Wednesday, April 30, 2025

UPDATED: U18 Medal Round begins for Boumedienne and BU recruits; Hutson to US National Team; Sullivan leaves Penguins

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With the IIHF World U18 Championships about to begin the medal round, BU’s Sascha Boumedienne is the tournament’s second leading scorer with 12 points (1-11-12). He began the tournament with a six-point game against Switzerland and had six more points in the next three games. His 12 points are seven more than any other blueliner in the tournament. In Sweden’s 6-3 loss to the U.S., Boumedienne leveled future teammate Jack Murtagh with an open ice hit.         
● IIHF.com Boumedienne born to play  

In the quarterfinal round that begins on Wednesday, Sweden plays Finland, while the U.S. faces Latvia. The Team USA game will air on NHL Network at 8 p.m. ET.
Team USA was undefeated in the preliminary round. 2025 recruit Jack Murtagh has a 1-3-4 line, while Charlie Trethewey has one assist.

“He has a powerful shot. He can really sling it. That’s legs, that’s core, that’s upper body. He puts his entire body into his shot,” NTDP U18 Coach Greg Moore said. “He’s a powerful skater. He can separate himself in wide ice, he can get to the net. There’s a lot there.”
 
He’s more than just his strength, skating and shot, too, according to Moore.
“I think he thinks off of the puck really well offensively,” Moore said. “He can play give-and-go hockey, which I don’t think a lot of people recognize in his game. It’s subtle but it’s there and it’s a really important piece to project as a strong NHL prospect.”

● NHL.com Trethewey journey to 2025 NHL Draft has been family affair
https://www.nhl.com/news/charlie-trethewey-path-to-2025-nhl-draft-has-been-family-affair


                                Photo credit Matt Woolverton

► Following a standout freshman season, Cole Hutson has been added to the roster of the U.S. National Team that will compete in the IIHF World Championships in Denmark and Sweden beginning May 9. He joins Clayton Keller and Alex Vlasic as Terriers on the U.S. roster.

Cole matched brother Lane's 48-point freshman season and also earned First-Team All-American and National Rookie of the Year honors. At the World Juniors, he became the first defenseman to lead all scorers, while helping Team USA win the gold medal. A comprehensive (but not complete) list of the honors Cole has received this season at near the bottom of his Elite Prospects Page. 

Looking ahead
 
2026 recruit Tynan Lawrence scored his sixth playoff goal as Muskegon defeated Dubuque, 3-1, to clinch the USHL’s Eastern Conference title. They’ll play the winner of the Lincoln-Waterloo Western Conference final for the Clark Cup. Lawrence, with a 6-7-13 scoring line, leads all playoff scorers.
 
On Monday Lawrence, who had a regular season line of 29-29-54 in 56 games was named a USHL First-Team All-Rookie. Lawrence earned the honor as a 16 year old, just as Boumedienne did a year ago and Macklin Celebrini did two seasons ago.
 
Looking back
 
Former Terrier captain Mike Sullivan and the Pittsburgh Penguins have parted ways after he spent a decade behind the Pens’ bench leading them to two Stanley Cups. He leaves the Penguins as the team's all-time winningest coach with 409 regular-season victories.
 
Internet rumors indicate he’s already been contacted regarding several NHL coaching openings. In addition to his years in Pittsburgh, Sullivan was the Bruins’ head coach in 2003-04 and 2005-06. He later was an assistant coach for four years with the New York Rangers, who had drafted him in 1987.

Brady Tkachuk scored his third playoff goal and assisted on two others as Ottawa staved off elimination with a 4-0 win over Toronto.

Jake Oettinger stopped 26 of 28 shots in the Stars’ 6-2 win over Colorado. Dallas has a 3-2 lead in the opening-round series.

Lane Hutson set up a goal that tied the Caps-Canadians’ game at 2-2, but Washington scored the final three goals for a 5-2 win to take a 3-1 series lead. He leads Montreal with five points, all assists. 

  

Drew Commesso stopped all 25 shots in Rockford’s 5-0  win over Chicago, including this one:   

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Thursday, April 24, 2025

UPDATED: Sascha shines at World U18s; A recruit for 2026; Wither Willander? A visit to Nashville

2025 IIHF World U18 Championships ...     

Rising sophomore Sascha Boumedienne's robust offensive output--a goal and three assists--helped Sweden begin the IIHF World U18 Championships in Frisco, Tex., with a 10-3 rout of Switzerland. Boumedienne, who was the second youngest player in Division 1 this season, assisted on tournament-favorite Sweden's opening goal and then blasted a shot from center point in the second period for what proved to be the game-winner.      

Boumedienne assisted on two more goals in the final period. 

UPDATE: Chris Peters tweeted this morning: "After some late official scoring changes from the IIHF. Sascha Boumedienne (2025) is now credited with SIX points against Sweden, one off the record for points in a single game at the U18 Men's World Championship."

After the game, he spoke with FloHockey.tv's Chris Peters about the growth of his game this season, what he learned from Tom Willander and where he thinks Willander will be playing next season.  

   

In NHL Central Scouting's final draft rankings, the left-shot defenseman was ranked #18 among North American skaters and numerous other rankings project him to be a late first-round pick in June. A strong performance in the U18s, on top of the marked improvements he made in the second half of the season, could move him up to mid-first-round.  

Coach Jay Pandolfo recently spoke with The Athletic about Boumedienne's development:

“He’s pushing more guys off the puck than he was in the first half,” Pandolfo said. He’s separating guys from the puck more. He’s getting stronger around our net.”

With the added strength came added offense as well. Pandolfo said he expects Boumedienne’s offensive role to continue to grow at BU, too.

Team USA won its opening game, as well, a comeback 4-2 victory over Czechia. 2025 recruits Jack Murtagh and Charlie Trethewey both had strong games for the U.S.  With the US leading 3-2 and the Czechia pushing for an equalizer with an extra skater, Murtagh made a key clear leading to a clinching empty-netter. Peters noted that "Charlie Trethewey had some impressive moments in the period showcasing his mobility and physical strength."

Update  What's the lastest on Tom Willander? His contract talks with Vancouver are bogged down and he's gone back to Sweden to play for the National Team that will co-host and compete in the IIHF World Championships. Today, he's skating on the top defensive pair in an exhibition game against Finland.

● VancouverCanucksDaily.com Update

Looking ahead

NTDP U17s and U18s to Take on Five Nations

 Photo credit Rena Laverty, USA Hockey 

CollegePuckNXT and Puck Preps have reported that NTDP U17 forward Jamie Glance has committed to BU for 2026. He's a 5'10" right wing from West Newbury, Mass., whom PuckPreps ranked at 4.5 stars.     

Prior to his selection for the NTDP, Glance was a standout for Mount St. Charles Academy's 15U AAA, producing a 54-58-112 scoring line in 58 games, helping MSC win the 15U National Championship.

Following his selection for the U17 team, New England Hockey Journal wrote:

Beyond the goal scoring, which is an obvious upside to Glance’s résumé – he has focused on his work away from the puck. The ability to battle in all three zones is a non-negotiable now, and Glance understands the importance of a 200-foot game. What’s more, he’s strong. Despite his smaller size at 5-foot-9, 155 pounds, Glance doesn’t get pushed off pucks, and his swift skating skills help him avoid big hits. His moves around the net, though, are highlight worthy.

Prior to NTDP Evaluation Camp, PuckPreps wrote:

A cerebral player in the attacking zone, the Mount St. Charles forward is very deliberate in his shooting decisions from certain areas of the ice to force a rebound in a specific direction or utilizing the bodies in front to elevate his scoring chances. He skates very well and is able to battle through crowded areas, maintaining his balance and composure while being able to finish making his play. He is a good puck mover who shows patience on the puck and can use skill to carve out extra time for himself to make plays. He is a high pressure forechecker and would fit right into the way the NTDP likes to pin defenses in.

Glance joins another U17 skater, defenseman Luke Schairer, in the Terriers' 2026 recruit class along with forwards Tynan Lawrence, Caleb Malhotra and Jay Feldberg and defenseman Haoxi Simon Wang.  

●  Elite Prospects Page 

UPDATE:

With 52 points (27G,25A), 2026 recruit Rian Chudzinski led Dexter-Southfield to the NEPSAC Elite 8 Championship game. 


2025-26 Schedule

According to the head coach of the newest D1 program, Tennessee State University, the Tigers will launch their first season on October 4, hosting the Terriers in Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators.   TSU will be the first HBCU institution with a D1 hockey program. BU has not yet announced its 2025-26 schedule.

In an interview with Roland Martin, Coach Duante Abercrombie revealed that the Tigers' first opponent will be the Terriers, noting that BU alumni includes the first black general manager in the NHL, Mike Grier, a 1995 All-American, and Jordan Greenway, the first black skater to participate in the Olympic Games, as well as the first black college hockey player, Lloyd Robinson.

Robinson (BU bio) played three seasons as a Terrier beginning in 1947-48 and was a teammate of Jack Kelley and Jack Garrity on BU's first Frozen Four team in 1950.

Looking back

NHL insider confirms the fate of New ... 

Photo credit NY Rangers Insider

1998 Hobey Baker Award winner and two-time All-American Chris Drury has signed a multi-year contract to continue as President and general manager of the New York Rangers.

As a Terrier, Drury played in three Frozen Fours, including the 1995 national championship team. He's the program's all-time goals leader with 113 and is third all-time in points with 214. In 1998-99, Drury became the first Terrier to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Two seasons later he won the Stanley Cup with Colorado.

In 12 NHL seasons, Drury scored 255 goals and recorded 360 assists for a 615 point total.

● NHL.com Chris Drury Agrees to Multi-Year Contract Extension


 

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Monday, April 21, 2025

More pro debuts; Cole Hutson to return; Willander returns to Sweden; Pridham powers Kitchener

 Philadelphia Flyer Devin Kaplan is the 100th Terrier to play in the NHL.  

Junior assistant captain Devin Kaplan, who signed a three-year entry level contract with the Flyers, made his NHL debut on Thursday, skating 12:12 in ice time in 16 shifts. Before the puck dropped, the 100th Terrier to reach the NHL took his solo skate. Philadelphia dropped a 5-4 decision to Buffalo.  

● Flyers sign Devlin Kaplan to Entry-Level Contract 

Co-captain Shane Lachance, who signed a two-year entry deal with the Devils last week, found the scoresheet in his first AHL game with the Utica Comets, appropriately on a tip-in goal.     


Vancouver Canucks' expectations that Tom Willander would sign an ELC and play for its AHL Abbottsford farm team in the playoffs have hit a snag or worse. Reports indicate that the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft has finished his course work at BU and returned to Sweden where he'll join the national team that will play in IIHF World Championships next month. 

The Athletic reported that the major stumbling block in negotiations has been "Schedule A" bonuses that can be added to an entry level contract. 

● Yahoo Sports Canucks Prospect Willander Headed To Sweden To Join National Team Ahead Of The 2025 IIHF World Championship

Senior goalie Matthieu Caron has been signed to an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) by the Florida Everblades, the ECHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.

● FloridaEverblades.com report          

  
Photo credit Matt Woolverton

►The Washington Capitals will have to wait another year for their 2024 Entry Draft second-round draft pick as Cole Hutson announced he'll return to Agganis Way for a second season. Previously named HCI National Rookie of the Year, Hutson also was named Rookie of the Month for April, with Cole Eiserman named as a runner-up.

● NCAA.com Looking back at college hockey's top rookies in 2024-25 (Hutson and  Eiserman) 

● HockeyEastOnline report    

Looking ahead 

On Thursday, 2025 recruit Jack Pridham scored his fourth playoff goal, added an assist and was +3 in Kitchener's 5-2 win against Windsor.  The 6'2" right wing had 27 goals and 27 assists in 48 regular-season games.

Then, on Sunday, Pridham scored twice--the first on a penalty shot--in 4-0 win over Windsor that forces a game seven in their playoff series. 

Looking back

Former two-time All-American Matt Grzelcyk completed his season with a career best 40 points (G, 39A), which led all Penguins defensemen.  

Women's Team        

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