Summer International Tourneys Begin

Play began Saturday in USA Hockey's World Junior Summer Showcase, which is the first step in selecting the U.S. Junior National Team. The USA White squad dropped a 4-2 decision to Finland, but Lane Hutson made his presence felt. One of his patented rushes set up the White team's initial goal and late in the game, his home-run pass nearly led to a tying goal.

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Excellent zone entry and keep by Lane Hutson (MTL) with great vision to find Rutger McGroarty (WPG) in front. Team USA White 1-0 #WJSS pic.twitter.com/VMXSHv7mzn

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) July 29, 2023

● USA Hockey Day 1 recap

● NHL.com Hutson gets physical at World Junior Summer Showcase

●FloHockey.tv Day 1 standouts

 

Looking ahead

BU recruits John McNelis and Will Zellers led Team USA to a 4-1 win against Slovakia in a pre-tournament exhibition for this week's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup event in Czechia and Slovakia. After Slovakia took a 1-0 lead, Zellers connected on a power play to even the score.

In the second period, McNelis scored the eventual game-winner, connecting on his own rebound at the crease, with Zellers also picking up an assist.  

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John McNelis makes it a 2-1 USA lead after burying a second-chance opportunity that slipped past Martin Haronik. Great find from Tanner Henricks to set up the play #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/dnEhly9xF3

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) July 30, 2023

Defenseman Owen Keefe had a solid game as did forward Callum Hughes who had a breakaway opportunity that was turned away.

McNelis was named US player of the game. Team USA plays Czechia today in its first preliminary round game. The contest will air on NHL Network at 1 p.m. ET.

● USA Hockey US tops Slovakia, 4-1 

● McKeen's Hockey Hlinka-Gretzky Cup top prospects 

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“I want to be a top defenceman on a team and someone who can lead a team to a championship. That’s my goal.”

Building Blue continues with 2023 #NHLDraft first-round pick, Tom Willander. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/mUV3kRw0ND

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 26, 2023

 

►WTBU Sports alum Jashvina Shah looks at the history one of college hockey's iconic barns, Princeton's Hobey Baker Rink, as it begins its second hundred years.  

● College Hockey News Baker at 100

Recruiting season: 2007s can commit on Aug.1, WJSS begins

Next Tuesday, August 1, is the first day that 2007-born players (high school juniors) can make NCAA verbal commitments and it’s anticipated that many of the top-rated talents will soon make their decisions known.

A year ago, BU was one of August’s big winners, gaining verbals from incoming freshman Macklin Celebrini, the projected #1 NHL 2024 draft pick, NTDP standouts Cole Hutson and Kamil Bednarik (photo), Shattuck forward Will Zellers and USHL defenseman Owen Keefe, among others.

The Terrier coaches are already off to a strong start with the recent commitment from highly-regarded Mount St. Charles forward Conrad Fondrk, who will skate for the NTDP U17s this year. The White Bear Lake, Minn., native, who is PuckPreps' #4-ranked US 2007 skater, has accelerated his education, making him a high school senior and able to declare his college choice.

A report from subscription site PuckPreps suggests that BU will be contending for several of the top 2007 Americans as well as one late 2006.

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👀 pic.twitter.com/xrQCqA4dy6

— Terrier Hockey (@BU_Hockey5) July 25, 2023

High-scoring NTDP U18 forward Hagens, whose brother Michael is a Harvard commit, is a late 2006 who will be eligible for the 2025 draft. Potter, a standout left wing and PuckPreps' current top-ranked 2007 NCAA recruiting target, will skate for the NTDP U17s following two strong seasons with the Dallas Stars Elite. His mother, Jenny Potter, was a two-time Patty Kazmaier Award finalist while at Minnesota Duluth, a U.S. Olympian and a World Championships gold medalist.

 

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Good luck to Kap and Laner at @usahockey’s World Junior Summer Showcase this week! pic.twitter.com/yV0Zc8fG2s

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) July 27, 2023

Practice began today for 45 U.S. players--including BU's Lane Hutson and Devin Kaplan--at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich. The event is the first step toward choosing the U.S. Junior National Team. Both Terrier sophomores are on the USA White squad that will play Finland on Saturday.  

● NHL.com WJSS report

● WJSS game schedule

 

Looking ahead

TheRinkLive.com provides interview stories on both Zellers and Fondrk, who confirms he will be in BU’s 2025 recruit class.

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Why Conrad Fondrk can be the next big name in hockey https://t.co/XdRfmKilRS

— The Rink Live (@TheRinkLive) July 26, 2023

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Maple Grove's Will Zellers hoping to make the most of Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster spot https://t.co/k8305l0D5h

— The Rink Live (@TheRinkLive) July 26, 2023

 

Looking back

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Trevor Zegras is MONEY in the shootout 🤑

Z has the highest shootout shooting percentage in the last 3 seasons with 64.7% 🤯

(h/t @BigHeadHcky) pic.twitter.com/fA3ZAUKYuB

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 27, 2023

Trevor Zegras’ photo is on the “enemies wall” at the Goalies Union.

 

TheHockeyWriters.com looks at three Bruins with the most to prove next season, including newly-signed defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.

 

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Thrilled to have Patrick Harper joining us in South Carolina! He had a great college career with @TerrierHockey and has played well at the ECHL level. I'm looking forward to working with him. https://t.co/5MX7rpdJX3

— Owen Gund (@owengund) July 27, 2023

Patrick Harper returns to the U.S. after playing in Europe the past two seasons. In four seasons at BU, he had a 41-74-174 scoring line in 128 games and also played on two U.S. Junior National Team in the World Junior Championships.

● Elite Prospects Page