Q&A With John McCarthy

Senior center John McCarthy, who wears the "C" as co-captain of the 2008-09 Terriers, brings a history of leadership, intelligence and tenacity to BU. He's a top penalty-killer and faceoff guy who anchors the Terrier's checking. A 2006 draft choice of the San Jose Sharks and a two-time member of the Hockey East All Academic team, McCarthy recently participated in the fourth and final installment of our preseason player Q&A interviews.

Q—Last season, leadership was in flux when the initial captain was suspended. How have Matt Gilroy and you, along with the "A" Brian Strait, taken steps to make certain leadership within the team is a year-long strength?
A—Matt, Brian, and I have tried to stress the fact that we need more leaders on our team, especially among the upperclassmen. We are trying to emphasize the fact that just because you don't have a letter on your jersey does not mean you are not responsible for doing the right thing and making sure everyone else is doing the right thing.

Q—How important is that on a team with 10 freshman and 5 sophomores, making the team about 60% underclassmen?
A—As I said, even the younger guys that would not usually be depended on to be leaders have to step up and fulfill that role because we are in such a unique position of having the majority of our team be freshmen and sophomores.

Q—You usually get the first call at forward when the Terriers are down two men. What are the keys for a successful penalty kill in that circumstance?
A—We work on those situations a lot in practice and it is really about outworking the power play, blocking shots, and making sure you are forcing the power play to take low percentage shots. Also, when the opportunity presents itself, it is important to take short shifts to make sure the penalty kill has energy.

Q—BU had one of the league's top power plays last season, but struggled on the penalty kill. What must the PK units do better this season?
A—I think we just need to get back to the mentality of outworking the power play. We need to worry a little bit less about the "x's and o's" and a little bit more about beating the power play.

Q—In his Coach's Mailbag interview, Jack Parker talking about taking "a new approach" to avoid the slow starts of recent season? Can you tell us what that will entail? What areas will get more emphasis as BU prepares for the IceBreaker to begin the season?
A—We have changed a few things up this preseason and I think it will benefit us when the season starts. We have been having half team scrimmages with referees and I feel that will help to adjust to the game speed that we play at during the season. Also, we have increased our conditioning with morning runs which should also help us have a smoother transition into the season.

Q—Your line was more productive on offense last year than the previous season. With potentially more offensive skill available this year, and potentially as your wings, do you see your role changing? What is that role?
A—I plan on doing whatever I can to help my team win. I think once things get sorted out and guys start to recognize their roles, that is when our team really starts to develop and we can become successful. I need to make sure that I recognize my role on the team early in the season and do my best to fulfill that role and hopefully help to make my team better.

Q—You joined Nick Bonino at San Jose Sharks development camp this past summer. What did that experience do for you?
A—I thought it was a great experience just to see the guys that played in the NHL and what they do on a day-to-day basis to get themselves in the position that they are in. It was definitely a learning experience that I felt helped me become a better player.

Q—What are your individual and team goals for the upcoming season?
A— My goal is to set a good example for all of the younger guys as far as what we need to do to win games. I think we need to play better in the early part of the season instead of waiting until Christmas to play our best hockey. Hopefully we can win a lot of games and make a long run into the postseason.

Q—Which of your teammates will surprise Terrier fans this season?
A—I think Chris Connelly will have a big year for us. He works very hard and seems to recognize what he needs to do to help the team win.

Q—What was the best moment of your first three seasons at BU?Winning my first Beanpot my freshman year was a lot of fun.

Q—You were a standout quarterback at St. John's Prep prior to your USHL year and then entering BU. How much do you miss football?
A—I do miss football in the fall when I watch it on TV, but I definitely don't miss the practices.

Looking back, looking forward

Fourth-year pro Chris Bourque, trying to earn a spot on the Washington Caps, has been wielding a hot stick. He scored a goal and an assist against the Bruins in an exhibition game in Boston on Saturday. It was his second consecutive two-point effort in the preseason. Thursday, in the Caps 5-2 win over Carolina, Bourque earned first-star honors with a goal and an assist. In that game, ex-Terrier Dan Lacouture scored for the Hurricanes.

The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned Brian McGuirk to their Syracuse Crunch AHL affiliate.

Adrian Aucoin spent just one season as a Terrier before beginning a long NHL career. Aucoin was part of the freshman class (Steve Thornton, Mike Prendergast, Rich Brennan, Kaj Linna, Derek Herlofsky, J.P. McKersie) that won an NCAA title as seniors. Following standout years with the Canucks and Islanders and some down years in Chicago, Aucoin, who rebounded with Calgary last year, discussed the upcoming season with The Calgary Herald.

2009 recruit Max Nicastro, who's been putting up points in pre-season for the Chicago Steel, scored a pair of even-strength goals in the Steel's 4-1 win over Indiana in the USHL Festival yesterday. His victim: Brett Bennett. Nicastro, a third-round Redwings draft choice this past June, had 6-14-20 in his first USHL season

Friday brought the sad news of the death of screen icon, activist, philanthropist and auto racing enthusiast/team owner Paul Newman. Within his remarkable roster of movie credits, Newman’s portrayal of player-coach Reg Dunlop in “Slapshot” remains a favorite of hockey fans. In an April 2007 post, we reported that Terrier captain and All-American Steve Stirling was an extra in the film and Newman would often join the extras between takes for a game of shinny. In several of the obituaries, it was pointed out that Newman claimed his success came less from natural talent than from hard work, luck and the tenacity of a terrier.

Monday is Hockey East Media Day when the league coaches' poll will be announced. Also expected from BU this week are a season preview for the Terriers, a summary of the 10-man freshman class, a full television schedule and other news features. Hockey East has also announced a two-year television contract with ESNPU. This season's eight-game ESPNU schedule includes two BU games: Oct. 19 at UNH and Dec. 6 at Boston College.

While the men's team's exhibition game with University of New Brunswick is a week away, Brian Durocher's women's team won its exhibition game with Dawson today in overtime, 5-4. Recap.

Thornton takes the reins in Belfast

The list of Jack Parker-coached Terriers who’ve made their mark in coaching is a lengthy one that includes, to name just a few, Terry Meagher (Bowdoin), Bill O’Neill (Salem State), Joe Sacco (AHL Lake Erie), Mike Sullivan (Bruins), Shawn McEachern (UMass Lowell) and Brian Durocher (BU-Women), and it continues to grow. Add Steve Thornton to the ledger.

MVP of BU’s 1995 National Championship team, Thornton refuses to take off the skates and pads. Last April, he returned the Belfast Giants of the British Elite League as Player-Coach after 13 seasons in pro leagues in the U.K., Germany, Austria, Britain, and Switzerland. And, at age 35, Thornton also will be seeking a spot on the British National Team for the World Championships. Coach Thornton’s defense corps is led by Shane Johnson, another member of the ’95 champs who has played for British teams since completing his four years on Babcock Street and one with the Canadian National Team. Steve's comments about Johnson:

“With Shane, I am getting a proven winner. I won a National Championship with him as a teammate in University and the playoff Title with him in Belfast. Teams hate playing against Shane and that is probably the biggest compliment I can pay him. He is a player that every team would want on their team and a player that every opposing forward hates to play against.”

The Giants' roster has a decidedly Hockey East flavor. Besides the two ex-Terriers, former Maine sniper Colin Shields is doing double duty as a forward and team blogger. And UML coach Blaise MacDonald, a BU assistant on the '95 title team, has directed a pair of River Hawks, Bobby Robins and Andrew Martin, to the Giants to continue their pro careers. Thornton's Giants have won five of his first six games behind the bench.

Terriers are 10th in preseason poll

The first national preseason poll is out and the Terriers are ranked 10th. The USA TODAY/USA Men’s Hockey poll placed three Hockey East teams in the top ten (BC #1, UNH #7). The Terriers 2008-2009 schedule includes games with five of top 12 ranked teams and a possible sixth if BU faces the host team in the Denver Cup.

2009 recruit Max Nicastro (photo), playing his second USHL season, is the Chicago Steel’s top scorer after three exhibition games with 2 goals and a pair of assists. The right-shot defenseman from Thousand Oaks, Calif., was a third-round choice of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 NHL entry draft. The Steel begin play in the USHL Fall Classic on Thursday, however the team’s preseason highlight may have come ten days ago when the Steel faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks alumni in a charity game, which the junior club won, 11-4. Suiting up for the alums were Troy Murray, Grant Mulvey, Tim Kerr, and Steve Poapst, the current Steel head coach. One of two player-coaches for the alums was former Terrier captain, All-American defenseman, 1978 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and 1980 Olympic gold medalist Jack O’Callahan who went on to patrol the blueline in the Windy City for five seasons.

John Curry got the start for the Penguins last night against Tampa Bay and stopped all 15 shots he faced in one period of play. Curry is expected to begin the season at Wilkes Barre-Scranton.

Searching for a link to the '78 national championship game in the Sports Illustrated vault, a treasure trove of (mostly) BU sports video clips was found. The vast majority are Terrier hockey (Beanpots, 2006 HE title, Red Hot Hockey at MSG, etc.) with some hoops and soccer sprinkled in. On the third page, there's a real treat, especially for those who still mourn the demise of Terrier football. On a series of clips, you'll find game highlights of BU's remarkable comeback win in double overtime over Northern Iowa in the 1993 Div. 1AA Football playoffs, continuing the Terriers' then-undefeated season. Enjoy.

Taken far too soon

The BU hockey family suffered two tragic losses this past week with the passing of a pair of unique individuals, accomplished alumni each of whose lives had a far-reaching impact. Both were taken far too soon.

Last Sunday, BU journalism professor, author of numerous hockey books and former Sports Illustrated hockey writer Jack Falla died suddently at age 62. The Boston Globe obituary (check out the wonderful photo of Jack) provides a chronology of his career and illustrates his passion for both journalism and hockey). Numerous articles and blog posts that have appeared this week reveal that his loss is felt deeply among the student body and alumni as well as by his family and friends. Here are links to a few of them by journalists he mentored: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Falla’s books on hockey include a series of essays titled "Home Ice: Reflections on Backyard Rinks and Frozen Ponds" and newly published “Open Ice: Reflections and Confessions of a Hockey Lifer.” A member of The Friends of BU Hockey, he also wrote about Terrier sports for BU”s alumni magazine, Bostonia. A personnel favorite was a profile of Carl Corazzini, captain of the 2000-1 team.

Jack Falla guestbook

A less widely known, but equally beloved figure was Meryl Herman , co-chairman of The Friends of BU Hockey, who died Wednesday after a long illness. Meryl, a Class of 1966 graduate, was a longtime board member of the Friends, an organizer extraordinaire who planned and quarterbacked the annual hockey banquet and was a devoted and kind friend to everyone connected to the BU program, both young and old.

Our colleague cdral, who attended today’s funeral in Newton, reports that a large contingent of current and former BU players and managers were in attendance, as well as members of The Friends. Coach Jack Parker’s eulogy documented her strong commitment to the hockey program and how she been the force behind so many activities that supported BU hockey. Meryl had been voted co-chairman of The Friends with Paul Giandomenico earlier this year.

An online guestbook for condolences and memories is here.

Friday Linkorama

The Chiiliwack B.C. Progress looks back at an eventful year for Terrier incoming freshman goalie Grant Rollheiser. Just 12 months ago, he joined the BCHL Trail Smoke Eaters, getting off to a slow start, but Rollheiser had a breakthrough season that brought a BU scholarship and made him a sixth round draft choice of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette feature updates us on former All-American goalie John Curry who earned All-Rookie honors at AHL Wilkes Barre/Scranton in his first pro season. Curry goes into the season as the number three netminder in the Penguins organization and will be looking for an opportunity to earn some NHL playing time.

The Post-Gazette also reports on the recovery of Ryan Whitney from off-season foot surgery. Whitney, who won’t return to the Pittsburgh lineup until at least mid-November, is in the second year of a six-year contract with the Pens.

Former Terrier defenseman Tom Morrow is back in North America after spending a season with the Hannover Indians in Germany. The 6’ 7” blueliner has joined the Anaheim Ducks’ ECHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Announcing the signing team officials indicated that Morrow would go to the camp of the Ducks’ AHL club, the Iowa Chop (is that a porkchop or like the Braves’ “Tomahawk Chop”?) and may find himself playing at both levels this season.

The Terriers first official practice is set for two weeks from tomorrow, Saturday, October 4, with the exhibition game against the University of New Brunswick the next day, October 5. Captain’s practices, of course, are already underway.

All of BU's regular season and playoff games will again be aired on WWZN-AM 1610 in Boston with Bernie Corbett and Tom Ryan once again handling the play-by-play and color duties. In addition, the Corbett-hosted "All-Access" program, covering all BU sports, will air weekly on WWZN this season with scheduled dates for the first semester listed in an BU athletics news release.

Coach's Mailbag--September 2008

With informal practices under way and the Icebreaker Tournament just a month away, we’ve asked Terriers head coach Jack Parker to answer ten questions about the upcoming season in our first “Coach’s Mailbag” session of the 2009-09 season. Questions were submitted by several blog contributors and other BU fans.

Q—Matt Gilroy's return was welcome, but unexpected return. That suggests you felt the other returning four defensemen and two freshmen on the 08-09 roster were all going to be capable and deserving of regular shifts. Now with seven such defensemen, do you plan to use any kind of rotation to keep them all in the mix, or is someone eventually going to be odd man out? Conversely, being thin on bodies at that position, will you practice forward or two on D for depth?
JP—Actually, if Gilroy had left, we had another right shot defenseman ready to come. Since Matt decided to return, that allowed the other guy [editor’s note: presumably Max Nicastro] to take another year of junior hockey and come in September of 2009 as was the original deal. We have moved forward Steve Smolinsky back to defense for practice purposes.

Q—What type of powerplay set up will you use--an umbrella or the 2-point man system? With so much blueline skill, might it be different for the first and second units?
JP—In all probability, one unit will have a left shot and a right shot at the point and the other unit will utilize two right shot points. Therefore, the units will have two different looks.

Q—With the abundance of offensive talent on the blue line, do you anticipate having Brandon Yip playing forward on the powerplay?
JP—Brandon Yip will be used upfront most of the time on the pp unit unless we lose a defenseman to injury.

Q—David Warsofsky will be the third consecutive USNDTP captain to join the Terriers. To what do you attribute the ability to gain commitments from not just skilled players, but strong leaders?
JP—We have had strong ties to the USNDTP for many years. Also, our guys were Eastern guys to begin with.

Q—With BU having two talented but inexperienced freshman goalies, are you planning to start the season with a rotation or might one of them immediately seize the starting job?
JP—Actually, Adam Kraus is in the mix as well, so the job is wide open. A rotation of two guys will most like be the way we go got the first few months with one guy out of the rotation.

Q— With last season’s improvement on faceoffs and now the addition of another center with strong stick skills, will BU leverage that strength with more planned plays off draws?
JP—We have always had numerous faceoff plays in all three zones. If we continue to win face-offs, the fans might notice the set-ups more often. Hopefully, we will continue to improve in this vital area.

Q—Can you discuss the recent trend of slow starts by BU teams. The last time BU won more than half its first ten games was 2004-05 (7-3). The last exceptional start was in 2001-02 (8-1-1). How do you plan change that trend this season, especially with three strong Western teams visiting BU in October?
JP—Over the years we traditionally have broken the team down and then built them up again. But with the advent of one week of practice and then the games, we need to find a different formula. There is no question that the “slow starts” fall directly on my shoulders. We are trying a new approach we hope will work. But with North Dakota, MSU, UNH and Michigan as four or our first five games, even with a different pre-season, we will have our hands full getting off to a good start. (I did the scheduling also!)

Q—Last season’s team’s home record was just 10-7-1 and over the past two season, BU has won just over half its home games. In a very balanced league, what does it take to re-establish a significant home ice advantage? How much of that comes from a team mindset?
JP—It is all team mindset. We have played better on the road with more quality efforts than we have at home. It’s a trend that also has occurred at Maine and BC. It’s a tough league but obviously we are more focused on the road or we take things for granted at home. Probably a little of both. We are working on it.

Q—In the same vein, last season BU had just three home games in the first two months. This year, starting with the Icebreaker against North Dakota and Michigan State, you have nine home games in October and November. An opportunity or added pressure?
JP—I would rather be home any time during the season despite what was discussed in the previous question. The only time it’s good to be on the road is when the students aren’t here. We should be better off starting out at home.

Q—Which returning player is going to surprise BU fans this season?
JP—If by surprise you mean make the biggest jump production wise, I’d say either Colin Wilson or Nick Bonino. They both had solid freshmen seasons but their upside is so great, they both could become dominant players. However, I am hoping that Chris Higgins, Brandon Yip and/or Jason Lawrence can do what Boomer Ewing did in his senior year.

Werek, cont'd; NHL picks highly rated

Some light is being shed on the reasons for Ethan Werek’s decision to leave his USHL team’s camp to sign with the OHL Kingston Frontenacs. An article in the Kingston Whig Standard contends that at Indiana Ice training camp, “the calibre of the league came into question when Ethan scored so many goals in an intrasquad game that he was asked to hold back,” according to his father. Pardon me for being cynical, but the USHL is recognized as the top U.S. junior league and is well-respected by NHL teams. In fact, an Indiana Ice player, John Carlson, was a first round choice in this past June’s NHL draft. Carlson, who had committed to UMass, has since joined the OHL London Knights.

A Hockey News article presents the more likely reason:

Werek had a change of heart, due almost solely to the fact this is Werek’s NHL draft year.

“That was probably the biggest reason,” said Werek’s agent, Mark Guy. “I think it came down to which was the quickest route to the NHL for him. In the end, he wanted to be somewhere where he could play 68 games and get lots of exposure.”

One NHL scout said Werek is a solid top-10 prospect with the potential to move higher as the season goes along.

Young Werek, who led Stouffville in scoring as a rookie last year, sees himself on the fast-track to the NHL, and rightfully so, given his size (6-2, 195) and skill level. BU fans can take a small amount of solace knowing that had Werek played in the USHL this season, he’d likely have been “one-and-done” at BU.

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Blog contributor srsterrier provided this item about some current Terriers who are NHL draft picks:

"The Hockey News Season Preview includes an updated list of each NHL team's top ten prospects with a one-line comment on each one (disclaimer: I don't know their source for the lists but they normally consult with NHL scouts). Five current Terriers are on their team's list: "

• Kevin Shattenkirk - #1 on Colorado's list of prospects: "Great skater moves the puck well."
• Colby Cohen - #4 on Colorado's list of prospects: "Hits hard and can contribute offensively."
• Colin Wilson - #2 on Nashville's list of prospects: "Power forward already has NHL body."
• Corey Trivino - #4 on NY Islanders' list of prospects: "Crafty playmaker bound for Boston University."
• Brian Strait - #4 on Pittsburgh's list of prospects: "Stay-at-home D-man captained USA at WJC."

srsterrier pointed out that these five comprise 25% of BU’s game lineup.

Werek decommits

BU’s 2009 recruit class when standout forward Ethan Werek agreed to terms with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, according to published reports, forfeiting his NCAA eligibility.

Werek, who had been Kingson’s first round draft choice in 2007, elected to play last season for the Stouffville Spirit, where he teamed with incoming BU freshman Corey Trivino and also earned the OPJHL's Rookie of the Year Award.

Whenever a recruit is a high major junior draft choice, as Trivino was, too, coaches are left holding their breath, worried about an outcome such as this one. We reported in July the announcement that Werek would play this season for the USHL Indiana Ice, a decision that left Terrier fans a bit more confident that Werek, a potential NHL first round draft choice, would eventually arrive at Agganis Arena. But it was not to be.

The reasons for Werek’s change of heart have not yet been reported, however one report we received indicates there was disagreement within his family about which path to pursue.

Werek’s reneging on his commitment leaves BU with no committed forwards in its 2009 class and one forward, South Kent School winger Wade Megan, in the 2010 class.

Looking Back: Where are they now?

If you didn’t catch Fluto Shinzawa’s article in the Boston Globe this past Sunday about former Terrier All-American Mike Grier’s thirst for the Stanley Cup and recovery from off-season surgery, here's another chance to do so. Grier has been working out at WBA.

We have updates on a number of other former Terriers, beginning with Pete MacArthur, last season’s captain, leading scorer, All-New England and a second team All-American, who signed on with the Chicago BlackHawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford Icehogs. Mac, who finished his Terrier career with 147 points (18th all-time at BU), attended the BlackHawks development camp in July, leading to the AHL contract.

Eric Thomassian (photo) has joined the Ontario (CA) Reign, the L.A. King’s ECHL affiliate that relocated from Texas. Thomo, who scored 21 goals for the Deggendorf Fire in Germany, was referred to the Reign by Kevin Schaeffer, whom we reported earlier this summer had received a qualifying offer from the Reading Royals, another King’s affiliate. Schaeffer, who spent part of last season with the Providence Bruins, is awaiting a tryout offer from an AHL team.

Last winter we posted that Bryan Miller, playing for the ECHL Alaska Aces, had earned a spot in the league all-star game when a shoulder injury ended his season. Miller has recovered from surgery and re-upped with the Aces.

Matt Radoslovich is preparing for his second season with the ECHL Trenton Devils following a two-year stint with the Quad City Mallards. His Mallards teammate, the well-traveled Jason Tapp, will be stopping pucks for the IHL Kalamazoo Wings. Tapp spent last year with the Corpus Christi Rayz.

Ken Roche is headed across the pond to play for ES Weilbwasser in Germany. Roche spent most of the past season with the AHL Lake Erie Monsters, coached by Joe Sacco.

Gregg Johnson also will be in Europe this season.. He began last year with the AHL Bridgeport Sounders and finished in the DEL with the Frankfurt Lions, a rival of former Terrier captain and All-American Steve Stirling's Iserhorn Roosters.

Another former BU captain, Mark Mullen, is entering his second season as an assistant coach with the USHL Cedar Rapids Roughriders.

This past summer, Jack Baker and Brad Zancanaro (photo), a pair of tiny terrors in their Terrier days, coached a team of Massachusetts 14s that traveled to Sweden for an international competition. Zancanaro played for Florida (ECHL) last season. His twin brother Tony (ex-PC forward) is a teammate of Radoslovich on the Trenton Devils.

Linkorama—Boomer joins Baby Pens

Bryan Ewing has signed an AHL contract with the Penguins’ farm club in Wilkes Barre-Scranton where he’ll be reunited with ex-Terrier All-American goalie John Curry, last year’s AHL All-Rookie goalie. Ewing enjoyed his best season as a Terrier in 2007-08 with 43 points (and 108 for his career) earning second team RBK All-American and second team Hockey East all-star honors. He also was the Hockey East scoring champion with 35 points.

2009 recruit Ethan Werek, who formed a two-man wrecking crew with incoming freshman Corey Trivino for the Stouffville Spirit last season, made this week’s Hockey News Hot List. Werek will spend his final junior season in the USHL will the Indiana Ice where he’ll find himself battling future teammates Max Nicastro (Chicago Steel) and Sean Escobedo (Tri-City).

During last week’s Little League World Series, won by Hawaii, nhl.com asked Chris Drury to look back at his experience on the mound in Williamport in the 1989 championship game, when he pitched Danbury, Conn., to the title--and the path that led him to a national championship at BU, the Hobey Baker Award, the NHL and The Stanley Cup.

Trivia question: Drury (video) is the only NHL player to win a Little League championship, but two other NHLer played at Williamport in the World Series. And, they played for the same Canadian team. Who were they?

Little Big Man

Whenever incoming freshman defenseman David Warsofsky talks to the media, he knows the question about his size (5-8, 170) will be forthcoming. So, too, are the comparisons with former Wisconsin All-American and Stanley Cup champion with the Devils and Red Wings Brian Rafalski. A Boston Globe feature on the Marshfield native—godson of Mike Sullivan’s parents and fourth round draft choice of the St. Louis Blues—also focuses on the exceptional offensive skills that have led some observers to predict he’ll have the most impact on the 2008-09 Terriers of any member of the recruit class that includes four scholarship forwards. Comments from Blues Assistant General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, independent scout Kyle Woodlief, NTDP U18 Coach John Hynes and Terrier Head Coach Jack Parker point to success at the college level followed by a pro career.

Separately, Hynes told THFBlog:

David was our team captain here last year and led our team to a Bronze Medal in the World U18 Championships. He is a very skilled player and a very coachable player. He is a very good backwards skater and has the ability to close gaps quickly in defensive situations. David has a great head for the game and distributes the puck well on offense. David needs to continue to gain experience at the college level. He has all the tools mentally and physically to be a great player for BU and beyond. The biggest thing he needs is time to develop and continue to work hard with his God-given talent.

Warsofsky, who spoke to NESN and The Patriot Ledger following the draft, is the third consecutive NTDP U18 captain to play for BU, following in the footsteps of fellow defensemen Brian Strait and Kevin Shattenkirk. Prior to spending his senior year in Ann Arbor for the U18s, Warsofsky was USHR’s Defenseman of the Year in 2006-07, putting up a 15-34-49 line in 29 games for Cardinal Cushing. When he committed to BU, U.S. Hockey Report wrote:

Warsofsky is small, but he has excellent mobility, an excellent stick, and he sees the ice uncommonly well. He can thread the needle with his passes – a high number of them are exceptional. He has poise a-plenty. He’s just a fun player to watch.

McKeen’s Vincent Montalbano offered these thoughts on Warsofsky following the draft.
Scouting Notes From 2006-07 Prep Season and Pre-Draft Summer Tournament:

Committed to Boston University for 2008 .. despite lack of size (5-9) he is an extraordinary player with exceptional skill, especially on the powerplay .. a smooth skater with a strong stride .. tremendous vision and really moves the puck up the ice well .. tremendous patience and poise with the puck and hockey sense .. great one-timer with rocket of a shot and accurate, especially on the PP .. has a pro-like shot and may have the best shot for someone his age or even older .. finds open areas on the PP for good shooting lanes .. can be physical if needed and strong along the boards .. logged a ton of icetime .. has the ability to shake checks with his quickness and stick skills and ability to take hits and keep going.

What Other Scouts Are Saying (Central Scouting):

Warsofsky is a small, smart defenseman with quick feet. He has good speed jumping into the play and a big shot from the point. At his size, he needs to take better care of the puck and continue to get stronger, but overall, he comes to play and plays bigger than his size.

Synopsis:

An excellent pick by the Blues and if he was even 5-11, he probably would be a first or second round pick. He is extremely talented and playing at Boston University will really help his development. He tallied 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 48 games last season.

Q&A with Nick Bonino

Sophomore forward Nick Bonino just may have set a BU record by tallying his first career point—assisting on a Boomer Ewing goal— just 17 seconds into his first college shift. He went on to record an impressive 16-13-29 line with the most goals by a Terrier freshman since Jay Pandolfo’s 17 in 1992-93.

Scoring has always come naturally to Bonino. The Farmington, Conn., native led his high school in points, then transferred to Avon Old Farms as a repeat junior and also led that team in scoring (26-30-56). He was the top scorer and co-MVP of 2006 Spring (Scholastic) Hockey Night In Boston and #2 scorer in the 2006 HNIB Major Showcase (14-19-33). As a senior, he captained Avon to the 2007 NEPHISA Div. 1 Championship, again leading the Winged Beavers with 23-43-66, finishing 3rd among all New England preps and earning U.S. Hockey Report’s Prep Forward of the Year award by a comfortable margin. In the 2007 NHL entry draft, he was selected by San Jose in the sixth round. Bonino recently took part in our Q&A interview series.

Q—Freshmen often take a while to adapt to the speed of the college game. Was there a fast or slow learning curve for you?

A— Personally, it was more of a slow learning curve my freshman year. Coming in I knew how fast and strong the older players would be, but I was still surprised when I skated with the team that first time. It was much more physical than anything I had ever played, and it definitely took some time to get used to.

Q—Do you have a most memorable moment of your freshman year?

A— The winning streak at the end of the year really sticks out in my mind as my favorite memory of last year. The Cornell game [at Madison Square Garden] was definitely exciting, and the Beanpot was a fun experience despite the loss, but winning all those games down the stretch brought a different atmosphere to the locker room. Everyone seemed so excited, and we were playing great hockey.

Q. You’ve played center and left wing for BU. Which position do you think is your strongest and where do you feel most comfortable playing? How do you see your role in the team’s offense?

A— I think I'm strongest at center, although I felt like I played well at wing last year during the couple of games I was there. At center, I get to touch the puck more, and I like being able to gather speed while moving, instead of from a stand-still on the wing. As for my role in the team's offense, I believe with the amount of offensive talent this team has it makes my role so much easier. It's much easier to produce points when you are playing with such talented players, including both the forwards and defensemen.

Q—You arrived at BU with a reputation for having great hands, but needing to improve your skating. While the improvement was during the season was evident, do you expect to be able to ratchet it up even more, working with Mike Boyle?

A— I think so. Coach Boyle helps out so much in the off-season, and the amount of guys in the pros that work out with Boyle is a testament to that. So far I believe I've made some good progress, but it will never be enough, and I'll have to keep working at it.

Q—Besides foot-speed, what else are you working hardest to improve?

A-- Mostly everything. I'm working hard to get bigger, stronger, and faster, and that happens in the weight room and on the track. Besides that, I try to work on my shot and my hands as much as possible, either getting open ice somewhere or shooting on goalies at camps in the area.

Q—Most observers cite your stick-handling ability as one of your strengths. Have you had to make any adjustments to your stick-handling to meet D1 competition? Can you do the same things as you did in prep/HNIB?

A— I have had to learn how to better protect the puck at this level, so my stick handling did have to adjust slightly to the college game. I didn't focus on it as much as my skating, however, because my hands seem to adapt quicker than other parts of my game.

Q--You were an early addition to the penalty-killing corps which is somewhatunusual for a freshman. What makes you a solid PK guy?

A-- I think it's my ability to anticipate where the puck will be, and I try to get there before the puck arrives. I was playing alot on the PK with Higgins, and I think it was easier because we both felt comfortable with each other.

Q—After earning co-MVP in the 2006 Spring Hockey Night in Boston event, you became a hotly pursued prospect. What led you to choose BU over Providence and New Hampshire?

A— It was a combination of things. The coaching staff at BU is incredible, and during my freshman year they lived up to their reputation. I remember when I was young I would always watch the Beanpot, and this played a part in my decision. Basically, BU is a great school with a rich hockey tradition, so I felt it was the best choice to make.

Q—Have you patterned your game after a pro or college player?

A— I wouldn't say patterned, but I definitely like to watch the NHL guys and take a few things from their game. I really enjoy watching Joe Thornton and Pavel Datsyuk, as each of them can control a game. You can learn things from really any pro, as well as fellow college players, so it's beneficial to watch the games when they're on TV and take things away from what you see.

Q—You recently attended San Jose Sharks Development Camp along with senior John McCarthy. Tell us about that experience and it will make you a better player.

A— It's a great learning experience for me personally, as the management, coaches, and scouts who run the camp have so much knowledge of the game. It's completely a development camp, and they stress that no one is being judged or rated. Instead, they encourage us to focus on the skills they are teaching, and this makes it much less nerve racking. The skating coach there is great, and I take alot of drills back from camp and work on them when I can.

Q—As an organization, San Jose tends to encourage its NCAA draft picks to develop in college. Have you discussed future plans with management?

A— Not at this point, and personally I don't think I'm ready. I'm very happy where I am, at BU, and I look forward to playing college hockey.

Higgins shifts to wing?

Chris Higgins, a center for nearly all his 117 games as a Terrier, is likely to move to wing this season, due to BU’s depth at center, according to an Inside College Hockey profile of the senior from Lynnfield, Mass. INCH says Coach Jack Parker expects Higgins to be a force on offense this season and suggests 20 goals is a reasonable target. After centering the Terriers’ top line last season, Higgins may find himself on a new top line, playing the offwing with Colin Wilson and his freshman year linemate Brandon Yip. Recognizing the versatile Higgins’ strengths in all three zones, Parker added:

"The average fan notices how exciting and electrifying Chris is on offense, but the fans who understand the subtleties of the game recognize how solid and dependable he is defensively."

Nashville GM David Poile, assessing his top prospects, also points to versatility in sizing up Wilson, his first round draft choice in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

"He's a player that can play in all situations. He has good offensive
instincts and he's shown that. He's a guy that can play defensively and he's shown that. He has good size. He'll be a big, strong center, which is something we have been coveting."

With the Summer Olympics in full swing in Beijing, Sports Illustrated projects who will make the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 2010, including three Terriers: Rick DiPietro, Chris Drury and Ryan Whitney. You might think there’s a fourth on the list , but it’s the “other Chris Higgins.” For now, however, Whitney will be sidelined, recovering from surgery to repair a chronic left foot problem.

The Hockey News is doing a fan poll on college and pro team logos. You can add your vote for Rhett and also check out what Northeastern and Lowell skaters will be sporting this season.

Finally, forty years ago next month, a Terrier made Olympic history, but it was in track and field. David Hemery, a 400-meter hurdler for the U.K., continued a hot streak that began in conference and NCAA meets during his senior year by setting a world record of 48.12 seconds at the Oympics in Mexico CIty. Four year's later in Munich, he won a bronze medal in the same event and a silver in the 4x400-meter relay.

All in the family

Former Terrier goalie and NHL All-Star Rick DiPietro’s close relationship with his father, was the subject of a feature article in Player’s Club, a new magazine launched by former New York Met and Philadelphia Phillie Len Dykstra, that caters to professional athletes and focuses on fiscal responsibility.

Rosters for this summer’s recently concluded Select Hockey Festivals for 14, 15, 16 and 17 year olds, included a number of skaters with connections to BU. Taylor Craig, daughter of former BU All-American goalie and 1980 Olympic gold medal winner Jim Craig, tied for top scorer at the Girls Select 16.

At the Boys’ Select 16, Charlie Coyle, a cousin of Tony Amonte, tied for fifth in points with five goals in five goames, and earned kudos from U.S. Hockey Report. Coyle, who will be a sophomore at Thayer Academy (where Amonte is a coach), also skated with the South Shore Dynamos in the 2008 Chowder Cup. One of his Dynamos teammate was Tom O’Regan, Jr., son of former Terrier captain and Pittsburgh Penguins, Tom O’Regan. Both Coyle and O’Regan, who will play for St. Sebastian’s this season, are playing in the Futures Division of the Summer Beantown Classic, beginning on Monday. The senior O'Regan coaches the South Shore Kings' U18 squad in the Mass Select Midget League.

• Two players at the Boys’ Select 15 have Terrier connections. Defenseman Matthew Caito, representing the Los Angles Selects, is the son of former BU football player Paul Caito and has two aunts who played field hockey at BU. His grandfather, Tom, was a legendary football coach at Chelmsford H.S.

• Forward Cameron Brown, who led the Rivers School in scoring as a freshman and was a Eberhardt Division ISL All-Star, is the younger brother of BU soccer standout Casey Brown. Cameron also plays for the South Shore Kings.

Odds 'n ends

• 2009 recruit Max Nicastro's summer has been a busy one. Besides attend the NHL Entry Draft, being selected in the 3rd round by Detroit (#91 overall), going to dinner with Scotty Bowman and attending Detroit's development camp, the right-shot defenseman participated in NARCh North American Roller Hockey Championships in San Jose as member of the regional champion Las Vegas Tour Rebels. Nicastro begins his second USHL season next month with the Chicago Steel.

• The Hockey News is conducting a fan poll to determine to best college logo in each of the Division I hockey leagues. You can vote here.

• A new addition to our sidebar list of Web sites is "In Ahead of the Play," a compilation of each NHL team's top prospects. Profiles are being developed for each prospect and, thus far, the profiles for both Kevin Shattenkirk and freshman Andrew Glass have been posted. The CSTV Web site is now called CBS College Sports.

Lake Placid wrap up

Both U.S. teams lost their games on Friday at U.S Junior National team camp. In Team White’s 7-3 loss to Sweden, Kevin Shattenkirk (photo) and Vinny Saponari (photo, right) assisted on a powerplay goal by Wisconsin’s Ryan McDonough.

On Saturday, the two U.S. squads rebounded for a pair of wins. In Team White’s 5-2 win over Finland, Saponari scored twice, assisted by Shattenkirk on the first. Shattenkirk also picked up an assist on the first of three goals by UNH forward James Van Riemsdyk, Shattenkirk’s former NTDP U18 teammate.

Team USA’s roster for the World Junior Championships will be named in the late fall. In addition to the four Terriers who impressed at the camp and Colby Cohen, who was sidelined by an ankle injury, incoming freshman Corey Trivino is a candidate for Canda's WJC team. In an NHL.com feature about the Islanders’ youth movement, the assistant general manager discussed his hopes for Corey Trivino.

Taken with one of the Isles' three 2008 second-round picks (No. 36), Trivino had a sensational season with Stouffville of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, totaling 50 assists and 69 points in 39 games. He also had four goals for the Canadian team at the Under -18 World Championships in April. But the 6-1, 170- pound center will take a big step up the competitive ladder this fall when he plays for Boston University.

"We love Corey's skills and speed," Jankowski said. "It's going to be difficult for him going into Boston University next year. … The biggest thing for Corey is he has to get bigger and stronger. He, more than anyone else we drafted, has to add strength. He's got a good frame to grow into. The message we're going to give to Corey is to go there and be a sponge. Develop your game but bring the offense you have and be confident in your own abilities."

Looking back

Steve Stirling, captain of BU's 1971 national championship team and former NY Islanders coach, has become head coach of the Iserbohn Roosters of the German DEL. Stirling's team opened the season with a 9-1 win. On July 25, we reported that Stirling, (photo) who coached the Lightning’s AHL club, Norfolk, last season, had been named an amateur scout for Tampa Bay; he has left the NHL club to return to coaching.

John Lalibete signed on with Odense Bulldogs of the Danish Elite Leagues, as did Maine's Peter Metcalf. Derek Herlofsky played for the Bulldogs from 2001through 2004. NEHJ :

Among them is winger John Laliberte (Saco, Maine/Boston University), who has inked a one-year deal in Denmark with the Odense Bulldogs.

For Laliberte, who has seen AHL time with Worcester and Milwaukee, it all boiled down to opportunity, something he didn’t feel he’d get if he went back to the Admirals.

“It was something I was looking to do,” said Laliberte. “The last couple of years in Milwaukee, I’ve been kind of limited to a third line role, and I’ve been looking to pick it up to a first or second line role. It’s a different way of doing that.”

We also reported recently that former Terrier captain Carl Corazzini had signed with Edmonton’s Springfield Falcons AHL team. In an NEHJ feature, he reflects on his professional career and his changing role.

Summer Ice in Lake Placid

Four Terriers are participating in the U.S. Junior National Team Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid: forwards Colin Wilson and Vinny Saponari and defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and David Warsofsky (photo courtesy USA Hockey). Blueliner Colby Cohen had been invited to camp, but had to skip it due to an ankle he tweaked at Colorado Avalanche development camp. Camp media guide.

In an intrasquad scrimmage, Wilson registered a goal and an assist, and then got the better of a dust-up with Michigan recruit Greg Pateryn (see series of five photos from USCHO’s Melissa Wade, beginning here).

In games against teams from Sweden and Finland, several of the Terriers stood out. Wilson assisted on two Ryan Bourque goals in a 4-1 win against Finland. Warsofsky scored on a one-timer (video, first goal) in a 3-2 loss to Sweden. Warsofsky also scored on an end-to-end rush in a 7-1 win over Finland. NHL.com’s Shawn Roarke, covering the WJC camp, reports that Coach Ron Rolston had used the defensive pairing of Shattenkirk and Wisconsin’s Ryan McDonough as his shut-down pairing in the first two games.

Q&A With Andrew Glass

Freshman left wing Andrew Glass, one of five first-year BU players drafted by NHL teams, was Washington’s 7th round pick in the 2007 entry draft. Last season, as a senior at the Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Mass., Glass recorded a 27-23-50 line in 29 games, fourth best goals total in New England Prep hockey. That performance earned him a spot on the NEPSIHA All New England first team.

The 6’0”- 175 lb. Glass has skated in three national select festivals, played several seasons for the Junior Bruins organization and was named “Best Pro Prospect” at the 2006 Beantown Classic. He recently answered ten questions for the second of our Q&A interviews.

Q—Let's start by looking at your game. We've seen scouting reports that cite your strong skating and puck skills. McKeen's liked your "ability to execute at full-speed." What are your strengths and what can BU fans expect from you?

A—The strongest part of my game is skating. I feel I am more of a playmaker than a scorer, and look forward to bringing that part of my game to the team. This year should be a lot of fun.

Q—What facets of your game are you looking to improve?
A— I'm just focusing on getting stronger for the season. Off-ice workouts
have been great under the supervision of Mr. Boyle. I need to gain some more
weight for the season, and hope I can become an impact college player.

Q—In 2006, you were drafted by the USHL Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets, but elected to remain at Nobles, also playing with the Little Bruins. Tell us about that decision. Were you tempted to switch to the top junior A league in the U.S., as some prep players do?

A—I really had no interest in playing in the USHL. Nobles was a great opportunity for a strong education for the future. The level play, in my opinion, was top-end hockey. We had some great teams, and my coach, Mr. Day, is one of the best coaches in allof the prep league. I do not regret staying at Nobles, I had a great prep school experience.

Q—What do you expect to be biggest challenge in stepping up to the next level?

A—Clearly the speed and strength factors. The college game is fast-paced, everyone can skate and make a play. I'm excited to play this year with some great players, and hope to become an impact freshman.

Q—How was your second Caps development camp experience (video interview)different from last year's and how have attending the camps helped your development?

A—Last year I was real nervous about going into the camp. This year I was still nervous, but more excited. I knew what to anticipate. The level of play was intense and all of the players were extremely skilled. Each game I feel I got better, and used the experience to talk to the coaches and learn what I need to work on to get better. The camp was a perfect way to start off the summer in preparing for this year at BU.

Q—Why BU? What factors prompted your choice?

A—I'm from the Boston area, so I grew up coming to BU games and idolizing guys like Chris Drury. The coaching staff really prompted my choice. They made me feel like I had a real opportunity to have a great college career playing for BU.

Q—Have you patterned you game after Drury or another player?

A—I have always like the way he has played. He is known for his tenacity on the ice, which I consider one of my best traits. He is known for being a clutch performer, scoring goals in key overtime games. He has remained one of the best players in the NHL, and I like to learn from the way he plays the game.

Q— In 2006-07, injuries limited your icetime and production? Did that experience make your standout senior season at Nobles especially satisfying?

A—My junior year was really disappointing. The season was dictated by one injury after another. Over the summer, I rededicated myself to off-ice training and got in the best playing shape I could for the season. Going my whole senior year without getting injured once was extremely satisfying, and I hope to continue my streak of good health throughout college.

Q—You'll probably face BC goalie John Muse, your former Nobles teammate, more than a few times this year. Do you know how to beat him?

A—John Muse is a great kid. After playing with him for three years at Nobles, he is a good friend of mine. I'm just looking forward to playing him on the ice, and if I can get one by him it will definitely be pretty satisfying. He is a great kid, a great goalie, and will be a challenge every time we play BC.

Q—What are your early impressions of your new teammates based on informal skating with the team this summer?

A—All the freshman guys are good kids. Taking summer classes and skating during the week have allowed us to get pretty close. I think we have a great freshman class coming in this year, and should be impact players for the team.

Remembering A Friend

Earle Leeder, a longtime supporter of Terrier hockey and member of The Friends of BU Hockey, passed away on July 29, as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident.

While not a founder of the Friends, he was a charter member of the organization that Jack Kelley helped launch after becoming BU’s head coach in 1962. Kelley said, “Earle was involved from the beginning, always contributing to the program both financially and as a friend to the players, throughout my tenure as coach and continuing onward. For all that he did, he never wanted to take any credit. Earle was just a wonderful, good guy who took a personal interest in the players, looked out for them and opened his home to them, especially those who were not local.”

Two-time All-American defenseman and member of the 1971 and 1972 national championship teams Bob Brown, who hails from the Toronto area, recalls that “in those days, there was no Sunday dinner served in the dorms and many players would be invited to the Friends’ homes for dinner. I was one of many who regularly went to the Leeders’ home, and that grew into a lifelong friendship. Whenever my wife and I traveled to Boston, we stayed with the Leeders. We’re very saddened by his passing.”

Kelley noted that he’d invited Leeder to join him and many former players this past February when a bust of the legendary coach was dedicated at Agganis Arena, and that Leeder has been most appreciative to be included in the celebration.

The Leeder Family has indicated that remembrances may be made to Friends of B.U. Hockey, 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or a charity of your choice. Online Guest Book.