The Terriers filled a critical slot in their 2011 recruit class when they received a verbal commitment from 6-4 goalie Matt O’Connor. A native of Toronto and a 1992 birthdate, O’Connor spent most of the past two seasons with the Upper Canada Patriots of the OJHL, then was traded to Western Conference leader Burlington late in the year for the Cougars' playoff run.
In 2008-09 as the only 16-year-old goalie in the league, he won five games and posted a .906 save percentage for the expansion Patriots. Following the Spring 2010 trade to Burlington, he had a 4.55 GAA in five regular season games and a 2.95 mark in four playoff starts.
Next season, O’Connor will play for Youngstown in the USHL. He was added to the Phantoms' roster after impressing in a June tryout camp.
Last fall, O’Connor was named to NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” list.
►Another 2011 recruit, center Cason Hohmann, scored twice for the U.S. U-18 Selects in a 3-0 win over in an Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament exhibition game. Team USA begins tournament play on Monday against the Czech Republic.
►Team USA concluded Jr. National Team evaluation camp with an 8-3 win against Finland. Charley Coyle, who centered the first line and assisted on two goals, had another strong effort. Adam Clendening added an assist to finish the camp with three points in exhibition games, same as Coyle.
• USA Hockey in-game blog.
► Former Terrier forward Vinny Saponari has signed on with the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints.
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