The three BU recruits skating in the IIHF 18U World Championships all are coming home with medals.
2024 recruit Cole Hutson assisted in the overtime game-winner by Ryan Leonard (BC) in Team USA’s come-from-behind, 3-2 win against Sweden in the championship game. Hutson, who was named to the tournament all-star team, was the top-scoring defenseman with 12 points (G,11A) and was eighth overall in scoring. The left-shot blueliner, who had a goal and an assist in the semifinal win against Slovakia, finishes his season with 67 points, setting a new record for most points by an NTDP defenseman.
● USA Hockey recap
●The Hockey News recap
2023 recruit Tom Willander was “a horse” on Sweden’s blueline in the gold-medal game, logging 29:59 in regulation, including 11:02 in the third, over 38 shifts. He finished the tournament with eight points (3G,5A), third best among defensemen. Willander, who was named to the all-star team at this past winter’s World U19 Challenge, was ranked #12 among international skaters in the NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings.
tw=align-centerBRONZE FOR CANADA! MACK CELEBRINI IS THE HERO! #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/XTZ3bUEBiZ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 30, 2023
2024 recruit Macklin Celebrini scored the overtime game-winner in Canada’s 4-3 win against Slovakia in the Bronze-medal game. He also assisted on the game-tying extra attacker goal by Matthew Wood with 70 seconds left in regulation, and scored Canada’s first goal. The left-shot center, who was named to the tournament all-star team and was cited as one of Canada’s top three players, finished the tournament with 15 points, tying Tyson Jost for most points by a Canadian in the U18 tournament. Celebrini will return to his Junior A team, Chicago Steel, who will play in the USHL East Conference finals against Youngstown.
● cbc.ca recap
►EPRinside.com 3 Stars of the World 18U Medal Round
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler included all three in his analysis of Tournament Standouts and Risers.
Macklin Celebrini, C, Canada (2024): Celebrini was Canada’s best and most consistent player as an under-ager. His speed was noticeable. I liked him on the penalty kill and the power play. He was seeing and executing through seams with a lot of crispness. He is so, so strong/thick for his age and absorbs and plays through bumps extremely effectively, staying over pucks and extending sequences. Those tools combine with excellent puck protection skills to allow him to play a heavy-skill game. He’s just a quietly powerful player for a 6-foot kid. He’s not going to bully his way around the ice, but he commands play and imposes himself. He let the one-timer rip harder than I remember. It was fitting that it was him who scored the bronze-medal-winning goal in overtime. You can forget that he’s 16 when you watch him and I thought he widened the gap with fellow top 2024 prospect Cole Eiserman (who filled the net but also really frustrated throughout) in the tournament.
Cole Hutson, LHD, USA (2024): This Team USA didn’t have a horse that they’d lean on for 20+ minutes a night, but Hutson always found a way to make an impact playing 17-19 minutes in more of a rotation that gave him fresh legs to use his mobility. He was the most impressive 2024 defenceman in the tournament for me. He quickly identifies second and third options, often a step ahead of opposing structures. The way he shows one thing and does another is pretty unique. His little hesitations in control into quick, decisive attacking moments grab your attention and allow him to make plays. He had the puck on a string at times. I think he’s a better skater than his big brother (he snakes his way through gaps in coverage so effortlessly and his lateral agility on cuts is a major strength). He executed some beautiful stretch passes. He’s got great touch and feel on his backhand as well as his forehand. And he holds his own defensively despite being tiny.
Tom Willander, RHD, Sweden (2023): A horse for the Swedes, Willander was on my all-star ballot despite having been ejected for the third period of their semifinal win over Canada. He was consistently impactful at both ends. He played confident and decisive. And boy is he ever a beautiful, balanced skater (one of the best-skating D in the draft), both on his heels and moving forward. He pulls away or retreats from pressure with ease but is also an excellent outlet passer, which combine to contribute to a proficient game on zone exits. His head is always up. He got his shots through. He was just a two-way monster, as he has been with the national team all year. He’s a potential first-round pick for me at this point.
Looking ahead
Looking back
Sunday night's game seven wins by Florida and Seattle sliced the number of Terriers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs from eight to six. Only the Stars' Jake Oettinger and the Golden Knights' Jack Eichel remain.
CHN's Mike McMahon reported the former BU head coach Albie O'Connell, currently scouting for Montreal, is under consideration for several D1 assistant coaching positions. Arizona State is among the possible landing sites for the former Terrier captain.
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