Midweek Linkorama

Kudos

Senior Jason Lawrence's two-goal performance against Michigan earned him Hockey East RBK Player of the Week honors. He's the second Terrier to win the award in three weeks. Kevin Shattenkirk did so two weeks ago. Lawrence now has four goals, currently tops among conference players, while sophomore Nick Bonino is the points leader with eight.

The Terriers early-season success has translated to a #3 ranking in the two national polls. Meanwhile, the Boston Herald's John Connolly asks five questions to determine how good this edition of BU hockey can be.

Glad you stayed

Three of Hockey East's top talents, BU's Matt Gilroy and Colin Wilson, and New Hampshire forward James Van Riemsdyk all had the opportunity to move on the pro ranks but returned for another season college hockey. New England Hockey Journal examines each player's decision and reports that Wilson even discussed the choice with Van Riemsdyk, his linemate during their U.S. NTDP days. Also, Bruce Ciskie profiled Wilson for NHL Fanhouse.

Up, down and sideways
Pete MacArthur has been recalled from Fresno (ECHL) to Rockford, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate after scoring 4 points in his first 5 games. He’ll see a familiar figure in the opposing goal in his first AHL game—Manitoba’s Cory Schneider... Bryan Miller who began season with the Blue’s AHL club in Peoria, has returned to the ECHL Alaska Aces where he played last season and made the league all-star game...Dan McGoff, released by the ECHL Charlotte Checkers, has joined two other former Terriers, Matt Radoslovich and Chris Dyment, on the Trenton Devils. McGoff and Radoslovich faced off against Boomer Ewing and the Wheeling Nailers ( a top-five hockey team name) for a pair of games the teams split last weekend. Dyment is on the injured list.

Looking ahead

As noted earlier this week, American Hockey Report's Paul Shaheen observed the college hockey prospects in a USHL game between the Chicago Steel and Tri-City Storm, including future Terriers Max Nicastro and Sean Escobedo, both defensemen. His report:

Sean Escobedo '90 - Tri-City - D - 6-0/183:
Escobedo skated last season for the EJHL's New York Apple Corp side, for which the blueliner put up a very tidy 2-28-30 scoring line in 44 games. He had very good timing on this night, knowing when to slow down the play, but when to speed it up as well. He made two very nice rushes up the ice, forcing the opposition to respect his speed and back up at its blueline. He'll skate this year and next with Tri-City before suiting up for the Terriers come the fall of 2010.

Max Nicastro '90 - Chicago -D -6-2/195:
We still think the 1990 born Boston University recruit (and Detroit Red Wings prospect) isn't playing all that well, but we were FAR AND AWAY more impressed with the 6-3, 200 pounder's effort versus Tri-City than what we saw a few weeks ago versus Sioux City. He seemed much more involved, had more purpose, and scored a power play goal from the point and had an assist on another. On one occasion he made a very nice play out his own zone by stopping and pivoting away from an oncoming forward and making a strong outlet pass. We're just craving to see more.

Finally, a USCHO feature looks at NCAA coaches who are behind the bench of their alma mater. Four Hockey East Coaches, Jack Parker, Jerry York, Dick Umile and Tim Army, offer their thoughts.