Boston College landed two of the top 2005-born defensemen in the country on Sunday. A day later, rival Boston University got in on the action, committing Gavin McCarthy, a tender of the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks.
The Terriers secured the future services of McCarthy, a product of the Buffalo Junior Sabres. The `05 from Clarence Center, N.Y., is the younger brother of BU sophomore defenseman Case McCarthy.
The younger McCarthy was invited to the USA Hockey NTDP Evaluation Camp in May, but fell short of making the team. He tendered with Muskegon shortly thereafter. An offensive defenseman, McCarthy tallied three goals and 11 assists in 18 games for the Junior Sabres’ 16-U team this winter.
McCarthy was one of the top players at July’s USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp in Buffalo. The puck jumps off his stick, he skates well, and can push pucks north while maintaining good gaps and defending well in his own zone. He made the U.S. Under-17 Select Team that will compete in the upcoming Five Nations Tournament.
Eagles add blue line depth
St. Sebastian’s defenseman Nolan Joyce, a late `03 from Dedham, Mass., committed to Boston College over the weekend. As a freshman in 2019-20, Joyce recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 28 games. In addition to skating at the prep level for the Arrows, he plays split season for the Junior Eagles. He’ll join his older brother, `01 Connor Joyce, on the BC roster in a few years.
Power forward for Quinnipiac
Mount Saint Charles forward Chris Pelosi has committed to Quinnipiac. The Washington Township, N.J., native had a successful season for the school’s 15 Only team in 2020-21. Pelosi, an `05, scored 20 goals and 15 assists in 29 games for Scott Gainey’s squad this past winter. He’ll need to improve on his consistency, but when he’s on top of his game, there’s a lot to like. He can protect pucks, drive the net, finish, and provide a physical element.
UVM lands goaltender of future
Vermont continues to do a good job of recruiting outside of the United States as second year head coach Todd Woodcroft looks to get the Catamounts back on track. On Wednesday, UVM received a commitment from goaltender Daniel Heroux. The `05 from Montreal is heading to play prep school hockey at Kimball Union this fall.
Raftery picks Maine
Minnesota Wilderness forward Patrick Raftery announced his commitment to play college hockey at Maine. The `04 from Centennial, Colo., is a product of the Colorado Thunderbirds. He appeared in three games this past season for the Wilderness, a NAHL team, picking up two helpers. Raftery is a solid addition to the Black Bears’ future stable.
Wildcats lose out on top recruit
There were a number of schools interested in `05 center Cooper Pierson, a Zionsville, Ind., native playing at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. New Hampshire was one of them as Cooper’s older brother, Jackson, is the team’s leading scorer. The Wildcats were in hot pursuit, as were a couple other area schools and others from across the country. However, the younger Pierson opted to commit to Denver. In 44 games for the Shattuck 15 Only team, Pierson recorded 36 goals and 37 assists. He had a strong showing at USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp and made the American roster for the Five Nations Tournament.
