Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Commesso added to US roster for IIHF Worlds; Scarlet & White Honors announced; Portal News

 

►Drew Commesso will join Team USA for the IIHF Men's World Championships in Finland and Latvia, beginning May. He'll join Luke Tuch and Nick Bonino on the U.S. squad, which will be led by former BU head coach and current San Jose head coach David Quinn.  

The 6'3" netminder from Norwell, Mass., had previously represented the U.S. at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2022 World Junior Championships.

A Chicago Blackhawks' second-round pick in the 2020 draft, he signed a three-year entry level contract with Chicago following the Frozen Four. Commesso had been named National Goaltender of the Month for March after leading BU to the title at the NCAA Manchester Regional, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. 

WTBU Sports' Gracie Davenport spoke with Commesso about the path that brought him to BU, the past season and turning pro with the Blackhawks.

One reason for the team’s success was the complete culture shift put forth by the Terriers’ new coaching staff — led by first-year head coach Jay Pandolfo.

“Everyone really bought in, and our head coach Jay Pandolfo honestly couldn’t have done a better job,” Commesso said. “He’s probably the best coach I’ve ever had in my life, and I thank him for making leaving so hard.”

● WTBU Sports Drew Commesso: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

● NBCSports/Chicago Blackhawks' Commesso to join Team USA


►Men's and women's hockey players were among the winners at the Scarlet & White Honors event.

 

► Sophomore forward Tristan Amonte has entered the transfer portal. He skated in 18 games this past season and is the seventh Terrier to enter the portal. 

Looking ahead

2023 recruit Tom Willander's performance at the World 18U tournament continues to boost his stock as the NHL Entry Draft approaches. The Athletic's Cory Pronman has jumped him up to #15 overall in his latest projections (subscription):

15. Tom Willander, D, Rogle Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)

Feb. 9, 2005 | 6′ 1.25″ | 180 pounds | Shoots right

March 2023 Ranking: Not Rated

Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Mike Matheson

Background: Willander was a key player for Rogle’s U20 team, which won the J20 title in Sweden this season. He also progressed with Sweden’s U18 team as the season went along and became one of their best players. He was one of the top defensemen at the U18 worlds, including a 31-minute performance in the gold medal game. He’s one of the rare breed of Swedes who committed to college at 17 years of age, as he is going to Boston University.

Analysis: Willander’s skating is his main asset for the NHL; he is one of the best skaters in the draft. He has a quick, powerful skating stride and can push the pace up ice with the puck. Willander’s skating allows him to close on checks well and be a quality defender especially when combined with the fact he has some physicality in his game. I wasn’t always sold on his offensive touch. I don’t see a big-time playmaker as a pro, but Willander has good enough skill and vision to move pucks at higher levels well, especially given the space his feet can generate. He has the making of a good two-way top four defenseman.

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2023 recruit Celebrini, who led Team Canada in scoring at the World 18U Championships,  led the USHL in scoring with a 46-40-86 line. He was named the USHL Forward of the Week on four occasions, and his point and goal totals this year are the most ever by a U17 player in a single USHL season.

2024 recruit Kai Janviriya was selected by Lincoln in the first round of the Phase 2 USHL draft. The defenseman from Bloomfield, Mich., had a 6-14-20 line in 54 games with the NTDP U18s this season

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