Terriers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference

With the Stanley Cup playoffs in motion, Terrier fans can watch these 11 Boston University Men’s Hockey alumni hit the ice at Rogers Place in Edmonton:

Arizona Coyotes

Clayton Keller:

Clayton Keller spent only one year on the ice with the Terriers, but in his single year he dominated the front line. In 31 games, Keller totaled 45 points with 21 goals and 24 assists, as well as a plus-minus of +15. He led all Hockey East freshmen in points and finished second among all NCAA rookies. Keller was later named Rookie of the Year at the national, regional, and league levels. In 2016, Keller was chosen seventh overall by the Arizona Coyotes. In the 2017-18 season, he was named Team MVP and received the Leading Scorer Award. In 2018, Keller was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chad Krys:

Chad Krys had three consistent years on the blueline for the Terriers, earning himself an “A” on his jersey for his junior year. As a freshman in 2017, Krys scored three game-winning goals and helped push the team to the Hockey East Semifinals with a power play game-winner. In an injury-ridden junior year, Krys played in 30 games as an assistant captain. In 2018, Krys became the first defensive player in almost 50 years to record two goals and three assists in one game. Krys was selected in the second round of the 2016 Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado Avalanche

Shane Bowers:

From the Colorado Avalanche, Shane Bowers left BU after his second year. In his time with the Terriers he totaled 53 points in 77 games and led the team in plus/minus with a plus-16 rating. Bowers was selected 28th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, but he was later traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Bowers would forego his junior and senior seasons, joining the Avalanche organization in 2019. 

Matt Nieto:

Matt Nieto became a member of the 100-point club during his three years in the scarlet and white. In his junior year, he led the team in goals and was second in points. Nieto was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2013 against the New York Rangers but struggled in the 2016-17 season and was placed on waivers before being claimed by the Colorado Avalanche in 2017. In his first year with the Avalanche, he set a career-high with 15 goals in 74 games.

Colin Wilson:

Colin Wilson’s time with the Terriers was short lived, but impactful nonetheless. As a freshman, Wilson was named both New England and Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Wilson was a member of the 2009 NCAA championship squad, finishing the year as the USA Hockey and Inside College Hockey Player of the Year. He scored the game-winning goal in the NCAA semifinal game against Vermont while also ranking second in the nation in points and assists. Wilson was a Hobey Baker finalist, ultimately losing to teammate Matt Gilroy. After the 2009 campaign, Wilson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. Wilson would go on to become a restricted free agent, and would later be traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2017.

Dallas Stars

Jake Oettinger:

In his three years, Jake Oettinger dominated the crease as the starting goalie for the Terriers. Oettinger recorded a .926 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA, with four shutouts in 36 games during his junior year. At the Friendship Four in Belfast, he stopped 75 of 79 shots to help the Terriers finish second in the tournament. He was named Hockey East Tournament MVP after a 30-save shutout against Providence College in the title game. In March of 2019, Oettinger signed with the Dallas Stars where he earned his first NHL call-up against the Edmonton Oilers.

Edmonton Oilers

Alex Chiasson:

Alex Chiasson played for BU from 2009-2012, during which he tallied 99 points in 108 games. As a junior, Chiasson was named assistant captain and led the Terriers in points for the second straight season. He set career-highs in goals (15), assists (31), and points (46). Chiasson signed with the Dallas Stars in 2012, followed by the Ottawa Senators in 2014, and then with the Calgary Flames in 2015. Chiasson joined the Washington Capitals as an unrestricted free agent in 2017, going on to win the Stanley Cup in 2018. Chiasson has since joined the Edmonton Oilers, setting a career-high for goals (14) in 2018.

Minnesota Wild

Jordan Greenway:

Jordan Greenway was a standout player for the Terriers. In his junior year, he led the team in points with 35 (13g 22a). While playing for BU, Greenway was named to the NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team and was a semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award. In March of 2018, Greenway signed with the Minnesota Wild and has accumulated 53 points in 154 games. In the 2017-18 season, Greenway became the first player to play in the Olympics, an NCAA tournament, and the Stanley Cup playoffs within the same season.

Nashville Predators

Nick Bonino:

Nick Bonino scored 100 points in 101 games as a Terrier. In his freshman year, he led all Hockey East rookies in goals with 16 and was a member of the 2008-09 championship team. Bonino was named the 2009 Beanpot MVP after scoring three goals in the tournament, led the nation with a plus-29 rating, and was named to the NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. Most notably, Bonino scored the game-tying goal with 15 seconds remaining in the NCAA championship game against the University of Miami Ohio, leading the team into overtime and their eventual victory. In March of 2010, Bonino signed with the Anaheim Ducks before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2013. In 2015, Bonino was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins where he would go on to win the Stanley Cup twice. In 2017, Bonino left the Penguins as a free agent and signed with the Nashville Predators. 

Dante Fabbro:

Dante Fabbro led the Terriers as captain in the 2018-19 season. As a sophomore, Fabbro was second among all Hockey East defensemen in points and led all Hockey East players in blocked shots. During his junior year, Fabbro had nine multi-point games and finished second on the team in points. With Team Canada, Fabbro won gold as an assistant captain in the 2018 World Juniors and was one of two collegiate players competing with Team Canada for the Spengler Cup that same year. In 2019, Fabbro signed a three-year contract with the Nashville Predators. Since joining the team, Fabbro has accumulated 12 points on six goals and six assists.  

John Hynes:

John Hynes played for Jack Parker through 1997, where he would participate in four straight NCAA Frozen Fours, and ultimately win the national championship in 1995. After suffering a neck injury, Hynes worked as a volunteer coach for the rest of his senior season before moving on to coach at UMass Lowell, the University of Wisconsin, and for the USA National Team Development Program. In 2015, Hynes was named head coach of the New Jersey Devils where he would lead the team for five years. In January of 2020, Hynes was named head coach of the Nashville Predators.

Images from BU Athletics and the NHL.