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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvlUFgbyPJY
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq9hObacWtc
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.
Boston Hockey Blog Draft Prediction: Undrafted
Great to see Bu kids getting drafted. It is a great accomplishment for the players, but it has also been proven by several Bu players you don’t have to be drafted to be successful in college and at the next level. I can see coach OConnell having these kids drafted or not at the top of the college game right from the start with them improving throughout the season 108 days till Bu glory🐾
Brady most likely gone. He is not NHL ready like his dad but the lower NHL teams need “names” to make money. Maybe it will be better if we go for for the second tier player who likes to “grind” and show up every day. That has not happened for the past few years.
Whether they want to or not, that is what they gotta do. This won’t be Quinn flashy. And if they don’t make the philosophical recruiting transition, we are going to be back in Mike Bavis recruiting mode
Disappointing to lose another recruit to the Major Juniors but not unexpected. Especially considering the coaching change. This is not unusual as these student athletes received commitment from a coach that left for much greener pastures. Not a crime but why should they keep there commitment ? I do not blame them for exploring all options especially since they were mislead. ( not intentionally but it is what it is.)
I expect there could be others. Besides the one and done philosophy created more disappointments then championships.
Do not be surprised if Brady T. is in an NHL camp in the fall and not at B.U.
I do not blame Albie for the current situation. Although I would feel better if he would name his staff. It will be interesting to see how he addresses fund raising and attendance issues.
Excellent points by anonymous. Hard to believe that a team with the the third and fifth best rookie in the NHL the prior year won 0.0 championships and did not make the Frozen four or the Hockey East Championship game. That record speaks for itself.
Anybody else wondering why still no update on the rest of the coaching staff?
Brady T scored a whopping 9 goals. 9. If he did not have his last name he would be going nowhere. Thanks to his dad and brother he gets high ratings.
His father was a one year carpetbagger and so is he. See ya later and good riddance