Looking back and ahead

It's just over a week away from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and several incoming Terriers are getting attention from the media and NHL teams.

But first, we'll catch up with BU's 10th Stanley Cup winner, Jack Eichel, who didn't hold back during the Golden Knights' victory parade through Las Vegas.

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Stanley's on the Strip. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vAcnc5I5SZ

— NHL (@NHL) June 18, 2023

 

Eichel might take his celebrating to Disney World, but first he connected with fans, working the drive-thru at Raising Cane's, a familiar locale from his Terrier days.

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them: “now that you’ve won the Stanley Cup what are you going to do next?”

Jack Eichel: WORK THE DRIVE-THRU AT RAISING CANES 🤣🍗

(via @raisingcanes) pic.twitter.com/RyrXFeLusz

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 17, 2023

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Jack Eichel made this kid’s day 🥹

(Via @laurenjparry) pic.twitter.com/8AUvmShuzv

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 18, 2023

►If you subscribe to The Athletic, check out an excellent piece on Eichel: How he rewrote his story with a sensational postseason. 

The Lowell Sun recalls when it first reported Eichel's exploits as a 14 year old phenom.

Looking ahead

Swedish defenseman Tom Willander continues to earn praise in draft previews and is now projected to be a top 20 pick. The "Off The Post" podcast, (beginning at 13:20) discusses the strengths of his game and the strong impression he made during Combine interviews: “He was the smartest kid out there….his hockey IQ is off the charts.” 

NHL.com's Adam Kimmelman talked with Willander and NHL scouts about his decision to play for BU rather than with Rogle's Swedish pro league team.

"When you play back home it's one type of game, it's not really the same," Willander said. "I'd say it's a little bit more physical, a little bit bigger guys, older guys. When you get to the [World U-18s] and you play with people your age, they're usually more skilled. I guess it's a really good balance to see that you can play in both. And obviously you got to see a lot of the top guys in the world, you got to play against them, get to see how that works."

How it worked for Willander was the chance to shine a bright light on his skating, poise with the puck and physicality, which one scout said reminded him of New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox.

"It's Willander's hockey sense and maturity that stands out," Janne Vuorinen of NHL European Scouting said. "He has really good hockey sense and he plays always on the move. Likes to join the rush with his good footwork and puck skills. Plays with poise when on the puck and makes good decisions."

● NHL.com Willander Turns Down Swedish Pro League for NCAA

● Willander highlight reel (he's #60 for Rogle, #5 for Team Sweden).

 

Clarence Center N.Y., native Gavin McCarthy, who will join his brother, Case McCarthy, on the Terrier blueline, didn't have to travel far for the Combine in Buffalo. He discussed his Combine experience with WGR Sports Radio.

●  McCarthy hoping to be next player from Buffalo to play in the NHL

 

Chicago Steel forward Jack Harvey wasn't selected in the 2022 draft, but he's on Scott Wheeler's (The Athletic) list of top 12 overagers for this year's draft.

"When Jack Harvey was first eligible for the 2021 draft, I had both a USHL source and a Minnesota high school source tell me that despite the fact that he’d only registered 17 points in 48 games on a loaded Steel roster, that he was the league’s most underrated NHL prospect. Two years later, he has now finished second in the USHL in goals (40) and fourth in points (74) and is off to Boston University in the fall as a USHL Second All-Star Team member. I thought he played well in the 2022 and 2023 BioSteel All-American Games and was dominant as a shot creator in some of my viewings with the Steel this year, regularly creating good looks for himself. He’s sneaky-strong for his size and while I would like to see him play with a little more fight at times, he can attack at defenders into his shot and adjust it ever-so-slightly before getting it off. He’s got really quick hands, and I’m interested to see what he’s going to look like in the college game at the very least." 

Steel Head Coach and General Manager Mike Garman discusses the Stacy, Minn., native's game here. Then scroll down for Harvey highlights and a draft assessment from NeutralZone's Ian Moran.   

Puck Preps looks at the top 2006-born USHL defenseman, including 2024 recruit Owen Keefe, who played at Muskegon with Gavin McCarthy this past season.

Muskegon trusted his defensive game and it was easy to see why: his size and his quickness make him a difficult player to take on and he showed a more physical side to his game this year.