Recruiting update: Connolly & more

We have additional coverage of the verbal commitment BU received this week for 2008 from Omaha Lancers’ left wing Chris Connolly. After spending his first two post-high school years racking up big numbers for the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the NAHL, Connolly earned a spot on the Lancers. In their pre-season games with QMJHL teams in Quebec, he had 2 goals and 3 assists and a +5 against Rimouski and a shorthander against Oceanic.



His strong play continued at the USHL Fall Classic, leading Lancers Coach Mike Hastings to say:

“Chris has been one of our most consistent and dynamic players we have had so far this year. “We are very happy for Chris and his family to see him rewarded for all of the hard work and dedication he has shown over the past two years developing his game in Fargo- Moorhead. From the time that we drafted him in June, to our preseason tournaments in Quebec and Sioux City, he has gone from
hoping to make our team to being one of the most sought after forwards in the USHL.”

The Western College Hockey Blog called Connolly “a dynamic offensive player that should help improve BU's offense."

The Lancers, who are expected to challenge for the USHL’s Clark Cup, outscored three opponents in the Fall Classic by a combined 15-1 score. Regular season play begins this season with Omaha meeting Tri City and Sioux Falls.

As a Lancer, Connolly has at least four teammates who are future opponents: Will O’Neill and Joey Diamond (Maine) Matt White (UNH) and Barry Almeida (BC). Another teammate, Polish-born defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, who now hails from Maple Grove, BC, is one of the top-rated 2009 prospects.

Also at the USHL Fall Classic, 2009 recruit defenseman Max Nicastro of the Chicago Steel registered his first USHL goal. Last season, Nicastro, skating for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, netted 17 goals.

USHL Futures Draft
Terrier 2009 recruit Ethan Werek, currently playing for the Stouffville Spirit (OPJHL), was taken in the first round, 13th overall, of the USHL futures draft by the Indiana Ice. His longtime friend, Northeastern recruit Daniel Erlich, also was taken in the first round. Jordan Mayer, like Werek, a first round 2007 OHL draft choice who elected to stay in Junior A, was selected by Indiana with the first second round pick. So, Werek now has several options: stay with Stouffville until joining BU in 2009, play next season with Indiana in the USHL or sign on with Kingston in the OHL. Terrier fans will be happy with either of the first two choices. An update on Werek's status was reported by a newspaper with a decidedly pro-Stouffville viewpoint.

The Spirit lost last night to Orangeville, 7-4, despite Corey Trivino's third goal of the OPJHL regular season. The Spirit gave up two four goals--two were empty-netters--in the final 96 seconds. The Spirit try to get back in the win column tonight against Aurora..

U18s at Alfond
On Saturday, the NTDP U18s team takes a big step up from NAHL competition and plays an exhibition game with the Maine Black Bears in Orono. Going into the game, BU 2008 recruit, defenseman David Warsofsky leads the team in scoring with 3 goals and 3 assists.

Linked to the numbers
With nearly all of BU’s 2008 and 2009 recruits having begun their seasons, we’ve added a group of links to the sidebar on the right side of the blog for quickly checking the scoring totals for each, except, of course, Kieran Millan whose goalie stats are linked.