Infusion of NDTP rookies fueling teams in Hockey East

The Boston College Eagles have an influx of rookies this season. (Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

During the first Friday night of the Division 1 college hockey season, all eyes in New England and beyond gravitated toward Boston College’s Conte Forum.

And it didn’t take long to see why that was the case.

No early season matchup featured as much star power as the Eagles hosting Big Ten foe Wisconsin in a game that saw 21 current National Hockey League prospects sprinkled throughout the lineups of the two nationally ranked teams.

Twelve suited up for BC, which was one of several New England programs to welcome in touted freshmen this winter. Many of those talented rookies have shared common ground throughout their careers, with 11 of New England’s first-year collegians coming off a season together as members of the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-18 Team.