Monday, June 30, 2025

UPDATED Sweden's Vass rounds out BU's D corps; Roster projections; Development camps begin; Fabbro re-ups with Columbus; Coyle traded

 Malte Vass – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect ...                    Photo courtesy of Dan Hickling/Hickling Images.   

As noted in Saturday's post, BU Men's Hockey reposted the Columbus Blue Jackets' post announcing their selection of defenseman Malte Vasse in the third round—#76 overall—of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. We'll now consider his long-rumored commitment to BU to be official and provide some background on the very physical and defensive-minded blueliner.

Vasse, a native of Karstad, Sweden, is a left shot who measured 6'2.5", 195 lbs., at the NHL Combine earlier in June. He is one of five BU D-men—current and future—who were at the Combine and were drafted. 

Playing for Färjestad BK J20, Vass had a 2-9-11 scoring line in 40 games with 53 penalty minutes. He also represented Sweden in international play skating in the Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament, the World Junior A Tournament and the World U18.

Dobber Prospects writes, "Malte Vass is a big, mobile defenseman that flashes the ability to start rushes with his feet. A nasty defender, Vass loves to take his opponents hard into the wall whenever he has the opportunity to, almost to a fault." 

McKeen's Hockey's Felix Robbins says, "I love Vass as a long-term project. Big, mean, and strong. Eager to punish puck carriers skating down his side of the ice. Decent defensive reads that will only get better with reps. Beautiful, long skating strides. Even though his straight-line speed and acceleration need work, he’s got a lot of headroom for growth."

In May, TheHockeyWriters.com wrote: 

 Vass is an extremely reliable and capable of killing plays very effectively. Although he’s not the quickest skater and can improve his speed, he’s very mobile for his 6-foot-2, 183-pound frame. He closes gaps and defends the rush very well, keeping attackers to the outside and displaying an active stick in order to disrupt plays. He’s smart and precise with his timing and with his wingspan is able to knock pucks off sticks and keep players at bay easily. He can get into lanes to sacrifice the body and shows a constant strong and aggressive mindset every time he’s on the ice.

    

With this commitment and the draft results, the Terriers' will have seven drafted defensemen on the 2025-26 roster, as well as four freshmen—Vass, second-round draft picks Carter Amico (#38 Flyers) and Charlie Trethewey (#50 Devils) and Kyle Kim, a 20-year-old right-shot from the NAHL NJ Titans. 
 
The rookies join returnees Cole Hutson, Gavin McCarthy, Sascha Boumedienne and Aiden Celebrini. 


● NHL.com/Bluejackets Instant Analysis: Malte Vass

●TheHockeyWriters.com Draft Profile

BU, with seven players drafted, was second only to Michigan with eight. A total of 76 current or committed NCAA players were selected in the two-day draft. Nineteen of the 76 are from Hockey East schools.

Four Season Roster Projections 

Our friend BurntBoats has updated his roster projections following the draft and recent new commitments. In his post, he wrote:

In totality, it is hard to argue against the past two drafts being the best consecutive drafts in program history. BU may do something previously thought impossible: have 20 draft picks on one roster. Only possible at the place everyone wants to go to develop. 

While it's possible there could be some further tinkering,  here's who will skate out in Scarlet and White next season and beyond. 


 

Development Camps Begin 

In an interview with Devils media, Big Mike oozes a big personalty to go along with his talent. 

If there is one distinguishable trait of Devils goaltending prospect Mikhail Yegorov, it’s his smile.

Whether it’s hiding under his mask on the ice or fully exposed in the locker room, Yegorov sports an ear-to-ear wide grin that rarely leaves his face. He brought his infectious smile, which he said he inherited from his mother, to Newark this week for the Devils’ annual Development Camp.

Yegorov is joined at Devils' camp by Conrad Fondrk and Shane Lachance, whom The Hockey Writers' Daniel Amoias posted is "an early standout."  In addition, BU Women's Head Coach Tara Watchorn is in camp as a guest instructor.

The Bruins' development camp roster includes incoming freshman Jonathan Morrello and former Terrier Ty Gallagher. 

Vass is rostered for the Jets' camp which begins Wednesday. 

Trethewey will be at Penguins' camp which begins Thursday. 

Looking back

2018-19 co-captain Dante Fabbro has signed a four-year, $16.5 million contract extension ($4.125 million AAV) through the 2028-29 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. After being acquired from Nashville, who had drafted him in the first round of the 2016 draft, Fabbro set new career marks for goals (9) , points (26) and plus/minus (+20).

“Dante was a great addition to our team last season and keeping him in Columbus was a priority,” said GM Don Waddell. “He is a smart, versatile defenseman who moves the puck very well and can play in all situations."  

Forward Jack Hughes, a second-round pick by the Kings in 2022, has signed an entry-level contract with Los Angeles following a strong second semester and playing a key role in BU's post-season drive to the national championship game. He was named to the All-Tournament team at the Toledo Regional.

Hughes produced 25 points in 40 games last season and had 19 points as a junior after transferring from Northeastern.

Charlie Coyle, whom the Bruins traded to Colorado at the trade deadline, is on the move again. He's been dealt to Columbus, along with former Eagle Miles Wood, for draft picks.

● NHL.com Coyle, Wood traded to Blue Jackets by Avalanche 

Women's Team

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