5 breakout freshmen stars in Hockey East

Each year, new players jump into college hockey hoping to make a big splash out of the gate. 

Some make the transition as highly touted prospects, built up for exciting arrivals on the college stage, while others quietly make their way into the fold. Some live up to the hype, some don’t, and others emerge as surprising picks. Regardless, those freshmen can play instrumental roles.  

Last year, for instance, Tyler Madden stepped into the college hockey world and played a huge role in Northeastern’s run to winning the Hockey East tournament. Similarly, Marc Del Gaizo’s Frozen Four heroics single-handedly pushed Massachusetts to its first-ever Frozen Four victory. 

As the 2019-20 regular season passes the halfway point and draws closer to the postseason each week, it’s a perfect time to look at some of Hockey East’s freshmen to see who is having the biggest impacts early on – whether their efforts are reflected on the stat sheet or not. 

Trevor Zegras

Forward, Boston University (2019 Round 1, No. 9 overall, Anaheim)

Trevor Zegras (Avon Old Farms) is a refined playmaker for the Terriers (7-6-5, 4-3-4 conference), which has helped them immensely in the wake of the departures of Dante Fabbro and Joel Farabee to the NHL. In 17 games, the first-line center has picked up 19 points, six of which are goals. Thanks to his mobility, vision and passing abilities, Zegras, 18, has 12 assists on the season, which is tied for the most among Hockey East rookies. Alongside the rest of BU’s talented offensive core, Zegras’ high hockey IQ will continue to push the Terriers, especially after he dished nine assists at World Juniors (at one point leading the entire tournament in scoring). 

Parker Ford

Forward, Providence (undrafted, eligible for 2020 NHL Draft)

Coming out of Sioux City in the USHL, Parker Ford, 19, is doing a little bit of everything for the Friars (11-5-5, 6-4-2 conference). The Wakefield, Rhode Island, native and first-line center has been a great fit for Nate Leaman’s squad, playing a gritty and hardworking brand of hockey that’s rewarded him nicely. In 18 games, he has 17 points on seven goals, and on a PC roster that fills out a big chunk of the nation’s leading scorers, the 5-foot-9 Ford seemingly holds it all together. He’s tied with UMass’ Matt Kessel for the top freshmen plus/minus in Hockey East (plus-12) and his .567 conversion rate on faceoffs leads all freshmen. 

Aidan McDonough

Forward, Northeastern (2019 Round 7, No. 195 overall, Vancouver)

A product of Thayer Academy, Aidan McDonough is off to a roaring start in the early stages of his collegiate career. Coming out of winter break, the Milton, Mass., native has been by far the most effective freshman for the Huskies (12-5-2, 7-4-1 conference). Through 17 games, his 18 points are 12 more than the next freshman in the 11-player class. More importantly, his role in replacing NU’s lost production from last season has been a major key in maintaining the group’s success. After losing Jeremy Davies and Brandon Hawkins in the offseason, McDonough, 20, has slotted into the Huskies’ lineup and filled the scoring gap pretty seamlessly. He’s been a nice addition on the power play as well: His eight power-play goals have shown off his finishing ability and already account for Davies' and Hawkins’ combined total from last year.  

Zac Jones

Defenseman, Massachusetts (2019 Round 3, No. 68 overall, New York Rangers)

After losing two studs and missing Marc Del Gaizo for a majority of the first half, Zac Jones, 19, has been the glue to a UMass back end that has continued playing well. The Virginia native makes his presence felt in the d-zone and on the penalty kill, and regularly joins the attack. In 18 games, Jones has 14 points -- most among all Hockey East freshman d-men -- three of those points being goals. With smooth skating along the blue line, good vision and a knack for finding shooting lanes, a majority of those assists have come on deflections from his point shots, which, for a team that enjoys scoring gritty goals in the dirty areas, has been a welcomed sight for fans.  

Spencer Knight

Goaltender, Boston College (2019 Round 1, No. 13 overall, Florida) 

Last but not least, 18-year-old Spencer Knight (Stamford, Conn.) has been a horse for the Eagles (12-4-0, 6-2-0 conference) in net. Thanks in large part to his dominant play, BC is riding a 10-game win streak. And not only has Knight been dominant in Hockey East, the World Junior Team USA No. 1 and former Avon Old Farms Winged Beaver is one of the best goalies in the nation, boasting a .940 save percentage and 1.73 goals-against average. Led by his composure and athleticism between the pipes, the Eagles are allowing the seventh fewest goals in the nation and the second fewest in Hockey East, with just 1.94 goals per game. With a high-powered attack and stout back end, Knight’s emergence as a freshman is the perfect complement to a talented BC squad that can be confident he’ll come up big when they need him to be.  

Liam Flaherty can be reached at lflaherty24@gmail.com and on Twitter @_LiamFlaherty.