Two of the incoming freshmen announced by BU this week, forward Doug Grimes and defenseman Mick Frechette—both big, physical players—have something else in common in their path to Commonwealth Avenue. Both played at Dexter Southfield prep school for former Terrier Dan Donato, but their time at Dexter didn’t overlap. Frechette played at St. Paul’s Prep as a freshman and sophomore, while Grimes left for the USHL following his sophomore year.
Frechette, a 6’2”, 205 lb., left-shot from Weston, Mass., had been a forward until his first year at SPP. He told New England Hockey Journal:
“The strengths of my game are my physicality and offensive instincts.” Playing forward kind of gave me that so it’s been helpful. I play really physical, I’m hard to play against and I move pucks up quick and follow them up the ice."
NEHJ’s Jeff Cox wrote:
"It’s impossible not to notice Frechette on the ice. A leader for Dexter, the puck is either always on his stick or he’s battling to regain control of it. His compete level is one of the highest I’ve seen in prep hockey this year.”
Frechette served as Dexter’s captain last season and was second leading scorer with an 11-14-25 line in 32 games. Donato adds that he has a “super competitive attitude” and has been an “incredible mentor to all the younger players.”
Brookline, Mass., native Grimes is a 6’3”, 205 lb., right wing who blossomed as a scorer for USHL Lincoln last season with 49 points (24G,25A) in 49 games and another nine points in eight playoff games.
tw-align-centerDoug Grimes made the overtime heroics possible with his FIFTH goal in the last three games with 1.3 seconds left in regulation. #AllAboard🚂 pic.twitter.com/OM1VIKO2KI
— Lincoln Stars (@LincolnStars) April 15, 2023
His Coach, Rocky Russo, says "Grimes competes hard and was big part of our success this year in all situations. He was obviously a top line point producer. He did great things on the power play. He defended in tough situations… with the penalty kill." Noting Grimes’ effectiveness below the dots, Russo added, “He’s a physical big body who protects pucks well, is patient in the offensive zone and extends possessions. Doug can be effective and help a team win in a lot of different roles.”
Donato was a defenseman on three Terrier NCAA tournament squads including the 1994 national finalist team. Also a talented baseball player, he played several years in the Yankees and Rays minor league systems before moving into coaching. He was head coach at the Salisbury School and in 2006 assumed the same position at Dexter Southfield.
Montreal Connections
Another pair of newcomers, announced on GoTerriers.com this week are sons of Montreal Canadians executive. Jack Gorton’s father, Jeff, is executive vice president, and Jack Hughes’ father, Kent, is the Habs' general manager. Two returning Terriers, Lane Hutson and Luke Tuch, are Montreal draft picks. And Canada’s greatest female player, BU standout Marie Philip-Poulin is a player development consult for the Canadians.
Jack Pridham, the son of Toronto assistant general manager Brandon Pridham is committed to BU for 2024-25 and will play at BCHL West Kelowna this season.
Hockey East Play of the Year
tw-align-center#HEPlaysOfTheYear Men's CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
— Hockey East (@hockey_east) August 9, 2023
Lane Hutson & @TerrierHockey #WhereChampionsPlay x #GoBU pic.twitter.com/tbgAWYEF80
Over several weeks of online fan voting, the Hockey East Men's Hockey Play of the Year proved to be final tally of 2022-23 conference play: Lane Hutson's overtime game-winner, assisted by Matt Brown, that made BU Hockey East champions for the 10th time. In the final round, Hutson's tally beat a point blank save by NU's Devon Levi, robbing Wilmer Skoog, 63% to 37%.
HockeyEast posted a video with all top goal-scoring plays in conference action last season.
BUHockeyStats tweeted that the video included 10 Terrier tallies: four from Lane Hutson, two each from Dom Fensore and Skoog (more on him below) and one each from Nick Zabaneh and Quinn Hutson.
FloHockey.tv's Chris Peters offered reviews of the forwards and the defense & goalies who played in the recent World Junior Summer Showcase including a pair of Terriers, Hutson and forward Devin Kaplan:
Lane Hutson, LHD, Boston University (MTL): Team USA’s No. 1 defenseman with a bullet, Hutson is probably going to have to play substantial minutes, run USA’s top power play unit and play in a lot of key offensive situations. His puck skills are off the charts and while he lacks size, he doesn’t lack a willingness to defend and get in the way. The puck on is stick is always a threat to the opposing team.
Devin Kaplan, RW, Boston University (PHI): Kaplan is right on the bubble for this roster. Team USA probably wants to be heavier on 19-year-olds, but they also need guys with some size that can play a heavy game. I think he’s got a real chance to fight for one of the fourth-line spots on this team. His hand skills are there, but he still needs to finish plays better to really put himself in position. A strong first half will give him a chance because he has that size the U.S. appears to want at the bottom of its lineup.
Looking ahead
Following last week's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup tournament, McKeen's assessed the event's top performers, including 2024 or 2025 recruit Will Zellers, who had a 5-2-7 line in five tournament games:
After Trevor Connelly, it was Zellers who looked to create the most chances for Team USA. He created most of his chances himself by working himself into the middle of the ice for a better scoring opportunity. He’s got the quick edges needed for a smaller forward to escape pressure in small spaces. I also liked his defensive hustle and awareness in his own end.
Looking back
Keller and McAvoy combined for OT game-winner in 2017 NCAA regional vs. North Dakota
The Hockey News published an opinion piece ranking the top 10 NHL players who came from the NCAA ranks over the past decade. The list included three Terriers: #2 Jack Eichel, #5 Charlie McAvoy and #6 Clayton Keller. Jake Oettinger and Brady Tkachuk earned honorable mention.
●The Hockey News report
Skoog, who was signed by Florida to a one-year AHL contract, participated in the Panthers development camp, earning strong reviews.
- Wilmer Skoog exuded confidence throughout the scrimmage, starting off the scoring with a one-timer. He came back on his next shift hungry for more, pulling a Michigan attempt off before being met with a solid save by Tyler Muzelik. The 6-foot-2 center out of Boston University is an aggressive forechecker who found success at the college level last year, hitting the 30-point mark in each of his past two seasons, and has the chance to continue it with the Charlotte Checkers next season.
tw-align-center#HEPlaysOfTheYear Men's Bracket Round 2 Matchup 3
— Hockey East (@hockey_east) August 5, 2023
Wilmer Skoog & @TerrierHockey 🥍#WhereChampionsPlay x #GoBU pic.twitter.com/9VexSbMqTH
Skoog, who scored 31 goals over the past two BU seasons—including three lacrosse goals—, will head to Panthers Rookie Camp in September.
● FloridaHockeyNow report
► Happy Birthday, Ken Kuzyk,four seasons (1972 to 1976) 87 carer points ,
Women's Team
BU Assistant Coach Abby Ostrom has been named Women's Head Coach at D3 Suffolk University. She had been on recently retired Head Coach Brian Durocher's staff since 2019.
Former BU All-American and NHLer Shawn McEachern was named to head Suffolk's mens team last summer.
● USCHO report
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