Friday, August 18, 2023

Blueline reinforcements; Uniform numbers; Hynes to Rhode Island HHOF

Graphic welcoming former Muskegon Lumberjacks defenseman and Clarence Center, NY native Gavin McCarthy to Terrier Town. Includes photo of Gavin skating for Muskegon. Graphic welcoming former Rögle BK defenseman and Stockholm, Sweden native Tom Willander to Terrier Town. Includes photo of Tom skating for Rögle BK.

The Terriers concluded their newcomer introductions with a pair of ready-for-primetime defensemen. Sweden’s Tom Willander was drafted at #11 overall by Vancouver and Muskegon’s Gavin McCarthy was a 3rd round pick by his hometown Buffalo Sabres.

Willander, a 6'1" right-shot who played for Rögle BK, shot up the draft rankings following standout performances at three international events: the World Junior 19U Challenge, Five Nations and the IIHF World U18 championships, where he helped lead Sweden to the silver medal. Willander had 25 points (4G,21A) in 39 games for Rögle’s J20 squad.

He earned all-tournament honors at the 19U challenge (2-2-4 in six game) and had a 3-5-8 line at the World U18 tournament.

Elite Prospects Draft Profile:

Willander’s value stems from the combination of high-end skating and motor. He’s always engaged defensively, using his dynamic posture and evasive footwork to guide attackers away from the middle and break up plays along the boards. When you add the fact that he’s both strong and skilled physically and relentlessly competes for every puck – he’s a nightmare to play against. Even if you start or manage to gain an advantage, Willander has the quickness to recover most of the time. 


 

● SportsNet.ca Willander's rise from 'B' prospect to early draft pick

●  Willander 2023 IIHF U18 highlights

McCarthy, a 6’1” 185 lb., right-shot defenseman, had 27 points in 42 games--including a team high for d-men eight goals--in his second season with the Lumberjacks. He missed 20 games after suffering a patella injury in the World 19U Challenge, but returned for a strong finish to the season. Last summer, he suited up for Team USA in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the previous summer he played in the Five Nations with the U.S. Select U17s.

 

Elite Prospects draft profile:

Gavin McCarthy is part-robust defender, part-clever creator. He throws crushing hits, wins inside positioning, and eliminates off-puck threats. When the puck arrives, his advantage-creating skills take over. He fakes out incoming forecheckers before hitting both long-range darts and slick short-range plays around opponents. There’s also plenty of flash to McCarthy’s puck game. An angle changing wrister and a non-stop activation game make him a constant threat.

● NHL.com McCarthy begins new chapter with hometown team  


►Also announced were uniform numbers for the 13 newcomers as well as a new number for the new Terrier captain. Case McCarthy gave the #2 he wore for four seasons to brother Gavin. He’ll now wear #7, last worn by Alex Vlasic.

 Gavin McCarthy - #2 Tom Willander - #5 Case McCarthy - #7 Jack Harvey - #12 Mick Frechette - #14 Shane Lachance - #18 Aiden Celebrini - #22 #GoBU | @TerrierHockey  Doug Grimes - #23 Jack Gorton - #26 Jack Hughes - #27 Nick Howard - #29 Henry Graham - #30 Mathieu Caron - #62 Macklin Celebrini - #71 #GoBU | @TerrierHockey



 

Looking back

► Congratulations to Daily Free Press/Boston Hockey Blog alum Belle Fraser. Following a summer internship in the New York Post sports department, she has a new gig with Forever Blueshirts, a site for New York Rangers fans. One of her first pieces, on college free agents, includes Jay O'Brien, Robert Mastrosimone and Jake Wise.

►Philadelphia forward Joel Farabee, who is healthy entering his fifth NHL season after having disk replacement surgery a year ago, spoke with NHL.com about his off-season training and taking a leadership role for the Flyers.

● NHL.com Q&A with Joel Farabee

►Nashville Head Coach John Hynes is among the inductees to Rhode Island’s Hockey Hall of Fame on Saturday. A member of BU’s 1995 national champions, Hynes went into coaching when an injury cut his career short. He’s one of three Terrier head coaches in the NHL along with San Jose’s David Quinn, who also in Rhode Islands’ HHOF, and Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan.

Blog contributor and New York Times automotive writer Neal Boudette wrote, a year ago, about the biggest names in Rhode Island hockey for USA Hockey Magazine.

►Former Terrier Jake Wise signs a one-year contract with AHL Charlotte, joining Wilmer Skoog who inked a contract with the Checkers following the end of last season.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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