2012 recruits earn gold, kudos at World U18s

The three Terrier recruits who returned from the Czech Republic with gold medals in the 2012 World U18 Championships all played key roles in Team USA’s fourth consecutive tournament title. Forwards Matthew Lane and Danny O’Regan and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk-- all members of BU's soon-to-be-finalized 2012 recruit class-- earned kudos in post-tournament player reviews from United States of Hockey’s Chris Peters, who did play-by-play for the fastHockey Webcasts of U.S. games.

Matthew Lane — If you didn’t know much about Lane before, you better start learning. He was named one of Team USA’s best three players at the tournament and was more than deserving of that honor. Lane posted seven points (3g-4a), but was so much more than that. With his strong forechecking and ability to win just about every puck battle he was in shows that he can be a force. Lane’s speed is his standout tool. He might be Team USA’s fastest forward. He’s not just fast though, as he knows how to use his speed to generate offense. Lane’s line with J.T. Compher and Frankie Vatrano had a lot to do with Team USA’s success at the tournament. It is likely that Lane jumped up a round or two with his play at the U18 Worlds. Committed to Boston University.

Daniel O’Regan — The lone non-NTDP player on the roster may have been the biggest surprise of the tournament. O’Regan has some incredible puck skills and creativity and may have been Team USA’s best center at the tournament. O’Regan had four points including a dazzling goal against Sweden’s Oscar Dansk in which the American forward put his skills on display. After picking up a loose puck, O’Regan skated in and deked Dansk out of his jock before stuffing it five-hole. O’Regan has a high upside because of his puck skills and good hockey sense. As he builds strength, he could become an offensive force. Committed to Boston University.

Matthew Grzelcyk – This tournament provided Grzelcyk to show that he can hack it at a high level. It was a very strong event for the somewhat under-sized defenseman. Though he posted just one goal, Grzelcyk showed off his tremendous hockey sense and ability to make smart, calm decisions with the puck. He absorbs pressure well and can get away from traffic with good foot work and puck handling. The offensive tools are there for Grzelcyk to be a point-producer, too. His lone goal came on the power play against Canada in the prelims. It was a well-placed heavy slap shot, showing that he can really hammer it. His size never really appeared to be an issue despite seeing a lot of time against bigger, stronger forwards. Committed to Boston University

● United States of Hockey—forwards

● United States of Hockey—defensemen and goalies

►Defenseman Ryan Ruikka, who will graduate next with two bachelor's degrees in economics and math along with a master's degree in economics, has elected to return for his final season of eligibility while pursuing a master’s degree in finance. At this point, BU expects to have six returning defenseman on its 2012-13 roster.

►Beginning next season, Agganis Arena will have high definition video replay capabilities, enabling faster and more accurate reviews by officials, according to a news release from XOS Digital.

►Elliott Dribben, the #1 fan of BU athletics having attended more than 5,000 events since 1955, will be honored on May 6 when the entrance to the Case Center—home of the Walter Brown Arena—will become the "Elliot Driben Lobby."  Known as The Mayor of Terrier Nation , Dribben became involved with Terrier Hockey through Tim Regan, Hall of Fame goaltender for the Terriers' back-to-back NCAA championship teams in 1971 and 1972, who took a speech class with Dribben and welcomed him into the BU hockey family in the fall of 1968.

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Looking ahead

2013 recruit Robbie Baillargeon scored his third goal in three playoff games as Indiana defeated Dubuque, 3-1, to sweep its Eastern Conference semifinal series in the USHL playoffs. The 6-0 forward from Brewster, Mass., who will attend the NHL draft combine in Toronto next month, had scored 14 goals in 54 regular season games in his first USHL campaign.

Indiana next faces Green Bay, which eliminated Youngstown in four games with a 4-1 win (2 ENGs), despite the efforts of 2012 recruit Matt O’Connor. The 6-5 netminder from Toronto stopped 40 of 42 shots by the Gamblers, who more than doubled the Phantoms’ number of shots on goal.

“I’m so proud of the way he went out,” Youngstown Coach Anthony Noreen said of second-year goaltender, who will attend Boston University in the fall. “He gave us a chance and that’s all we’ve ever asked him to do – just give us a chance to win.”

►A Phantoms source tells THFB that during the season, O’Connor and a teammate, BC recruit Austin Cangelosi, would conduct a shootout competition they called the “the Beanpot final” just before the team's weekend games. It involved four breakaway attempts--and a fifth if a tiebreaker was needed. According to the source, O’Connor came out on top a majority of the time. The rivalry resumes in 2013 when Congelosi arrives at the Heights.

Looking back

Three former Terriers are involved in the ECHL West Conference finals. Bryan Miller’s Alaska Aces have a 1-0 lead in the series with the Las Vegas Wranglers with Pete MacArthur and Ryan Weston. Weston was the only one to hit the scoresheet in Alaska’s 2-1 opening game win.