Another college hockey season is set to begin this weekend with a talented group of freshmen looking to make their mark in Hockey East.
Hockey East boasts four first round NHL draft picks, including three on Boston College alone. While rookies from USA Hockey’s NTDP tend to get much of the attention, there are some intriguing under-the-radar prospects entering the league this season.
As usual, Boston College and Boston University have classes loaded with talent. Northeastern continues to narrow the gap in terms of elite talent with the perennial powerhouses. UMass, Providence, and Connecticut also brought in notable freshman classes. Merrimack brings in a staggering 16 freshmen, including a couple who should be impact players in the league.
Recruiting is an interesting beast and different coaches have opposing views on what makes a good commit. With the continued trend of college hockey programs producing NHL players, coaches have had to be more careful in creating a balance between the one or two and done prospects versus those who are likely to stay all four seasons.
Without further ado, here’s a look at the top freshmen in Hockey East, broken down by position:
Hockey East's top freshman forwards
1. Matthew Boldy
#12 Boston College, 4/5/01, LW, left shot, 6-2/196
Minnesota Wild (2019, 1st round, 12th overall)
A case could be made for Boldy or Zegras in the top spot, but I’m going with the Millis, Mass., native here. Boldy, who played prep hockey at Dexter before moving on to USA Hockey’s NTDP, is a big winger with an extremely high hockey IQ. Boldy’s skating has come a long ways since he was a freshman at Dexter. He does a good job protecting pucks and finding open teammates or going to the right spots to bury pucks in the back of the net. He put up huge offensive numbers in his final year with the NTDP.
2. Trevor Zegras
#13 Boston University, 3/20/01, C, left shot, 6-0/173
Anaheim Ducks (2019, 1st round, 9th overall)
Zegras is an elite playmaker with his skating ability, both straight line and agility, and his vision. The Bedford, N.Y., native grew up in the Mid Fairfield Rangers your organization before heading to Avon Old Farms and the NTDP. With the myriad of departures BU endured following the 2018-19 season, he’ll be relied on heavily right from the beginning of the season.
3. Alex Newhook
#18 Boston College, 1/28/01, C, left shot, 5-11/195
Colorado Avalanche (2019, 1st round 16th overall)
Newhook, from St. John’s, Newfoundland, played prep hockey for Saint Andrew’s College before moving onto the BCHL. In his second junior season in 2018-19, he registered 49 goals and 77 assists in 68 games. Newhook will quickly become a fan favorite for Eagles’ fans with his speed, shiftiness and puck skills.
4. Patrick Moynihan
#9 Providence, 1/23/01, RW, right shot, 5-10/175
New Jersey Devils (2019, 6th round, 158th overall)
Moynihan skated under the radar through his two years with the NTDP due the star-studded lineup in Plymouth. However, the Millis, Mass., native should be a terrific four-year college player. He skates well, hunts pucks, competes hard, and has more skill than he’s given credit for. The former Nobles star should take off under Nate Leaman.
5. Robert Mastrosimone
#16 Boston University, 1/24/01, LW, left shot, 5-10/159
Detroit Red Wings (2019, 2nd round, 54th overall)
Mastrosimone is a skilled winger who plays hard. From Islip, N.Y., he received numerous accolades in the USHL with Chicago Steel. He had 38 goals and 37 assists in 65 games last season. He had a strong Hlinka Tournament last summer and will bring his tenaciousness and skill to the Terriers.
6. Ethan Phillips
#28 Boston University, 5/7/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/150
Detroit Red Wings (2019, 4th round, 97th overall)
Phillips is a skilled, playmaking winger who helped Sioux Falls win a USHL Clark Cup in 2018-19 after leaving Selects Academy. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, native had 17 goals and 31 assists in 56 games for the Stampede last season. He’ll likely fill a top six winger role for the Terriers.
7. Parker Ford
#20 Providence, 6/20/00, C/RW, right shot, 5-9/170
The Wakefield, R.I., native comes to the Friars after two solid seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. The Selects Academy product 19 goals and 24 assists in 56 games while playing mostly a second line role in 2018-19. His compete level and mentality as a gamer will play well in a Providence uniform. He goes to the gritty areas and makes plays.
8. Vladislav Firstov
#10 Connecticut, 6/19/01, LW, left shot, 6-1/181
Minnesota Wild (2019, 2nd round, 42nd overall)
In 2018-19, his first season in North America, Firstov scored 26 goals and added 32 assists for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. A big power forward, the Russian has some skill to go with it. He continues the trend of UConn bringing in top Europeans.
9. Cal Kiefiuk
#7 Massachusetts, 2/28/00, LW, left shot, 5-8/180
Kiefiuk comes to Amherst with three years of junior experience. The Macomb, Mich., native and Honeybaked product played all of his junior hockey with Central Illinois in the USHL. He might not be the prettiest skater, but he gets to pucks and is relentless. He’ll get in on the forecheck and be heavy on pucks. He fits Greg Carvel’s system well.
10. Aidan McDonough
#25 Northeastern, 11/6/99, LW, left shot, 6-3/190
Vancouver Canucks (2019, 7th round, 195th overall)
McDonough was always viewed as somewhat of a complementary piece when he was on a line with Jay O’Brien at Thayer. However, he proved he was more than that during a solid first year of junior hockey in Cedar Rapids last winter. The Milton, Mass., native had 25 goals and 24 assists in 56 USHL games for the RoughRiders. His skating has improved and if it can continue going in the right direction, expect his stock to trend further upward.
11. Filip Forsmark
#28 Merrimack, 6/23/98, LW, left shot, 5-10/175
Forsmark had a breakthrough season in his second go-around in the USHL with Tri-City. His production increased from 22 points in 2017-18 to 57 in 2018-19. A big Swedish winger, he’s one of several Merrimack freshman forwards with potential to have an impact in college hockey.
12. Matthew Brown
#10 UMass Lowell, 8/9/99, LW, left shot, 5-8/184
Brown is a good story. He didn’t necessarily have a lot of success in his first attempt at the USHL with Dubuque, but he bounced back after a year in the NAHL. Brown got off to a hot start in 2018-19 en route to putting up a point per game with the Des Moines Buccaneers. The Wood Ridge, N.J., native played for the New Jersey Rockets youth organization.
13. Andre Lee
#26 UMass Lowell, 7/26/00, LW, left shot, 6-4/206
Los Angeles Kings (2019, 7th round, 188th overall)
Lee parlayed his strong first season in North America to hearing his name called at the 2019 NHL Draft. The Karlstad, Sweden, native is a big power forward who scored 26 goals and added 20 assists in 73 USHL games. He might take a bit to get adjusted to Hockey East, but he has pro upside after a Clark Cup championship campaign in Sioux Falls.
14. Reed Lebster
#13 Massachusetts, 3/5/99, RW, right shot, 6-0/178
Lebster, formerly committed to Michigan State, is somewhat of a late bloomer. He didn’t put up a point per game in 16-U hockey with Fox Motors and it took him until his third season in the USHL to produce more than 18 points. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native had 25 goals and 22 assists in 62 games during his final season of junior hockey with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers.
15. Mike Hardman
#19 Boston College, 2/5/99, C/RW, right shot, 6-2/210
Hardman took the long journey to an opportunity to play in Hockey East. After two seasons at Xaverian, he transferred to Winchendon for two prep school seasons. He committed to Union and spent a year in the USHL with Des Moines. He headed to West Kelowna in the BCHL prior to the start of last season and his game thrived. He’s a hard working, big winger with grit and sandpaper. He’ll continue to reshape the Eagles into a more well balanced team.
16. Craig Needham
#13 Providence, 3/31/99, C, left shot, 5-10/175
Needham played at Arlington Catholic and Lawrence before spending two seasons in the USHL with Youngstown. The Medford, Mass., native had 25 points in his final season of junior hockey, but he’ll fit a bottom six, penalty killing role perfectly with the Friars. Previously committed to Maine, Needam skates well and has strong leadership qualities.
17. Riley Hughes
#19 Northeastern, 6/27/00, RW, right shot, 6-1/180
New York Rangers (2018, 7th round, 216th overall)
After spending three prep school seasons at St. Sebastian’s and being a draft pick of the New York Rangers, Hughes headed west for junior hockey. The Westwood, Mass., native had 58 points in 54 BCHL games with Victoria in 2018-19. A tall winger, Hughes has a good shot, vision, and skates well. If he can become more of a threat between the circles, his impact will be even greater.
18. TJ Walsh
#13 Northeastern, 4/29/00, LW/C, left shot, 5-8/165
Walsh was once considered one of the top ’00 players in the United States. The Shrewsbury, Mass., native put up huge numbers in his bantam season with Shattuck St. Mary’s and had a commitment to play at Boston College. Injuries and a couple of tough seasons in the USHL with Cedar Rapids left him looking for a college destination once again. He put up 17 goals and 32 assists in 53 games with Des Moines last season, earning him a commitment to Northeastern.
19. Brian Chambers
#21 UMass Lowell, 7/24/98, RW, right shot, 6-1/174
Chambers won a USHL Clark Cup championship in 2018-19, his second in the USHL. He spent his youth hockey with Weymouth High and Boston Advantage. Chambers had 17 goals and 24 assists in 60 regular season games with the Stampede. An older freshman, he should be a nice role player for the River Hawks.
20. Jeremy Davidson
#14 Massachusetts, 2/28/00, RW, right shot, 5-10/170
A Honeybaked and Shattuck St. Mary’s product, Davidson played two seasons in the USHL. During his final season in 2018-19, had 24 goals and 19 assists in 63 regular season games. From Schoolcraft, Mich., he’ll give scoring depth to the Minutemen.
21. Liam Walsh
#9 Merrimack, 6/14/99, LW, left shot, 6-1/194
Walsh is a junior hockey veteran with 189 USHL games under his belt — all with Cedar Rapids. In his final season with the RoughRiders, he won the Curt Hammer Award, given annually to the USHL Gentleman of the Year. On the ice, the Bridgeville, Pa., native had 27 goals and 22 assists in 68 games.
22. Mac Welsher
#17 Merrimack, 4/24/99, C, left shot, 5-8/173
Welsher had a strong final season in the USHL, scoring 18 goals and 28 assists in 53 regular season games for Des Moines. The Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., native played for Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, Belle Tire and Honeybaked during his youth years.
23. Jerry Harding
#10 Providence, 3/22/99, RW, right shot, 6-2/210
Harding played prep hockey at Nobles after a solid freshman year at Canton High School. The big winger skates well and hits hard. His hockey sense limits him offensively, but in the right role, he can make a huge impact. Upon graduating from Nobles, he played a season in the USHL split between Omaha and Cedar Rapids.
24. William Lemay
#28 Vermont, 12/28/98, LW, left shot, 6-0/190
Lemay put up huge numbers in the AJHL during the 2018-19 season. His 32 goals and 58 assists for 90 points led the Alberta circuit in terms of assists and points. Playing for the Brooks Bandits, Lemay earned a commit to UVM in early October of 2018.
25. Neil Shea
#27 Northeastern, 7/29/99, LW, left shot, 6-1/195
Shea played a couple of seasons at Marshfield High School before heading to Lawrence Academy where he helped the Spartans win a prep school championship as a senior. In 2018-19, he had 15 goals and 28 assists in 52 regular season games with the Chicago Steel. While Shea isn’t a blazer, he’s smart and does a good job facilitating offense after winning battles along the wall. He’s the younger brother of Maine senior Patrick Shea, a Florida Panthers pick, and the son of Neil Shea, a Colorado Avalanche scout and Boston College alum.
26. Robert Griffin
#17 New Hampshire, 1/8/01, C, right shot, 6-0/177
The Burlington, Mass., native came up through the Boston Jr. Bruins organization. He spent the final two seasons of his pre-collegiate development in the USPHL NCDC. Once a highly regarded ’01 and Northeastern commit, Griffin looks to show he can regain that form as a true freshman with the Wildcats.
27. Riley McCutcheon
#21 Vermont, 6/25/00, LW, left shot, 6-3/200
McCutcheon had a big final year of junior hockey with Cobourg in the OJHL. The Courtice, Ontario, native put up 30 goals and 30 assists in 53 games. He was also solid in the World Jr. A Challenge for Canada East. McCutcheon is a power forward who could become an even better prospect if his skating continues to improve.
28. Carl Berglund
#18 UMass Lowell, 1/16/00, C, left shot, 6-2/187
After playing several seasons in his native Sweden for Farsjstad BK, Berglund came over to the U.S. during the season last year. He finished with seven goals and 13 assists in 47 games as he helped Sioux Falls win a Clark Cup Championship.
29. Matt Demelis
#21 Northeastern, 6/2/99, LW/C, left shot, 5-11/170
Demelis committed to Northeastern a while ago after a terrific freshman season at Hingham. He played two seasons with the Boston Advantage before taking on junior hockey with the Northeast Generals in the NAHL and Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL. In his final season with Youngstown, he racked up 14 goals and 24 assists in 58 games.
30. Joseph Cassetti
#19 Merrimack, 2/28/99, LW, left shot, 6-3/190
Cassetti had a twisted road to Merrimack. Formerly committed to Boston College, the Pleasanton, Calif., native played two seasons with Waterloo in the USHL following his two years with the NTDP. A big winger, Cassette doubled his production in 2018-19 from the prior season.
Hockey East's top freshman defensemen
1. Dom Fensore
#23 Boston University, 9/7/01, D, left shot, 5-8/153
Carolina Hurricanes (2019, 3rd round, 90th overall)
There are a couple of other defensemen who might have more pro upside, but Fensore has the potential to jump right in and contribute right away for the Terriers. The Mid Fairfield and P.A.L. Islanders product climbed the draft boards of many teams during his terrific U-18 season with the NTDP. Fensore’s skating and vision will electrify the Agganis Arena crowds. With Dante Fabbro and Chad Krys on to pro hockey, the Thornwood, N.Y., native should get a ton of ice time in favorable situations.
2. Zac Jones
#24 Massachusetts, 10/18/00, D, left shot, 5-10/172
New York Rangers (2019, 3rd round, 68th overall)
Similarly, Jones saw his stock rise significantly last season in his first year in the USHL. The Glen Allen, Va., native put up nearly a point per game for Tri-City, the top team in the league through much of the season. Jones is undersized, but his feet are very good and he’s slick. He can evade forecheckers and his vision allows him to break pucks out and make clean zone entries. It’s an overused phrase, but Jones truly does defend with his feet. With Cale Makar and Mario Ferraro in the NHL, Jones will likely get first unit power play time.
3. Drew Helleson
#4 Boston College, 3/26/01, D, right shot, 6-3/194
Colorado Avalanche (2019, 2nd round, 47th overall)
Helleson isn’t flashy, but he’s a big, mobile, right-shot defenseman. Those are characteristics that are in demand by NHL organizations. I thought he could have been selected higher. He makes a smart, simple breakout pass and he can defend well in his own end. From Farmington, Minn., Helleson played for Shattuck St. Mary’s before heading to the NTDP.
4. Alex Vlasic
#7 Boston University, 6/5/01, D, left shot, 6-6/198
Chicago Blackhawks (2019, 2nd round, 43rd overall)
Make no mistake about it. Vlasic is probably the top pro prospect of any defensemen entering Hockey East this season. Ever since the NTDP Evaluation Camp in March of 2017, I’ve thought that. A big, defensive defenseman, the Wilmette, Ill., native might take a little time to adjust to the pace and his physical advantage will be lessened when going up against much older players on some of the league’s older teams.
5. Carter Berger
#23 Connecticut, 9/17/99, D, left shot, 6-0/200
Florida Panthers (2019, 4th round, 106th overall)
Berger comes to the Huskies after spending three seasons in the BCHL with the Victoria Grizzlies. It’s an offensive league, but it says something when a defenseman can put up over a point per game. With a lot of NHL eyes on Victoria teammate Alex Campbell, who went to Nashville in the third round, Berger caught some attention of his own. It resulted in him getting drafted in his second year of eligibility. The North Vancouver, British Columbia, native should be a fun offensive defenseman to watch in Hockey East.
6. Max Crozier
#24 Providence, 4/19/00, D, right shot, 6-1/185
Tampa Bay Lightning (2019, 4th round, 120th overall)
Crozier, from Calgary, Alberta, left the BCHL for the USHL and ended up with a Clark Cup championship with Sioux Falls. He ended up with 14 goals and 41 assists in 72 games. He was rewarded for his efforts by being drafted in June. He should be a puck-moving force for a Friars team that likes it defensemen to jump into the play. His brother, Tristan Crozier, plays at Brown, and his dad, Jim Crozier, played at Cornell.
7. Marshall Warren
#5 Boston College, 4/20/01, D, left shot, 5-11/170
Minnesota Wild (2019, 6th round, 166th overall)
Warren has always exuded athleticism. The Laurel Hollow, N.Y., native has a hard shot and he hits hard. The New Jersey Colonials, North Jersey Avalanche and Portledge School product skates well and has good jump. He’s confident and poised with the puck on his stick and should help the Eagles when it comes to breaking pucks out of their own zone.
8. Case McCarthy
#2 Boston University, 1/9/01, D, right shot, 6-1/198
New Jersey Devils (2019, 4th round, 118th overall)
McCarthy isn’t one to jump into the play too often or try to skate it out of his own zone. He uses his size and will make that smart first pass to get pucks north. He’s physical at times, but could afford to be even more so at times. Prior to playing for the NTDP, the Clarence Center, N.Y., native played for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres.
9. Cam McDonald
#6 Providence, 2/3/01, D, left shot, 5-8/165
McDonald really started to stand out at the 2018 USA Hockey Select 17 Festival. It was right after a stellar season for Kenai River in the NAHL. From there, he had a very good season for Muskegon in the USHL. He doesn’t have great offensive instincts and his size hurts him defending from time to time. However, his feet are very good. He retrieves pucks and gets them going up ice quickly.
10. Jayden Struble
#3 Northeastern, 9/8/01, D, left shot, 6-1/205
Montreal Canadiens (2019, 2nd round, 46th overall)
Struble will be one of the most fun players to watch and analyze this upcoming season. The Cumberland, R.I., native has always been a lightning rod for controversy and discussion when it comes to scouts. A true athlete, he was on the Cumberland team that won the 2014 Little League World Series. He’s strong and was able to dominate the prep school level by his elite physical tools. He’ll have to start thinking the game more when rushing pucks and control his emotions at the college level. However, there’s a lot to like for the St. Sebastian’s alum that accelerated to arrive at Northeastern this fall.
11. Zachary Uens
#7 Merrimack, 5/13/01, D, left shot, 6-1/178
Uens was named the Ontario Hockey Association’s Top Prospect and named to the OJHL All-Prospect Team following 2018-19 with the Wellington Dukes. A good sized defender who skates well and plays both ways, he should get NHL draft consideration. With all the turnover in North Andover, Uens could make a quick impact.
12. Michael Kesselring
#23 Northeastern, 1/13/00, D, right shot, 6-4/195
Edmonton Oilers (2018, 6th round, 164th overall)
Kesselring is a big, right shot defenseman who likes to jump into the rush. He got a lot better during his year in the USHL that started in Des Moines and ended in Fargo. He has a strong desire to learn and should continue his upward development under the Northeastern coaching staff. The New Hampton alum played for his father, former Merrimack star Casey Kesselring, at the New Hampshire prep school.
13. Jeremie Bucheler
#4 Northeastern, 3/31/00, D, right shot, 6-4/201
Bucheler, from St-Laurent, Quebec, played for the Victoria Grizzlies in 2018-19 after skating the previous year with the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Bucheler is a big defenseman with some potential.
15. Marek Korenčík
#17 UMass Lowell, 7/19/99, D, left shot, 6-4/200
Korenčík played for his native Slovakia at the last two World Junior Championships. He’s played in Sweden with Lulea HF J20 in season. A big defenseman, he should have a good college career for Norm Bazin’s River Hawks.
14. Yan Kuznetsov
#2 Connecticut, 3/21/02, D, left shot, 6-3/201
In his first season in North America, Kuznetsov played as a youngster in the USHL with Sioux Falls Stampede. He has the skill and physical tools, but he often would try to make that one extra play that would get him in trouble. He accelerated to get to UConn this season and will play as a 17 year-old. The Russian could take some time to get up to speed with the college game, but there’s significant potential.
16. Liam Dennison
#8 Merrimack, 2/7/99, D, left shot, 5-9/170
Dennison, from Manotick, Ontario, had two successful years with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms after a prep career at The Hill Academy in his native province. Dennison is on the smaller side, but he skates well and makes good decisions with the puck. He defends with his good stick and feet. His experience should bode well for a young Merrimack team.
17. Declan Carlile
#3 Merrimack, 5/18/00, D, left shot, 6-0/180
Carlile bounced around a lot before coming to the Warriors. He played bantam and midget hockey with Little Caesars, Compuware and Culver Military Academy. From there, he went to the OJHL’s Wellington Dukes. He spent 2018-19 with Lincoln and Muskegon in the USHL. He’s not overly offensive, but he skates well for a big guy and should be solid in his own zone.
18. Gianfranco Cassaro
#23 Massachusetts, 3/30/99, D, left shot, 5-10/183
Cassaro comes to the Minutemen after four seasons of junior hockey. The first two came with the Toronto Jr. Canadians in the OJHL. The last two were with Youngstown in the USHL. He had a much better second season and should help out offensively for a UMass team that lost two big time pieces on the blue line.
19. Kalle Eriksson
#10 New Hampshire, 9/15/99, D, left shot, 5-8/165
Eriksson came over to North America last season from his native Sweden and earned a commitment following successful stints with Omaha and Madison in the USHL. He’s on the smaller side, but he’ll help the Wildcats with his ability to skate pucks out of his own zone. He should give the team another option on the power play, as well.
20. Matt Kessel
#4 Massachusetts, 6/23/00, D, right shot, 6-3/193
Kessell, from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., won a Clark Cup with Sioux Falls last season. The Little Caesars and Compare product played with Chicago and Fargo the season before. He’s a good sized, defensive defenseman who can also chip in a little offensively from time to time. A former Ohio State commit, he was a late add following a European recruit opting to turn pro.
21. Luke Johnson
#2 Providence, 1/7/99, D, right shot, 5-11/175
Johnson, a former captain at Edina High School in Minnesota, played two seasons for Sioux City in the USHL. He wore a ‘C’ for the Musketeers, as well. He’s a solid defenseman who won’t likely be much of an impact in the attacking zone. However, he should be a reliable bottom pairing ‘D.’
22. Tyler Spott
#18 Northeastern, 6/17/00, D, left shot, 5-10/170
Spott, hailing from Toronto, Ontario, comes to NU after two seasons with Green Bay in the USHL. A little on the smaller side, Spot got significantly better in his second season with the Gamblers and should be a solid four-year player for the Huskies. His father, Steve Spott, is the assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks.
23. Levi Kleiboer
#16 Maine, 7/17/98, D, right shot, 5-10/154
The Martensville, Saskatchewan, native is the best recruit for the Black Bears, at least in terms of immediate impact. A smaller, offensive defenseman, Kleiboer makes a good first pass and should help Maine in terms of breaking pucks out of his own zone. He spent 2018-19 with the Minot Minotauros in the NAHL.
24. Nolan McElhaney
#7 New Hampshire, 4/22/99, D, right shot, 6-4/190
McElhaney, from Natick, Mass., was somewhat of a late bloomer. He started drawing attention during the 2017-18 season with Cushing. He’s an offensive defenseman who likes to rush the puck. He has good size and skates well. He probably should have spent another year in the USHL, but opted to come right into UNH, despite missing nearly the entire season last year.
Hockey East's top freshman goaltenders
1. Spencer Knight
#30 Boston College, 4/19/01, G, catches left, 6-4/195
Florida Panthers (2019, 1st round, 13th overall)
There’s not much debate here as Knight comes into Hockey East after being the 13th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft. It’s a rare feat to be such a high pick as a goaltender. The Darien, Conn., native played prep hockey at Avon Old Farms before moving out to the NTDP. Knight has long been regarded as an elite goaltender and he should quickly make BC fans forget about the departure of Joseph Woll, who turned pro a year early with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
2. Logan Neaton
#1 UMass Lowell, 4/7/99, G, catches right, 6-4/190
Winnipeg Jets (2019, 5th round, 144th overall)
Neaton was a workhorse for Prince George in the BCHL last winter. A good sized goaltender, he should push junior Tyler Wall for space in the UML crease. Neaton had a .914 save percentage in the defensively-challenged BCHL, which is a good indicator that he might be up to the task in Hockey East.
3. Jere Huhtamaa
#1 Merrimack, 4/10/00, G, catches left, 6-2/191
Huhtamaa takes the third spot over Thiessen mainly because he’ll be the starter for the Warriors whereas the latter is expected to get much less ice time behind Boston Bruins draft pick Jeremy Swayman. Huhtamaa has international experience for his native Finland and is expected to take the reigns and give Scott Borek’s team a chance to win every night.
4. Matthew Thiessen
#35 Maine, 6/9/00, G, catches left, 6-2/208
Vancouver Canucks (2018, 7th round, 192nd overall)
Thiessen was picked by the Canucks following a very successful season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for the Steinbach Pistons. He struggled somewhat, at least statistically, for Dubuque in the USHL last season. He’s still a highly regarded goaltender and will benefit from the guidance of Maine assistant coach Alfie Michuad.
5. Ryan Keane
#1 Connecticut, 3/15/98, G, catches left, 5-9/160
Keane lacks the size of most modern era goaltenders, but he put up good numbers in consecutive seasons in the NAHL with Philadelphia and Jamestown. He’s always been regarded as a solid goaltender, appearing in national camps during all three years of eligibility. He’ll back up Tomas Vomacka this season.
Honorable Mention
Jamie Armstrong
#12 Boston University, 8/7/98, LW, left shot, 6-1/193
The Warwick, R.I., native committed to Northeastern out of Avon Old Farms, but de-committed after a few seasons bouncing around junior leagues in the U.S. and Canada. He finished last season with the USPHL NCDC’s Junior Bruins and was a late commit of the Terriers. His dad, Bill Armstrong, is an assistant general manager with the St. Louis Blues.
Jacques Bouquot
#17 Vermont, 2/10/00, LW, left shot, 6-1/180
Bouquot, a Salisbury alum, was formerly committed to Boston College. After a year in the BCHL with Wenatchee and Chilliwack, the Sound Windsor, Conn., native is headed to the Catamounts. A big forward, he had 14 goals and 19 assists in 47 games between the two clubs.
Simon Boyko
#7 Vermont, 2/4/99, RW, right shot, 5-10/174
Boyko played two seasons in the AJHL after playing a year of midget hockey with Selects Academy at South Kent. A versatile player, the Mississauga, Ontario, native put up a point per game for the Brooks Bandits last season.
John Copeland
#27 Boston University, 1/3/99, D, right shot, 6-6/185
Copeland has played right wing and defense through the years. A hulking big man, the Wellesley, Mass., native played prep hockey at Belmont Hill before heading to Carleton Place in the CCHL. His father, Todd Copeland, played at Michigan and his grandfather, John Copeland, played at Harvard.
Jake Flynn
#16 Connecticut, 5/26/01, D, right shot, 5-11/161
Flynn is a puck-moving defenseman who skates well. The Milton, Mass., native played at Thayer and is heading to the Huskies right out of prep school. A year in the USHL would have served him well, but he’s looking to make a difficult jump.
Brady Gaudette
#15 Maine, 3/19/99, LW, left shot, 5-10/170
The Braintree, Mass., native spent two seasons in the NAHL with the Northeast Generals after coming up through the Boston Advantage youth organization. Gaudette had 14 goals and 16 assists in 57 games last season. He’s the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks forward and former Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Gaudette.
Andrew Lucas
#6 Vermont, 2/5/99, D, right shot, 5-9/145
After four standout years at Loomis Chaffee, Lucas made the jump to junior hockey last season. After brief stints with two different BCHL teams, he jumped to Brooks in the AJHL where had a productive season. From Alexandria, Va., he moves well and can move the puck north.
Alex Mella
#20 Northeastern, 2/21/99, C, left shot, 6-0/188
Mella, from Stanford, Conn., played a year in the NAHL and a year in the USHL with Madison before arriving on St. Botolph Street. He’ll bring a heavy presence to a bottom six line for the Huskies, but he can chip in offensively. Mella played at Shattuck St. Mary’s before junior hockey.
Sam Stevens
#25 Boston University, 4/27/00, C, left shot, 6-1/179
Stevens is a dual citizen who played for Shattuck St. Mary’s before heading to the USHL where he played for three teams in two years. He concluded his junior career by winning a Clark Cup championship with Sioux Falls. A former Wisconsin commit, he should be a reliable third line center for the Terriers.
