Grzelcyk realizes NHL dream

Two-time BU captain and All-American Matt Grzelcyk made his NHL debut Wednesday night in Pittsburgh after being recalled by the Bruins from Providence. The Charlestown, Massachusetts native logged 14-1/2 minutes on the Boston blueline as the Penguins edged the Bruins in overtime, 4-3. Another former BU captain, Nick Bonino had a goal for Pittsburgh.

 Graphic shown during NBCSN broadcast

Grzelcyk, who had 12 points in 25 AHL games, made his TD Garden debut last night in the Bruins’ 4-3 loss to Anaheim. He told the press:

“It was really cool. Obviously, I got a chance to [play at the Garden] in college. But now with the Bruins sweater, it means a little bit more. I just tried to keep it in the back of my mind. Not tonight. Maybe I’ll think about it when I get home.

“When you look at the other side of the ice and see all those great players they have on their side [it hits you]. Obviously, it’s still a challenge. It’s a huge challenge every night. But I think I was able to shake the nerves a bit to start.”

Grzelcyk, who recorded 95 points for BU, became the 77^th Terrier to reach the NHL and the third this season—joining Danny O’Regan (San Jose) and AJ Greer (Colorado).

College Hockey Inc. noted that “Matt Grzelcyk became the 26th player who played college hockey in 2015-16 to reach the NHL.  He is also the ninth player from the 2015 NCAA championship game to play in the NHL."

NHLers from the 2015 NCAA Title Game:

Boston University: Jack Eichel, A.J. Greer, Matt Grzelcyk, Matt O’Connor, Danny O’Regan, Evan Rodrigues

Providence: Noel Acciari, Mark Jankowski, Brandon Tanev

● NHL.com recap and video       

● NHL.com Post-game interview

● Boston Globe: Grzelyck’s first NHL promotion

● Worcester Telegram: Grzelcyk steps into TD Garden as a Bruin

► The Daily Free Press's Jonathan Sigal spoke with Clayton Keller following the Yale game.

Today the Terriers are at the Hurley School in the South End delivering and reading books for the annual holiday reading! #ProudtoBU pic.twitter.com/pI70Qn5UYc

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) December 14, 2016

● GoTerriers.com: Annual visit to Boston schools reading program

World Junior Championships

Seven Terriers reported to USA Hockey’s final evaluation camp in Buffalo for the Junior National Team, which will compete in the World Junior Championships in Montreal and Toronto. Returnees Charlie McAvoy and Chad Krys are joined by Jake Oettinger, Kieffer Bellows, Jordan Greenway, Patrick Harper and Clayton Keller.  All except Harper had participated in the August evaluation camp.

● USA Hockey Day 1 Notebook

● Daily Free Press: Keller, McAvoy welcome WJC opportunity

● SB Nation: Jost and Fabbro make Team Canada

Looking ahead

2017 recruit Hank Crone scored a goal for Team USA in its 9-0 quarterfinal win over Switzerland in the World Junior A Challenge in Bonnyville, Alberta.

2018 recruit Joel Farabee scored his team-leading 11^th goal as the NTDP U17s doubled up Switzerland 4-2 in the opening round of the Four Nation’s Tournament in Monthey, Switzerland on Wednesday afternoon. For Farabee, the former Selects Academy standout, the tally was his fourth game-winner this season.

Looking back

Charlie Coyle scored his 10th goal and 11^th assist in Minnesota’s 5-2 win against Nashville. Colin Wilson recorded his 10^th assist for the Predators.

● NHL.com recap and video

Matt O’Connor stopped 17 shots in Binghamton’s 4-3 overtime win against St. John’s in AHL action.