O'Connor inks deal with Ottawa; Coyle added to Team USA

Junior goalie Matt O’Connor made it official on Saturday, giving up his final year of eligibility to sign a two-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. The Toronto native whose 25 wins this season are second only to Kieran Millan’s 29 in 2008-09, will receive a maximum of $925,000 for the two seasons. He also considered offers from Vancouver, Edmonton and the New York Rangers.

"I had to go someplace where I'm going to develop and I feel that Ottawa is a great place for me to develop as a goalie," O'Connor told the Senators website Saturday.

O’Connor will find several BU connections in Ottawa. Former Terriers Eric Gryba, a member of the 2009 national championship team, and Alex Chiasson, BU’s MVP in 2011-12, skate for the Senators. At AHL Binghamton, where O’Connor is likely to play next season, the assistant coach is Steve Stirling, captain of BU’s 1971 national champs, an All-American and a member of the BU Athletics Hall of Fame.

● New York Times interview with O’Connor.

● Daily Free Press report

● NHL.com report

● CBS Sports report
● Fox Sports report   (from former DFPer Arielle Aronson)


►ICYMI, College Hockey News: Between the Lines-Season Wrap-Up

Thanks to the blog reader who pointed out this video highlight reel of the Terriers’ 2014-15 season.

Former Terrier Charlie Coyle, whose Minnesota Wild was eliminated by Chicago, has been added to Team USA in the Czech Republic for the IIHF World Championships, joining Jack Eichel and Nick Bonino. Team USA brings a 4-1 record into Sunday’s game against Slovenia. Game time is 10:15 a.m. ET with NBCSN airing the game on a delayed basis at 3 p.m. ET.

Corey Trivino’s goal in triple overtime kept the Florida Everblades from being eliminated by South Carolina, as the Everblades won, 2-1, on Wednesday. Friday night, he scored a goal and assisted on the overtime winner as Florida won, 5-4.

● News-Press recap