Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Linkorama-UPDATED


A feature story in The Athletic traces Drew Commesso's path to #1 goalie on the U.S. Junior National Team, which begins defense of its 2021 World Junior Championships gold medal on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET against Slovakia. Team USA is scheduled to face Finland in a pre-tournament exhibition tomorrow, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. ET. All US games will air live on NHL Network.

● IIHF home page

● USA Hockey WJC home page

The first step of that process was making the most of a delayed start to his freshman year with the Terriers, whose season didn’t begin until January 8, 2021, after he was out of quarantine. With the Terriers, the then-18-year-old Commesso played in 11 of the team’s 16 games, posting a 6-3-1 record and a .915 save percentage to work his way onto Hockey East’s all-rookie team as the youngest goalie in all of men’s college hockey.

The second step of that process was the men’s world championships, where he says he tried to study Dallas Stars goalie and Boston University alum Jake Oettinger, who he already knew a little bit before the tournament and who is among the goalies he has always studied closest because of their similarities.

“It was terrific,” he said of his time in Latvia. “I learned so much being over there. Especially off the ice just seeing what they’re like in the locker room. (And) to learn from (Oettinger) off the ice was really a treat. And really everyone on the team, how mature they were. It was such a great group of guys and we still sometimes stay in touch in the group chat if someone scores a big goal or someone has a kid. It was a really special team that was definitely something that I was blessed to be a part of.”

The third step in that process was USA Hockey’s world junior summer showcase, where he stopped 105 of 115 shots (.913 save percentage) to lead Team USA Blue to a 3-1-1 record.

“This summer we certainly went a little bit untraditional in that we were just going to play Drew as much as he could handle,” (U.S. coach Nate) Leaman said.

 

●The Athletic Blackhawk goalie prospect Commesso is ready for his WJC moment (subscription)

 

                   Clayton Keller & Charlie McAvoy in mid-air celebration

First-round voting for the top BU Hockey Memorable Moments continues through Friday. One of the brackets matches a pair of dramatic overtime wins: the 2015 Beanpot Final and the 2017 NCAA Regional semifinal. Check out the linked videos before you vote. More videos in the sidebar.

 

Looking back

The spotlight continues to shine on Evan Rodrigues as his breakout season continues. The Etobicoke, Ontario native, whose 61 points during his senior season were second only to Jack Eichel’s 71, was interviewed on NHL Network about playing on the Penguins’ top line with Sidney Crosby and other topics.

● NHL Network: NHL Now

● TheHockeyWriters.com Penguins’ Evan Rodrigues is Team’s Breakout Star

 

Kevin Shattenkirk and Max Jones joined forces to prank their Anaheim Ducks teammates as they taped holiday messages. Shattenkirk, who tops all Ducks blueliners with 18 points, put on a teddy bear suit, became part of the video background and…just watch, especially for Trevor Zegras’ reaction (at 3:35)

 

Speaking of Zegras, here’s a mash-up of his passing magic.

 

This Date in Terrier Hockey: 1971


Dec. 22: Top-ranked Terriers improved to 7-0-1 with a 4-0 shutout of RPI in the finals of the ECAC Christmas Tournament at Boston Arena. Junior forward Dave Wisner, a transfer from the University of New Brunswick, scored his first goal as a Terrier and it turned out to be the game-winner. The Pictou, N.S., native would serve as BU captain the following season. Guy Burrowes (photo), Bob Brown and Jake Danby also found the net while senior Dan Brady stopped all 20 Engineer shots and earned tournament MVP honors, yielding just one goal in the two games.

The prior evening, BU defeated cross-town rival Northeastern, 4-1. BU scored all four goals in the second period and its relentless pressure led to multiple power plays. After Burrowes converted a pass from Danby, Ric Jordan rocketed home a slapper with a man-advantage. The Terriers struck twice within a minute late in the period: Danby from the crease, assisted by Burrowes and Brown, followed by Paul Giandomenico’s 10-footer off a slick feed from Pete Thornton.

 

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