The 2019-20 Hockey East season featured quite a few strong performances by freshmen.
When the year started, it was known that four Hockey East freshmen were entering the league after hearing their names called in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
However, a couple of rookies jumped out to have impressive years, including some undrafted ones.
Below is my New England Hockey Journal Hockey East All-Rookie Team:
Alex Newhook
Boston College, C
Newhook became my favorite player to watch in college hockey over the second half of the season. Over the last 12 games of the season, the Colorado Avalanche prospect put up 23 points. In total, he finished his freshman season with 19 goals and 23 assists in 34 games. Newhook doesn’t have NHL height (he's 5-11), but he’s incredibly dynamic and willing to go to the greasy areas.
Trevor Zegras
Boston University, C
Zegras, from Bedford, N.Y., was second among Hockey East rookies in scoring. The NTDP alum had six goals and 20 assists in league play and 11 goals and 25 assists overall. The Anaheim Ducks first-round pick has terrific vision with almost equally good skating and puck skills. There were times, such as at the Beanpot, where I thought Zegras was going to score or set up a goal every time he touched the puck.
Matt Boldy
Boston College, LW
Boldy’s inclusion on the NEHJ Hockey East All-Rookie Team was up for grabs, but he solidified it with his play down the stretch. The Millis, Mass., native had seven goals and 13 assists over his last 14 games. His season totals were just nine goals and 17 assists, meaning those last 14 games accounted for 20 of his 26 points.
It took the Minnesota Wild first-rounder a little while to get adjusted to college hockey. After he transitioned, the NTDP alum’s brilliant hockey sense, size and ability to create time and space for his linemates took over.
Northeastern’s Aidan McDonough and Providence’s Patrick Moynihan were other players I considered for the final forward spot.
Declan Carlile
Merrimack, D
It wasn’t a banner year for the Warriors, who missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. However, Carlile and his young comrades on the Warrior blue line represent reason for optimism for the future. Carlile led Hockey East freshmen in scoring with four goals and 14 assists in 23 conference games. He added four helpers in five non-conference games.
From Hartland, Mich., Carlile has an outside chance of getting drafted in June. A fellow rookie blue-liner for the Warriors, Zachary Uens, is expected to hear his name called in Montreal.
Zac Jones
Massachusetts, D
Jones had a goal and 12 assists in Hockey East play. Overall, he had three goals and 20 assists.
The Glen Allen, Va., native and New York Rangers third-round pick is on the smaller side, but he’s a solid all-around defenseman. It’s an overused cliche to suggest a defenseman defends with his feet, but in Jones’ case, it’s true. He has a good stick and defends well. Jones does a good job of getting shots through from the point and he can make really good outlet passes.
Although I have zero doubt Jones should get the nod here, the next two players up for me would have been Merrimack’s Zachary Uens and Vermont’s Andrew Lucas.
Spencer Knight
Boston College, G
Knight didn’t have any legitimate competition here. The Darien, Conn., native had a .931 save percentage, which ranked second nationally among freshmen. The NTDP alum and Florida Panthers prospect started all but one game for the Eagles. (His only missed start came when he was at the World Juniors.) Simply put, Knight was terrific and was a big reason the Eagles won the Hockey East regular-season championship.
