Young joins coaching staff; O’Connell promoted; A pair of elite forwards commit for 2018

There’s 31 days until the Terriers' first on-ice action, but today was a busy one off the ice for BU Hockey. As had been rumored since Steve Greeley departed to join the New York Rangers’ front office, Director of Hockey Operations Scott Young (photo) has been named assistant coach. In addition, Albie O’Connell, who returned to his alma mater a year ago, has been promoted to the Associate Head Coach position vacated by Greeley.

Discussing his reorganized staff, Head Coach David Quinn said:

“Albie certainly has had a lot of success in his coaching career and has earned the opportunity to be the associate head coach here at BU He made great contributions last year as a coach and continues to be a fantastic recruiter for our program.

“We’re very excited to add Scott to our coaching staff after a year as our operations director. It goes without saying, but it will be an easy transition for him, especially with his hockey background and the amount of respect he’s earned throughout the sport.”

After two seasons at BU, Young spent 17 years in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup twice and skating in the Olympics three times. Before returning to BU, he was head coach at St. Mark’s School. O’Connell (photo), who captained the 1998-99 Terriers, has had a long career in college hockey, holding "Assistant Coach" positions at Niagara, Holy Cross, Merrimack, Northeastern and Harvard before rejoining BU last summer.

● GoTerriers.com report

● Boston Hockey Blog report
● SB Nation report

Looking ahead

With coaching duties having been dealt with, BU received commitments from two highly regarded forwards who will arrive on campus in 2018, Jack DeBoer (photo) and Tyler Weiss. Both are 2000 birthdates and they’ll join two other touted forwards, Jake Wise and Logan Cockerill, who committed earlier in the year to come aboard in 2018.

DeBoer, whose father, Peter, is head coach of the San Jose Sharks and formerly coached the N.J. Devils, is a 6-2, 170 lb. right shot, who led the N.J. Colonials U14s with 62 points (27G, 35A) in 35 games. He also played high school hockey, pacing Madison, N.J., High to a Haas Cup title with a 23-23-46 line in 17 games. This past summer, he scored a goal and four assists at the Select 15 Development Camp.

A scorer with “a lot of upside” according to OverTheBoards, DeBoer has enrolled at Salisbury School for his sophomore season and is likely a candidate for the NTDP Evaluation Camp next Spring.

#BU-bound Jack DeBoer was a force in the AYHL playing with the NJ Colonials last year, great shot, size, skating continues to come along.

— Over The Boards (@OTBPuckWatch) September 2, 2015

USHR rated him the #2 forward among 2000s at the Liberty Bell Games in June 2015:

Jack DeBoer (#19 Constitution, R, 6-2/160, ’00) DeBoer, the son of newly appointed San Jose Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer, is a blue chip prospect and, like Goldowski, will likely attract NTDP attention throughout the upcoming season, which he will play at Salisbury. A tall, lanky center out of the New Jersey Colonials organization, DeBoer led the team in offense with a 27-35-62 line in 35 games. He has a lot going for him -- an NHL frame, high-end shooting ability both from a standstill and in stride, and soft mitts. He makes smart decisions with the puck, passing at the right time and using his reach and body positioning to shield the puck instead of over exposing as many high-level players do at his age. His skating is a work in progress as he lacks both agility and balance, but that will surely come. 

Tyler Weiss, a Raleigh, N.C. native, is a 5-11, 150 lb., left-shot forward who starred for the Don Mills Flyers AAA in the Greater Toronto Bantam League and then was a call-up to the Flyers’ Minor Midget AAA squad for the playoffs, scoring twice in six games.

Last summer, Weiss (photo) earned MVP honors at the 2014 Mini Chowder Cup in Foxboro, leading Boston Whalers Black to the tournament title. OTBElite offered this summer assessment:

F Tyler Weiss-Don Mills Flyers, 5’11”, 140, Left shot

One of the larger forwards you will see at Age 14, Weiss is an intriguing offensive player. He is elusive when transitioning the puck and very slippery if you try to pin him down in the offensive zone. Despite playing forward at the Mini Chowder Cup, he looked at home defensively because of his size and ability to read developing plays. Quicker for his size than you might expect, Weiss could add a new dimension to his games as he continues to get stronger.

This season he’ll play for the Flyers Minor Midgets and he’s already been included on lists of top potential OHL draft picks. Weiss also can be expected to be a candidate for NTDP Evaluation camp.

Tyler Weiss (00) commits to Boston U. Don Mills Flyers forward has some nasty stick skills. Great offensive vision. Fluid skater. #NTDPwatch

— Matt Grainda (@graindaiv) September 2, 2015

Jake Wise, Jack DeBoer & Tyler Weiss are three big-time 2000 recruits for Boston University. Excellent recruiting trail success. #Terriers

— Matt Grainda (@graindaiv) September 2, 2015

● DeBoer Elite Prospects card

● Weiss Elite Prospects card

● SB Nation report

● Boston Hockey Blog report

Looking back

Three members of BU’s 2015 Hockey East Championship and NCAA finalist squad will skate in a pair of Buffalo Sabres Prospect Games on Sept. 12 and 14.  #2 overall draft pick Jack Eichel will be joined on the Buffalo roster by last season's Terrier assistant captains, Evan Rodrigues and Cason Hohmann, both of whom signed free-agent contracts with the Sabres organization.

●Sabres report and roster

Women’s Team

The four-time Hockey East champion Terriers announced their 2015-16 schedule with 34 games, including 19 home dates.  In addition to games against its conference foes, BU will host 2014 NCAA champion Clarkson and Penn State, as well as the 2016 Beanpot Tournament.

● GoTerriers.com report

● Full schedule