ATOs for Megan, Rosen; a familiar name joins the defense--UPDATED

Senior captain Wade Megan has signed an amateur tryout contract with the Florida Panthers’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio, where he could begin his pro career tonight.  The left wing, who finished his BU career with 79 points (47 g, 32 a), had been a Panthers fifth-round draft pick in 2009.

UPDATE Megan scored his first AHL goal last night in San Antonio’s 4-1 win against Grand Rapids. Ten minutes into the first period, Megan took a pass at full speed—“coming down central” as Bernie Corbett would say—and wristed the puck home for the game’s first goal. It was his only shot of the game, but earned him third-star honors.

 

Megan, who had been recruited to BU by David Quinn, when he was BU’s associate head coach, tweeted “Congrats to Coach Quinn, Terrier fans should be very excited about the future of this program #BUhockey.”

Senior center Ben Rosen has signed an amateur tryout contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ AHL affiliate. He joins former BU netminder Rick DiPietro on the Bridgeport roster.

More comments about new head coach David Quinn from the BU Hockey community:

● Jack Parker: “He brings a different perspective after being away for a while. I think they chose a terrific example of what we want here and he’ll do a great job.’’

● Tom Ryan, who co-captained the 1987-88 team with Quinn: “I think David will do a fabulous job. . . . He has impeccable character and a great work ethic. At this time in his life, he’s the right guy for the job.”

● Mike Eruzione:  “Congrats to David Quinn as New BU hockey coach. Great recruiter, coach and person. A new era starts now.

Cradle of coaches

BU Today examines another part of retired coach Jack Parker's legacy: the dozens of his former players now coaching at a variety of levels from youth hockey to USA Hockey to college and the professional ranks. Former Terriers John Hynes and Ken Rausch share their thoughts on how Parker's influence has shaped their coaching careers.

BU Today also produced a slideshow covering the nearly 50 years of Jack Parker's association with Terrier Hockey, beginning as a freshman in 1964. Included are photos of Parker with many of the standout performers he coached including numerous players who have gone one to coaching careers.

 

► In case you missed it, Hockey East announced a tentative schedule of 2013-2014 conference games. With Notre Dame joining the conference, teams will play two games apiece against each of ten opponents. BU’s schedule features a pair of games against the Fighting Irish in South Bend in February

Hockey News Future Watch

The Hockey News’ annual “Future Watch” issue ranked junior Matt Nieto as the Shark’s #5 prospect. San Jose drafted him  #47 overall in the 2011 draft, having moved up 12 spots to select him. SJ scouting director Tim Burke: “He has the offensive ability on the rush and has shown he can do other roles, like penalty kill. His speed is his engine.”

Charlie Coyle who moved up to the Minnesota Wild in February, was rated the Wild’s #3 prospect and a potential right wing to play on a line with Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu. “He’s got the ability to be a big-time player.”

Alex Chiasson was ranked #7 among Dallas prospects.

Looking at some top future draft picks, THN noted that 2014 recruit Jack Eichel was a "scoring machine" with the Jr. Bruins before starring for Team USA. “He has the attributes to be a power forward and great hands.”

Looking ahead

Terriers have added defense corps depth for next season with recruited walk-on South Shore Kings blueliner T.J.Ryan.  A 5-11, right-shot from West Newton, Mass., TJ is the son of former BU defenseman Tom Ryan, who currently provides analysis on WWZN broadcasts of BU Hockey.

TJ. was a three-sport athlete at Newton North High School, playing lacrosse and golf as well as hockey, was a five-time captain and earned recognition as the school’s top male athlete. He switched to forward in his first EJHL season, but returned to defense this past season, scoring eight points in 43 games with the Kings. In a bit of serendipity, the elder Ryan shared the captaincy of the 1987-88 Terriers with BU’s new head coach, David Quinn.

South Shore Kings Head Coach Scott Harlow points out that Ryan is “a steady, smart and fast learning defenseman who has done nothing but overachieve every place he has been.” He went on to predict that “T.J. Ryan will end up playing a major role on the B.U. hockey team before he receives his diploma…you can bet on that.”

Looking back

Chiasson’s 13^th goal of the season, three minutes into overtime, gave AHL Texas a 7-6 win against Houston. The two-time Ed Carpenter Award winner while at BU also added an assist. He had been called up to Dallas last week, but was returned to the AHL club.

Corey Trivino’s hat trick led the Florida Everblades past Orlando, 8-3 The former Islanders draft choice has 16 goals and 32 assists in 60 games.