Jay Pandolfo takes the reins

As had been predicted by multiple media sources, associate head coach Jay Pandolfo has been named as the Terriers’ next head coach. Following a search that also included candidates with no prior connection to BU, Pandolfo, 47, will become the program’s 13^th head coach as it begins its second 100 years. An NCAA champion in 1995 and a two-time Stanley Cup winner, he had returned to Comm. Ave. last summer as the top assistant to former coach Albie O’Connell.

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As we close the books on the 100th season of BU Hockey, Season 101 starts with a new leader.#ProudToBU pic.twitter.com/aWxJmU8y5c

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) May 5, 2022

Pandolfo will be formally introduced on Monday, May 9, at an 11 a.m. press conference in Agganis Arena’s Francis D. Burke Club Room. Earlier today, he and athletic director Drew Marrochello met with members of the team. 

In a press release, Pandolfo said, "I want to thank Drew Marrochello and President Robert A. Brown for this incredible opportunity. It was a thrill to return here last year, and to now lead a program that holds such a special place in my heart is a dream come true.

"Choosing to play at BU was one of the best decisions I ever made,” he continued, “and I hope that the players I coach feel the same way when they complete their careers here. I'm excited to get to work and keep BU among the elite college hockey programs in the country."

                                         Photo by Kyle Prudhomme
Despite lacking experience as a head coach, Pandolfo brings an impressive resume. He’ll be the first D1 men’s hockey coach who, as a player, has won an NCAA title and two Stanley Cups.

After concluding his 15-year NHL career in 2013, the Burlington, Mass., native had been a Bruins assistant for the past five seasons, first under Claude Julien and then with Bruce Cassidy, following two seasons in player development for Boston.

A second-round draft pick of New Jersey in 1993, Pandolfo spent 13 seasons as a Devil, winning the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003. Primarily a defensive forward and a standout penalty-killer, he scored 99 goals and 223 points for the Devils before playing one season for the Islanders and a partial year with his hometown Bruins. Regular-season career totals: 899 games, 100 goals, 126 assists. Playoff totals: 131 games, 11 goals, 22 assists—including 6-6-12 for the 2003 championship team.

As a Terrier left wing from 1992-1996, Pandolfo played on four Frozen Four squads including the 1995 NCAA Champions and 1994 national finalists. As a senior, he led the team with 67 points (10th best in program history) and 38 goals (3rd best, tied with Chris Drury), including a short-handed hat trick. That performance earned him first-team All-American honors and he also was a Hobey Baker Award finalist.  His 79 career goals are tied for ninth best in program history, while his 169 points also are ninth best. Only Jack Garrity (51) and Bob Marquis (41) scored more goals in a season for BU.

Prior to becoming a Terrier, he was a three-year standout at Burlington High School racking up 178 points in 63 games. During the NHL lockout in 2005, he returned to Burlington High as an assistant coach.

● GoTerriers.com Jay Pandolfo named Head Coach of the Terriers

● USCHO.com Pandolfo "knows what it takes to win"

● DailyFaceoff.com Boston University tabs former NHLer Jay Pandolfo as head coach

● College Hockey News BU tabs Pandolfo for coaching post 

●YouTube Pandolfo scores vs. UMass, March 1996

►WTBU Sports conducted an exit interview with Robert Mastrosimone who is transferring to Arizona State. BU will see him next season at the Desert Hockey Classic, Jan. 7 & 8

Looking ahead

Four future Terriers were included in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings for the 2022 draft. Among North American skaters, NTDP LD Lane Hutston was ranked #25, Green Bay Center Ryan Greene was #46, NTDP RW Devin Kaplan was #61 and Chicago center Jack Harvey was #135.

2023 recruit Jack Musa scored his fourth playoff goal as Madison defeated defending Clark Cup champion Chicago, 4-2, and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals against Muskegon. Musa had 19 goals in the regular season.

 

Muskegon won all four of its playoff games to date, led by 2022 recruit Quinn Hutson with six goals and three assists in four games. 2024 recruit Gavin McCarthy (Case’s brother) also plays for the Lumberjacks. USHL regular-season scoring champion Jeremy Wilmer, also a 2022 recruit, and the Tri-City Storm will face Sioux City in the best-of-five Western Conference finals.

● MuskegonSports.com Red-hot Quinn Hutson, top playoff scorer, ready to lead Lumberjacks into Eastern finals.

Looking back

Kiefer Bellows has been named to Team USA for the upcoming IIHF World Championships beginning May 13 in Finland. Former Terrier head coach David Quinn will be head coach of the U.S. squad.