Inside BU Hockey: Quinn, Fortunato, Craig--UPDATED

Episode20 of Inside BU Hockey features Bernie Corbett’s interviews with Coach David Quinn, freshman Brandon Fortunato and former All-American goalie and Olympic hero Jim Craig.  Fortunato, one of four freshmen on the Terrier blueline, is a standout passer who skates on BU’s second defensive pairing and power play. A late signing last spring, he becomes the 24^th Terrier who played in USA Hockey’s NTDP program.

Craig anchored Team USA’s gold-medal winning team in the 1980 Olympics, which celebrated its 35^th anniversary last week in Lake Placid. In the “Miracle on Ice” upset of the Soviet Union in the semifinals, Craig stopped 36 of 39 shots.  At BU, he split the goaltending chores with Brian Durocher for the 1978 national championship squad and was in net for the 5-3 title game win over BC. Craig earned All-American honors in 1978-79.

►Coach Quinn was Scott McLaughlin’s guest for WEEI College Hockey Puckcast, discussing the Beanpot, BU’s pursuit of a conference title, the status of goalies Matt O’Connor and Sean Maguire, and more.

►Sarah Kilpatrick’s Daily Free Press profile of Cason Hohmann explores the competitiveness that defines the senior assistant captain from Texas.

►Among 2014 NHL draftees, freshman Brandon Hickey’s stock has risen sharply, according to ESPN Insider Corey Pronman.

"Hickey has been one of the season's biggest risers in my eyes, playing at a very high level as an 18-year-old freshman in a tough conference. Hickey skates very well, has above-average puck skill, is very physical and has been effective on both special teams for BU. His reads could still use a little work -- as the quality of competition jump from the Junior-A level shows at times -- but overall, his talent level and intangibles stand out. Hickey has emerged as a player who will make the next top 100 drafted prospects list."

►BU’s “I Like Eich” for the Hobey Baker Award video, promoting freshman Jack Eichel, has earned kudos from TSN and CBS Sports Hockey Writer Chris Peters, who posted a photo of the “I Like Eich” button and the 1950s “I Like Ike” button it was modeled after.

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The HockeyBuzz report on the Buffalo Sabres interest in netminder Matt O’Connor features interviews with O’Connor and goalie coach Mike Geragosian. The junior from Toronto is expected to turn pro following this season and receive his degree from BU this summer.

 Looking ahead

Photo courtesy of John Crouch/J Alexander Imaging

2016 recruit Patrick Harper's hat trick (including the game-winner) and assist powered Avon Old Farms past Canterbury, 7-3. The left-shot center from New Canaan, Conn., has an (unofficial) 20-27-47 scoring line in 21 games for the Winged Beavers. He also skated in four games for the NTDP U17s.

Women’s Team

The Terriers host Vermont this weekend in a best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series. BU is the tournament’s second seed, while the Catamounts are #7. Game 1 is Friday at 5 p.m. at Walter Brown Arena with games 2 and 3 (if needed) set for Saturday and Sunday, each beginning at 3 pm.

● GoTerriers.com ticket information

● Along The Boards: Hockey East predictions

Captain Marie-Philip Poulin has been named as one of ten finalists for the 2015 Patty Kazamaier Award for the nation’s top Division 1 player.