Saturday, June 23, 2018

Pearl named Associate HC; Q&A with O'Connell; Four Terriers Drafted - UPDATED







BU Hockey Names Associate Head Coach

Former Harvard associate head coach Paul Pearl has been announced as the new Boston University men's hockey associate head coach, replacing the recently promoted Albie O'Connell as second in command of the Terrier program. During his four year tenure with the Crimson, Pearl was recognized for outstanding player recruitment and coaching, resulting in NCAA tournament appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Prior to that, Pearl served as the head coach of his alma mater, Holy Cross, accumulating 297 wins in 19 seasons.

"I am excited and humbled to become part of the Boston University men's ice hockey program," said Pearl. "Having the opportunity to working with Albie, Len and the rest of the staff here is truly exciting and I can't wait to get started. BU's tradition of excellence is something I have always admired."

It was also announced on Friday that new head coach O'Connell will retain the remainder of last year's coaching staff, including assistant coach Len Quesnelle, director of hockey operations Brittany Miller, and volunteer assistant goaltending coach Brian Eklund.
GoTerriers.com: Pearl Joins Men's Ice Hockey Staff as Associate Head Coach
Boston Hockey Blog: Paul Pearl named Associate Head Coach of men's hockey

Contributing Terrier Hockey Blog writer Neal E. Boudette sat down with Coach O'Connell to discuss his new role and how he assesses the upcoming BU hockey season:

Neal Boudette:  Congratulations on being named the head coach at Boston University. Did you ever think you'd be in this position, head coach at B.U.?   


Albie O’Connell:  Honestly, not really.  Coach Parker stayed 40 years and Coach Quinn was there and then I just thought things are going well. I was happy to be a part of it now working with them, working for the program and trying to win the national championship.  Then, all of sudden Quinnie is gone, there's a possibility, and it worked out. 


NB:  So how does your role change now as head coach?  You won't be out as much on the recruiting trail as before. 


AC:  No, it changes because you're running the program.  So, you're a little bit more in-house.  You're managing the guys around you and below you, and what the players have to work on.  Obviously when you get to our level, it's a collaborative effort.  But at the end of the day, the guy who's in charge is the head coach. So that's something that's different. It's going to be probably less travel, a little bit more involved on the ice.  And being with the team every day, keeping strong relationships with the players, and making sure all aspects go right, the social piece--the academic piece and the hockey, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

CONTINUE READING

Four Terriers Taken in 2018 NHL Draft






On Friday evening in Dallas, two Terriers were chosen in the first round.  Rising sophomore Brady Tkachuk (photo) was selected fourth by the Ottawa Senators and incoming freshman Joel Farabee was chosen fourteenth by the Philadelphia Flyers.  Tkachuk and Farabee happened to be the first two left wings taken in the draft.
● GoTerriers.com: Three Terriers Selected at NHL Draft
● NHL.com: 2018 Draft Diary: Brady Tkachuk






NHL.com video: Joel Farabee Selected 14th Overall by Flyers
● SonsofPenn.com: Flyer make smart pick to land Joel Farabee


In the third round on Saturday afternoon, incoming center Jake Wise was selected 69th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.
● Boston Herald: Locals Jake Wise, John Leonard live NHL 'dream"
NHL.com video: Jake Wise 2018 NHL Draft
NHL.com video: Jake Wise on being a Black Hawk


In the sixth round on Saturday afternoon, 2019 recruit Liam Gorman, a center for Saint Sebastian's, was taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 177th pick.




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