O’Brien interview; Grzelcyk re-ups with Bruins for four years

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In College Confidential, @MarkDivver checks in with a healthy Jay O'Brien as he anticipates his @TerrierHockey debut, and forecasts a scintillating goalie duel in the 2020 world junior tourney.https://t.co/Jcmq1XxMan

— New England Hockey Journal (@NEHockeyJournal) October 16, 2020

Transfer Jay O’Brien talked with New England Hockey Journal about his expected role with the Terriers and his off-season surgery for abdominal tears that had slowed him at Providence and in the BCHL.

“I’ve battled a lot over the last two years. I’m healthy and my mind is in the right place. I want to get back to playing the way that I know I can play,’’ the 2018 Flyers first-round draft choice told NEHJ’s Mark Divver.

“I’ve had a couple of meetings with (BU head coach) Albie (O’Connell) and they expect me to come in and be a power-play guy and probably on the top line or top two lines, whatever it may be. We’ve talked about wing or center. I played on the wing quite a bit in Penticton.’’

After a difficult freshman season at Providence, O’Brien led BCHL Penticton in scoring with 66 points in 46 games.

● NEHJ Healthy Jay O'Brien raring to go for BU 

Looking ahead

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Boucher cleans up the garbage in front for his fourth of the season! 🙌#USAvsMUS pic.twitter.com/cy3EljvD6y

— USA Hockey’s NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) October 17, 2020

2021 recruit Tyler Boucher scored his fourth goal in the NTDP U18s’ 4-2 win against Muskegon on Saturday, completing a two-game sweep. The 6’1” right wing has six points in four games.

● USAhockeyntdp.com recap

Dirty freakin' dangles, boys 🧐#USAvsMUS pic.twitter.com/v1qpvuQAmY

— USA Hockey’s NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) October 17, 2020

In Friday’s game against the Lumberjacks, 2021 recruit Jeremy Wilmer scored the game-winner and added an assist in the U18s’ 5-3 win. A 5’6” left shot forward, Wilmer has a 4-3-7 line in five games.

● USAhockeyntdp.com recap

 

2022 recruit Anton Castro stopped seven of nine shots in 30 minutes as the Fargo Force defeated Sioux Falls, 5-3. The 6’2” goalie from Mendola Heights, Minnesota played last season for the North Jersey Avalanche 16U Premier along with current NTDP U17 skaters Devin Kaplan and Lane Hutson—both 2022 recruits—and 2023 recruit Jack Musa. His 1.73 GAA earned first-team AYHL honors and he was a Beast Series second team all-star.

● USHL.com box score

 

Looking back

Two-year Terrier captain and two-time All-American Matt Grzelcyk has signed a four-year, $14.75 million contract with the Bruins, avoiding salary arbitration. With Tory Krug signing with the Blues, Grzelcyk, a third-round draft pick in 2012, is expected to assume a larger role on the Bs’ blueline and on the power play. Last season he had career highs with four goals and 17 assists in 68 games.

● NHL.com report Grzelcyk signs four-year, $14.75 million contract with Bruins

● Boston Globe report

● Boston Herald report

► Hockeywilderness.com What Nick Bonino can bring to the Minnesota Willd?

Women’s Team

Senior co-captain Jesse Compher has been invited to the U.S. Women’s National Team evaluation camp for a third season. She was part of Team USA’s gold-medal winning squad at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championships and was named to the 2020 team before the tournament was cancelled.   

● GoTerriers.com report