shootout format.
Other rule changes were also approved which can be found here.
Forward Hank Crone will not be returning to the Boston University men’s hockey team. The Cedar Hill, Texas native had 12 points in 35 games with the Terriers. Crone will transfer to the University of Denver for the 2019-20 season.
In addition to graduate transfer D Les Lancaster coming over from Mercyhurst College, the Denver Pioneers have landed F Hank Crone from Boston University for 2019-20. Crone will play for @FargoForce of @USHL next season. Story to come about transfers and new DU assistant coach
Crone will rejoin the Fargo Force of the USHL next season. Prior to the Terriers, Crone had 99 points in 106 games for the Force. He finished tied for third in the USHL while playing for the Force during the 2016-17 season with 62 points.
It looks like BU men’s hockey has filled its coaching vacancy.
Paul Pearl has been named the new associate head coach of the Terriers and the rest of last year’s staff will return. Read Liam’s story here.
Before we get started in Dallas for the NHL Draft, we are thrilled to announce that Paul Pearl is our new associate head coach and that the rest of last year's staff will be back for next season! #ProudToBUhttps://t.co/DB1IiNlZdzpic.twitter.com/5iwlvAfVCT
Boston University hockey fans have reason to tune into the NHL Draft when it begins on June 22 in Dallas.
After a successful freshman campaign with the Terriers, forward Brady Tkachuk is expected to go as high as third overall and is the second-ranked North American skater in the draft according to NHL.com.
Tkachuk has not ruled out returning to the Agganis Arena ice for another go-round in Hockey East, but being a top-five selection would make it difficult for the physical winger to return to college.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 197-pounder was one of the Terriers’ most active contributors on the offensive end all season. He led the team with 23 assists and 131 shots, the most of any freshman in the country. His +15 plus-minus was the second-best on the squad and his 31 points were the fourth-most.
His performance on the ice was rewarded following the season, as he was named a member of the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. Tkachuk was a prime example of former head coach David Quinn’s recruiting prowess. Quinn had seven players selected in the 2017 NHL Draft after seeing four of his pupils selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Tkachuk serves as one of the final gems of Quinn’s recruiting legacy, one which concluded when he accepted the head coaching job with the New York Rangers last month. Quinn’s new hockey club holds the ninth pick, but Tkachuk will likely be swiped off the board by then.
The two-time Hockey East Top Performer could join former Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien in Montreal. The Canadiens have expressed interest and Tkachuk’s NHL-ready body provides him with the ability to assist a talent-depleted Montreal roster sooner rather than later.
Another potential landing spot for Tkachuk is Arizona. The Coyotes are another team in need of a boost, as they have not made the playoffs since 2012. Multiple Phoenix media outlets have conveyed general manager John Chayka’s interest in selecting Tkachuk, who would be joining former Terrier Clayton Keller on a club which accumulated the fewest points in the Western Conference in 2017-18.
Unlike past seasons, BU will not have a collection of players waiting to hear their name called on draft night. Funny enough, the majority of the Terriers front-line performers have already been selected in previous years.
In 2017, Cam Crotty was picked by the Coyotes, Kasper Kotkansalo was selected by the Detroit Red Wings, David Farrance by the Nashville Predators, Logan Cockerill by the New York Islanders, Shane Bowers by the Ottawa Senators and Jake Oettinger by the Dallas Stars.
A year prior, Chad Krys went to the Chicago Blackhawks while Dante Fabbro and Patrick Harper both landed with the Predators. Take away Tkachuk, and the Terriers still have loads of NHL-level talent projected to be on the 2018-19 roster.
In terms of the players who have not been drafted, there is not too much chatter surrounding Beanpot hero Ty Amonte despite his name being floated around in draft speculation last summer.
Future Terriers:
Joel Farabee:
BU will likely have another first round pick in addition to Tkachuk. Incoming freshman forward Joel Farabee is listed as a likely first-round pick. The Cicero, New York native is ranked number 12 among North American skaters and mock drafts have him within the first 15 picks.
Boston Hockey Blog Draft Prediction: Top 10-15 pick.
Jake Wise:
Farabee won’t have to look too far to see another future Terrier being drafted, all he really needs to do is look to his right as his linemate with the USDP Jake Wise. Wise is expected to be the second future Terrier and third Terrier overall being drafted this season.
Boston Hockey Blog Draft Prediction: Late first round
Jack Deboer:
BU has one other incoming freshman who might hear his name called. Ranked number 166 among North American Skaters is Jack DeBoer. Although he is the son of the head coach of the San Jose Sharks, he is not a lock to be drafted. For a point of reference, current Terrier senior forward and captain Bobo Carpenter was ranked 119 among North American skaters for the 2014 draft and went undrafted.
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioState_MHKY) June 9, 2018
Despite being a seventh-round pick in last years draft, O’Connell did not play for BU this past season, instead, he played for the Princeton Vees on the BCHL.
BU graduated three defensemen this past May in Brien Diffley, Jonathan MacLeod and captain Brandon Hickey.