He shoots, he hits, he blogs!

Terrier freshman forward, and Hockey East Rookie of the Year (video clip) Colin Wilson is one of several projected first round draft choices who were invitied to blog on the nhl.com Web site. Colin, ranked #10 by NHL Central Scouting and #8 by International Scouting Services (ISS), has made two lengthy blog posts: the first describes his pre-BU hockey development; in the second, he looks back at his freshman season, discusses another player expected to be drafted in the first round this June, and reveals his favorite team and player in the NHL playoffs.

In the NHL.com “Draft Dandies” series, several members of the Central Scouting team assess Wilson’s game and offer some comparisons to his father, former Dartmouth and NHL player Carey Wilson.

While Wilson is expected to return to BU for his sophomore season, Terrier fans are understandably concerned that the team that ultimately drafts Wilson might have a different scenario in mind. Coach Jack Parker addressed the situation in The Daily Free Press.

As for Wilson, ranked ninth among draft eligible North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Service, Parker said the start of the rookie's pro career will depend on the team that selects him in June's NHL Entry Draft. Though his rights will be owned by the pro club that picks him as an entry-level player, the decision to turn pro ultimately rests with Wilson and his family.

"We've talked about it quite a bit actually," Parker said. "I think his parents will have a lot to say about it. His father [Carey Wilson] was a former pro hockey player and he'll know all about that. The team that drafts him and the coaching staff here will help him out with the decision. Whoever drafts him -- we'll get together with them and say, 'Hey what do you think. Here's what we think.' If Colin Wilson
is ready to play in the NHL, I say get going. If you wanna go, go. But a lot of that will have to do with what the pro team that drafts him thinks."

From Parker's perspective, the decision should be a no-brainer for the reigning Hockey East and New England Rookie of the Year, who finished third on the team in scoring this season with 35 points.

"There's no question he's a top prospect, but I also think there's no question he should be back here next year no matter who drafts him," Parker said. "It's gonna be difficult for him to step in and make the NHL next year. Some teams might think he's a prospect to play in the NHL because he's got the size and real good hands, but I think he knows he's developing here."

Whenever Wilson reaches the NHL, he'll become a third-generation player in the league. His grandfather, Jerry Wilson, skated briefly with Montreal in the 1950s.

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John Curry's sterling first pro season continues in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. Curry and the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, eliminated Chris Bourque and the Hershey Bears in five games and now move on to the divisional semifinal. Curry, who was named to the league's All-Rookie team, posted a 1.97 GAA and a .934 save percentage in the first round matchup with the Bears.

In the USHL, 2009 recruit Max Nicastro registered his first playoff goal, but couldn't help Chicago from dropping its second game to Waterloo in the Clark Cup semifinals. 2008 recruit Chris Connolly and Omaha lead Lincoln, two games to one in the other semifinal. Connolly remains tied for the USHL post-season scoring lead with seven points.

A USCHO pictorial by Melissa Wade of the Team USA training camp in Portland, Maine, features several shots (#s 4 9,10,19 & 28), of Matt Gilroy who is trying out for the USA National Team that will play in the upcoming World Championships in Quebec (see April 23 blog post). A wannabe Terrier is shown in shot #15.