Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Boston Advantage blueliner commits to Terriers UPDATED

For the third time this month, BU has added a defenseman to its recruiting pipeline. Coach Albie O’Connell has received a commitment from ’04 Boston Advantage right-shot defenseman Timmy Busconi, for 2023 or 2024. Earlier this month, BU landed Gavin McCarthy, who has been tendered by USHL Muskegon, and Kai Janviriya, who will skate for the NTDP U17s.

BU coaches had recently observed Busconi at the Lovell Hockey Combine and subsequently offered him.

New England Hockey Journal’s Jeff Cox reports that the 6’0” blueliner from Milton, Massachusetts “skates well, has a good stick and can move pucks north.” He’ll play for the Boston Advantage USPHL18U this year--where former BU All-American defenseman Rich Brennan is one of the coaches-- before likely spending a season in the USHL.

In a shortened 2020-21 season with the Boston Advantage 16U AAA National squad, Busconi recorded three assists in four USPHL regular-season games and three more in three playoff games and played in some non-conference games as well. The previous season he had a 4-4-8 line in 16 games with the 16Us. This past May he skated in the Massachusetts CCM High Performance Festival. BU coaches had recently observed Busconi at the Lovell Hockey Combine and subsequently offered him.

● EliteProspects.com page

● USPHL.com Boston Advantage D Busconi commits to BU

 

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s ranking of NHL-drafted goalie prospects slots sophomore Drew Commesso at #8:

8. Drew Commesso, G, 19 (Chicago Blackhawks — 46th overall, 2020)

Commesso reliably makes the saves that he should and plays the same game-to-game. He doesn’t steal a ton of starts and he’s got below-average size, but he plays a studious game that reads the play well, cuts down on angles, stays on his lines and relies on his quick feet and athleticism only when he has to. I wouldn’t say he’s got any A-plus tools that really pop, but there’s not a lot in his game that you can nitpick either and I thought he was really good for a teen-aged freshman goalie at Boston University last season.

Two former Terriers made Wheeler’s list of top 50 prospects among NHL drafted skaters:

4. Trevor Zegras, C, 20 (Anaheim Ducks — 9th overall, 2019)

Even after the introduction of a whole slew of names from the top of another draft class, Zegras is still clearly the best facilitator on this list. His ability to see plays that others don’t, hit difficult seams with the perfect touch and passing, create lanes with his hands, play at his own pace and surprise defenders and goalies, is truly unique. He’s also not shy physically, which helps him play above his weight class in board battles and he’s a lethally accurate, pinpoint shooter who has started to look for his own chances more consistently. He’s not a burner as a skater, which does limit his ability to create separation at times, but he never looks like he’s in any trouble even when his surroundings cave in on him, so I don’t see it as much of an impediment. It’s not hard to imagine him slinging passes to Mason McTavish or Jacob Perreault (who can both cleanly beat goalies from mid-distance) in the not-too-distant future, even if that means one of he or McTavish has to play the wing for the Ducks (which they have both played and can play).

50. David Farrance, LHD, 22 (Nashville Predators — 92nd overall, 2017)

After finishing up two of the most productive seasons in recent college hockey memory by a defenseman, combining for 59 points in 45 games, Farrance has turned himself into a really intriguing prospect. And though he feels old, being one of only two 2017 draftees on this list, having stayed in college for all four seasons and having been a name prospect at the national program before that, he only just turned 22 in June and he was a true freshman when he started at Boston University. I’ve watched a lot of Farrance (both in-person and on tape) to come to a pretty firm conclusion with where I’m at with him as a prospect. And despite his age, he has shown consistent year-over-year improvement that suggests to me that he’s not going to hit some wall and plateau as an AHL guy in Milwaukee this year. I see a prospect who will work his way into the 4-5 conversation with the Predators (as crowded as that blue line remains) in the next year or so before becoming something more than that in the prime of his career while running a power play throughout. He’s a plus-level skater, passer, creator, rush sergeant and handler with a mid-level game without the puck (his offense can come at the expense of positioning and support, but he’s a heady defender when there’s no offense to look for).

Looking ahead

2022 recruit Ryan Greene, heading into his second USHL season with Green Bay, is gaining attention as a potential late first-round pick in next year’s NHL Entry Draft. A 6’1”, right-shot center, he had a 12-20-32 line in 51 games with the Gamblers last season. That followed a standout season for the Paradise, Newfoundland, native with Selects Academy, producing a combined 70 points in 54 games. Draft Prospects Hockey scouting service recently wrote:

Greene is a skilled, creative centre who plays a smart fast-paced game. He is an outstanding skater, able to stop and turn on a dime and possessing strong edge work. He always plays with his head up, reading the defense, and is quick to pick apart the opposition. He has silky hands that can get him past defenders in one-on-one situations and create chances for himself and for teammates. His vision is amazing allowing him to thread the puck in tight spots with a soft pass. Greene also has a quick release on his shot and is smart defensively.

● Saltwire.com A Gambler poised to become a Terrier

● Elite Prospects Page

 

Travis Roy Foundation

 

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