Friday, October 16, 2020

O'Connell updates Terrier Nation in Zoom Session

Head Coach Albie O’Connell conducted a Virtual Coach’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to update Terrier fans on a variety of subjects including plans to begin the season, protocols being used for team practices, his thoughts on returning and incoming players and recruiting. Transfers Jay O’Brien (Providence) and Max Kaufman (Vermont) joined the call and talked about their transition to the BU program. Some highlights:

Hockey East is still working on protocols and has yet to set a date for games to begin. Any games in November and December would be without fans with a decision on 2021 games TBD. With the exception of the Beanpot, all games will air on CBS All-Access.

Unlike the Big 10, Hockey East teams will not be playing teams from other conferences or independents. Teams could schedule additional games with HE teams that would be considered “out-of-conference.”

Practices at Walter Brown Arena continue with split groups of 13 and 14 but will soon switch to a larger group of about 23. (Note: Seven Terriers were in Michigan from Oct. 8 to 13 for Junior National Team evaluation camp: forwards Robert Mastrosimone, Dylan Peterson and Luke Tuch, defensemen Domenick Fensore, Case McCarthy and Alex Vlasic; and goalie Drew Commesso. Since their return, they’ve been tested and quarantined.)

The team is split into three groups for using the weight and training rules. In an effort to enhance fitness and prevent injuries, the team has been taking Yoga courses outdoors on Nickerson Field via Zoom on the scoreboard.

O’Connell noted the quality of the defense corps, led by “Hobey Baker candidate” David Farrance. But with the departures of Cam Crotty and Kasper Kotkansalo, depth is an issue, so senior Jake Witkowski has been practicing with the blueliners. Adding a defense after first semester is a possibility.

Goaltending will be a strength. O’Connell said Commesso is one of the best incoming goalies he’s seen. He also pointed to freshman Vincent Duplessis as a very athletic goalie who has impressed in practice (Note: Following NJEC, Coach Nate Leaman told reporters that "Drew Commesso has had a heck of a camp also.')'

Discussing incoming forwards, O’Connell said that Tuch is a big, physically mature and skilled wing who could play an important role early on, while Peterson also brings size and a strong shot. Winger Nick Zabaneh is the team’s fastest player with dynamic skating and finishing ability. O’Brien brings considerable offensive skill and will likely play center.  Kaufman, the fastest player on the squad, can play all three forward positions and is an experienced penalty-killer.

Forwards Ethan Phillips and Wilmer Skoog had come back bigger and in great shape and included him in the group of sophomores ready to take a big step up. Over the summer, Skoog added about 20 pounds while reducing his body fat. Juniors Jake Wise and Jack DeBoer are healthy and ready to assume bigger roles after missing time due to injuries in prior years.

Addressing the rules changes, O’Connell likes the updated rules on face offs (penalty awarded for 2nd infraction on a face off) because it will end “a lot of cheating” on draws. He also is a fan of requiring 3-on-3 play for overtime in all conferences. 

Recruiting also has adapted to the new normal with potential recruits talking with coaches online and touring BU and its athletic facilities via Zoom.

►The NCAA has announced sites for the 2023-2026 Frozen Fours. The next six sites are:

  • 2021: Pittsburgh, Pa. (PPG Paints Arena)
  • 2022: Boston, Mass. (TD Garden)
  • 2023: Tampa, Fla. (Amalie Arena)
  • 2024: Saint Paul, Minn. (Xcel Energy Center)
  • 2025: St. Louis (Enterprise Center)
  • 2026: Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)

The NCAA also has awarded seniors in winter sports, including ice hockey, an extra year of eligibility due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak.

● CollegeHockeyInc. report

Looking ahead


2022 recruit Devin Kaplan (photo) scored his first goal of the season in the NTDP U17s’ 10-0 blanking of the Soo Lakers. A 6’2” right wing, Kaplan has a 1-2-3 line in four games.  Last season he skated for the North Jersey Avalanche 16U Premier along with two other BU recruits: his NTDP teammate defenseman Lane Hutson, who had an assist in the win, and goalie Anton Castro, now with the USHL Fargo Force.

● NTDP recap

 

Looking back

Matt Nieto, a fan favorite while at BU, has signed a one-year, free-agent contract with San Jose, the team that drafted him in 2011 and for whom he played for three plus seasons. The California native has skated for Colorado the past four campaigns and had a career-best 15 goals in 2017-18.

● NHL.com/Sharks report

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