Mile High Terriers--UPDATED

Terriers are in Denver preparing for Saturday’s U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game against the Pioneers and doing some sight-seeing as well. You can check out the on-ice and off-ice activities at the team’s Twitter account.

Boston Hockey Blog reports that Matt O’Connor will get the call in net Saturday with Sean Maguire getting the next start vs. RPI on Jan. 4. The Boston Globe examines the two freshman goalies’ progress filling the void left by Kieran Millan and Grant Rollheiser.

Last season BU hosted Denver and came away with a 4-3 victory. Wade Megan scored the game-winner. 

►Episode 10 of Inside BU Hockey features Coach Jack Parker’s assessment of BU’s 10-5-0 first semester performance, including grades for goaltending, forwards and defense. Fifth-year senior defenseman Ryan Ruikka also is a guest with host Bernie Corbett.

World Junior Championships--UPDATE

Freshman Matt Grzelcyk was the final cut from the U.S. Jr. National Team with WIndsor Spitfire defenseman Patrick Sieloff added to the roster. Early reports indicate Grzelcyk will return to Boston tomorrow and be available to play in BU's Jan. 4 home game against RPI.
More to follow.

Seeing Grzelcyk left in limbo since the team's exhibition games in Finland didn't sit well with Parker who yesterday told the Boston Hockey Blog, "I think they've done him and us a disservice. They should have made that decision before they left Helsinki." 
 
In a USCHO pre-tournament assessment of Team USA’s talent, general manager Jim Johannson saids he really likes the way the 5-9 Grzelcyk plays and suggested he might be the “most feisty” player on the blueline.

“He plays bigger,” Johannson said. “He’s strong on the puck and a dynamic skater. He can play in all situations and sees the ice well. If you put a puck in the corner, we like the chance that [Grzelcyk] will come away with the puck.” 

New England Hockey Journal profiled Grzelcyk and Harvard freshman Jimmy Vescey, who grew up playing hockey together in Charlestown, Mass.

Looking back

Former Terrier forward David Van der Gulik earned AHL Player of the Week honors for a 3-4-7 line in three games with plus-5 rating. The seventh year pro has 19 points in 29 games for Lake Erie.