Two more players with collegiate eligibility remaining have turned pro, due to the coronavirus’ negative impact on college hockey programs in the region.
Boston University defenseman Kasper Kotkansalo and Harvard forward Henry Bowlby will forgo their final season of eligibility.
Kotkansalo, a 2017 third-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, will play for Assat in Liiga, the top league in Finland. In 112 career games over three seasons with the Terriers, Kotkansalo notched two goals and 23 assists.
Prior to arriving at BU, the ’98 from Espoo, Finland, played for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. He was expected to be a leader on the blue line for Albie O’Connell’s team this upcoming season. According to sources, Kotkansalo preferred playing in his native Finland due to lesser concern of whether or not there would be a full season.
Bowlby has agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers starting with the 2020-21 season. He represents the third Harvard underclassman to sign a pro contract since news broke that the Crimson would not be playing until at least Jan. 1, 2021. Defenseman Jack Rathbone signed with the Vancouver Canucks and center Jack Drury inked a deal with the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL, Sweden’s top pro league. In addition, Harvard lost top recruit Matt Beniers, who is now heading to Michigan.
Bowlby is somewhat of a surprise given that he was never a standout in his three seasons in a Crimson uniform. The ’97 from Edina, Minn., finishes his Harvard career with 21 goals and 24 assists in 84 games.
While he never hit the double-digit mark in goals, he came close with eight in his freshman and junior campaigns. Harvard would have been extremely deep up front and Bowlby was going to be a big part of that.
La Starza commits to BU
Boston University has received a verbal commitment from Waterloo Black Hawks forward Michael La Starza.
The ’04 from Montreal is a significant recruit for the Terriers. La Starza is one of the more highly regarded Canadian players in his birth year.
La Starza spent the past two seasons playing at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, Minn. In 2019-20, he scored 24 goals and added 46 assists in 45 games for the Sabres' 15 Pure team. The year prior, he notched 31 goals and 38 assists in 52 games as a Bantam major.
In February 2019, La Starza dazzled at the Seacoast Performance Academy 14-U Showcase. At the time, I wrote, "La Starza hails from Canada and is one of the best players in this age group. His skating, puck skills and hockey sense are all high-end. He has a sneaky, quick release and can make defensemen look foolish with his agility and good hands."
Last summer at the Junior Chowder Cup, La Starza was again a standout performer. In my post-tournament story, I noted, "La Starza was the best player in the tournament. Most importantly, he produced. He did so because of his shiftiness and ability to make plays in small areas. His edge work was very good and he was able to get space for himself and his teammates."
La Starza is expected to play the next two seasons for head coach P.K. O'Handley in Waterloo. He signed a USHL tender agreement this spring with the Black Hawks.
Hayes transferring to Trinity
Former Thayer forward Christian Hayes is transferring to Division 3 powerhouse Trinity College after spending his freshman season at Holy Cross.
The ’99 from Milton, Mass., appeared in just seven games for the Crusaders without producing a point. He had gone straight from prep school hockey to Holy Cross.
NCAA rules don't prohibit players transferring down in divisions to sit out a year, so Hayes will be able to play as soon as Trinity's season starts.
