K.Gilroy-founded Athletes 4 Autism raises dollars for research

BU student-athletes, including five members of the men’s hockey team and a number from the women’s team, hosted hosted Athletes 4 Autism Day on Sunday April 15th at the University’s Case Gym. The event featured games, races, obstacle courses, skill competitions, auctions, raffles, and team-building activities for both autistic and non-autistic children

Senior forward Kevin Gilroy, who founded of Athletes 4 Autism, explained:

“Athletes 4 Autism Day was an incredible experience for the kids, families, student-athletes, and our autism community. We raised $1,000 in 2 hours for autism inclusion programs, we raised awareness and acceptance for those experiencing autism... and had a lot of fun doing it.”

Among the autographed prizes raffled were: three items from 1980 U.S. Olympic team captain (and BU standout) Mike Eruzione—a puck, Wheaties box and photograph of the game-winning goal in the “Miracle on Ice” win against the Soviet Union; a Matt Gilroy Ottawa Senators jersey, a baseball from Kevin Youkelis, and a Jacoby Ellsworth Red Sox Jersey. All proceeds raised during the event went to benefit the Autism Research Foundation.

BU is the first University to support Athletes-4-Autism and the men's and women's hockey team are actively involved with Autism Speaks. The men's team has partnered with the national autism awareness organization for the past eight years. Earlier this year, Coach Jack Parker taped a public service announcement for Autism speaks.

Looking ahead

2012 recruit Matt Lane continued to have a hot hand at the World U18 Championships in the Czech Republic, scoring his third goal of the tournament and adding an assist in Team USA’s 5-3 come-from-behind win against Canada. The speedster from Rochester, N.Y., set up the game-winner and then added an empty-netter to seal it. In the first period, he was pulled down on a breakaway, earning a penalty shot, which was turned aside.

2012 recruit Matt Grzelcyk had produced Team USA’s first goal with power play blast from the top of the circle.

Lane is his team’s point leader with a 3-3-6 line and third overall in the tournament, as well as plus/minus leader with +6.

With the win, USA gains a bye into the semifinals as it seeks to again repeat as gold medalist.

United States of Hockey's Chris Peters, who is doing play-by-play of the Webcasts of Team USA games, listed Lane and 2013 recruit Danny O'Regan as two of the top performers for the defending champions.

Matt Lane — Lane got another two points on the night, but was a factor in a variety of other ways. His speed is incredibly tough for most teams to deal with, and he rarely, if ever, loses a puck battle along the boards. He isn’t necessarily big, but he is incredibly strong and uses that strength well. He had a penalty shot in the first period, in which he got robbed, but his speed and strength is what helped draw that penalty-shot opportunity. Lane now leads the U.S. with six points (3g-3a).

Danny O’Regan — O’Regan has proven to be a valuable commodity,
particularly in the faceoff circle. Canada’s centermen were very good on draws, but O’Regan won nine of his 12 faceoffs. He was the only U.S. center with more than three faceoffs that finished in the plus, winning 75 percent of his draws. He, along with Nic Kerdiles and Ryan Hartman also did a great job of creating offense, despite none of the three scoring goals of their own.

2014 recruit defenseman Jonathan MacLeod has accepted an invitation to join the NTDP U17s next season following a strong season at Kimball Union Academy with teammate and blueline partner 2013 recruit Doyle Sommerby. A third KUA standout, one with BU ties, is taking his college career further west on the Mass Pike. UMass 2014 recruit Casey Miller is the son of former Terrier and NHLer Paul Miller, who played on BU’s 1978 NCAA champions. Current Minuteman Coach Don Cahoon, also a KUA alum, was an assistant BU coach on the ’78 title team.

2012 recruit Matt O’Connor turned aside 30 of 32 shots as Youngstown thumped Cedar Rapids, 6-2, to sweep the Roughriders, 2-0, in the first round of the Clark Cup USHL playoffs. With the victory, O’Connor has 30 total victories this season. Next up for the Phantoms is Eastern Conference top seed Green Bay. Second seed Indiana (Robert Polesello, Robbie Baillargeon) had a first-round bye and now takes on Dubuque in the conference semis.

BU’s other goalie recruit for next season, Sean Maguire, concluded his season as Powell River was ousted by Penticton in the Fred Page Cup/BCHL finals. Maguire’s strong post-season performance had led the Kings to the league championship series. At the team’s awards banquet, Maguire received the Kings’ Most Popular/Crowd Favourite Award

►USA Hockey has announced the first All-American Prospect Game, which will feature the top American prospects eligible for the 2013 NHL draft. The game will be held on September 29 in Buffalo.

Looking back
A pair of former BU captains figured in the Las Vegas Wranglers’ 3-2 OT win against the Idaho Steelheads, in ECHL playoff action. Pete MacArthur had given the Wranglers a 2-1 lead in the second period, but Joe Pereira sent the game to overtime with a goal coming with less than two minutes left in regulation. Former Lowell standout Scott Campbell netted the winner for Las Vegas.