Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Viewing the Friendship Four; Massachusetts forward commits; Recruits in the news; Sacco takes the Bruins reins

 Buckle up, Terrier fans. Lots of ground to cover today.

Planning ahead for post-Thanksgiving Terrier Hockey? Here's what you need to know:  BU’s opening round game against Merrimack at The Friendship Four in Belfast on Friday, Nov. 29, will air on ESPN+, NESN and TSN+. 

Puck drop is set for 9 a.m. ET and the game will be a Hockey East contest with the Warriors as the home team. That game comes one week after the Terriers host the ‘Mack at Agganis Arena this Friday.

BU’s second tournament game—against either Harvard or Notre Dame—also will air on the same three media outlets on Nov. 30. Time TBD.

►In addition to Cole Eiserman earning Rookie of the Week honors, Shane Lachance, Tom Willander and Mathieu Caron were named to Hockey East's Top Performers list.

 

    Stats' Sheet

►BU Hockey Stats posted his Week 7 recap of men's and women's series, including Advanced Stats for game 1 in Maine. Game 2 Advanced Stats are here.

 

Looking ahead

Terriers have received a commitment for 2026 from Dexter Southfield right-shot forward Rian Chudzinski. The Needham, Mass., native is a late 2007 birthdate who will turn 17 on December 30. 

Chudzinski, who had garnered interest from Hockey East, ECAC, Big 10 and NCHC schools, told New England Hockey Journal that he purposely took his time throughout the recruiting process before settling on BU. He explained, "You want to go to the place that’s right for you, right for your development."

Chudzinski transferred this fall from St. Sebastian's, where he had a 13-9-22 line on a senior-heavy squad, to Dexter where he will be coached by former Terrier defenseman Dan Donato.

NEHJ reports that:

Chudzinski’s stock has soared over the past two seasons. The Needham, Mass., native scored four goals and tallied seven points in five games at USA Hockey’s Select 16 Camp in the summer of 2023...This summer, he was strong at Select 17 Camp, notching three goals and four points in six games.

The 6-foot, 172-pound forward was arguably the most dominant 18U player in New England this fall, lighting it up with the Boston Junior Eagles. He even got tapped for two games with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U18 team in late October. He posted an assist against Boston College.

Last Spring, Chudzinski was selected by Youngstown in the USHL’s Phase 1 draft.

In June, PuckPreps reviewed Chudzinski's performance in a USA Hockey Select 17 tournament game.

Rian Chudzinski | #11 | Forward | Game Rating – 4.5/5
Chudzinski constantly battled and did not quit on a puck the entire game. He stole pucks by lifting opposing defensemen’s sticks from behind numerous times, won tons of battles in the corners, and constantly made plays in the offensive zone. He had great body position when protecting the puck, but also when competing for open ice around the net. He was a handful for defenders as he weaved through them with the puck and found open teammates. He was stopped on a breakaway early in the second half but got another opportunity alone with the goaltender and put a backhander upstairs. In the DZ he showed intensity by winning battles along the boards, demonstrating a solid two-way game.

 


NEHJ’s Evan Marinofsky added:

The Terriers are getting a player with translatable skills to Division 1 when he makes the jump. He’s a great, powerful skater who generates speed quickly. He’s physical and not afraid to get to the net front. He wins his board battles and always showcases a high compete. And, with all of that, he has high-end stick skills and a quick, accurate shot.

A month ago, another NEHJ story on Chudzinski quoted Merrimack assistant Jimmy Mullin who coached him at the Select 17s in June:

“He is a hard-skill-type player. He has the ability to be elusive, but his hands and his core strength allow him to play a 200-foot game. His skill-set always came out because he was willing to win battles. His ability to create in hard areas and soft areas is why he was super dynamic during camp.”

“I think he’s got a great shot. It’s hard and accurate. He has the ability to change angles to keep the goaltender guessing.”

His father, Rob, is a college and pro football coach, most recently at BC for four seasons prior to this year. He was head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2013 and was an offensive coach and coordinator for several NFL teams.

● NEHJ Ryan Chudzinski commits to Boston University (subscription)

● Elite Prospects Page  

A 6’5”, 225 lb., right-shot from Westbrook, Maine, Amico received a B-rating on Central Scouting’s Preliminary Watch List and had been a mainstay on the NTDP U18 defense.

● EPRinkside.com USHL Stock Watch Carter Amico turning heads early

While his in-motion defending is the most polished aspect of his game, he is exploring his on-puck and breakout capabilities. He’s a deft handler with an unlocked top hand and a reach that makes him unexpectedly difficult to dispossess. He likes to activate through the neutral zone in transition and on the cycle alike and has already shown flashes of puck-carrying skill and intelligence this season that weren’t apparent last year.

 

► The Athletic’s Cory Pronman has posted his top 13 for next June’s draft, which includes a pair of BU 2026 recruits:

10. Tynan Lawrence, C, Muskegon (USHL)

Lawrence has a highly likable game. He’s very intelligent at both ends of the ice. He’s a great playmaker who can run a power play and a competitive center who wins battles and comes back on defense well. He plays with pace and creates a lot of offense. The only drawback of his game is he’s closer to 5-11.

11. Luke Schairer, RHD, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Schairer is the top 2026 prospect at the U.S. National Team Development Program going into next season. He’s a tall, mobile defenseman who can move the puck well and has significant two-way potential as a pro. He’s not a super flashy type, but he has some offensive touch in his game.

Lawrence was among the top scorers at the World U17 Challenge with a 3-3-6 line in five games to help Canada White win gold. Schairer was Team USA’s top scoring defenseman in the tournament with a game-winning overtime goal and four assists.

● TheAthletic.com 2026 NHL Draft early rankings  (subscription)

 

► The buzz surrounding 2026 recruit Haoxi Simon Wang continues as NHL scouts head to OJHL rinks to watch the 6'6", 215 lb., left-shot defenseman for King Rebellion (16 points in 24 games). The Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis offered his thoughts in this video feature on top prospects for the 2025 draft.  

  

 

Looking back

Bruins Coach Joe Sacco ...  

The slumping Boston Bruins have relieved head coach Jim Montgomery of his duties and named associate head coach Joe Sacco as interim head coach. The Medford, Mass., native joins Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan and Minnesota’s John Hynes as Terriers serving as NHL head coaches.

Sacco joined the Bruins staff in 2014 as an assistant after serving as Colorado Avalanche head coach from 2009 to 2013. He won the Jack Adams Award in 2009-10.

A Toronto draft pick, Sacco played 14 NHL seasons racking up 213 points in 738 games.

In three seasons as a Terrier, Sacco generated 129 points including 52 (28G,24A) in 1989-90 as a top scorer on BU’s Frozen Four semifinalist squad.

In 1991-92, he played 64 games for Team USA, including the Olympic Games in Albertville, France, and the World Championships.

● NHL.com Montgomery fired as Bruins coach, replaced by Sacco

● Boston.com 5 things to know about Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco

● Elite Prospect Page—Player and Coaching

 

►AJ Greer scored his second goal in the Panthers' 6-3 loss to Winnipeg.

►Trevor Zegras assisted on the tying and game-winning goals as the Ducks rallied past Chicago, 3-2. 

 

Commesso

►The Blackhawks recalled Drew Commesso from AHL Rockford yesterday. He dressed as the back-up goalie in last night's game against Anaheim.

● The Hockey News Blackhawks Recall Talented Goalie Prospect from AHL  

 

Terrier fans, do you agree? 

 

► There was a dual homecoming this afternoon at Agganis for Utah captain Clayton Keller and for Boston Hockey Blog alum Belle Fraser, now a hockey beat reporter for the Salt Lake City Tribune.

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