Courtnall Departs, MacAfee Commits

Today was a busy day in the world of Terrier hockey. First, BU picked up a commitment from St. Sebastian's defenseman Dalton MacAfee. MacAFee posted one goal, 15 assists, for 16 points in 28 games played with the Arrows. MacAFee actually had previously committed to Noter Dame, where his father was a standout football star, for Lacrosse. One tidbit I'd like to throw in here is that MacAfee played Medfield Youth Hockey as a squirt. The only reason I put this in is because I'm from Medfield and played in the same program a few years after Dalton. As far as I Know, he is the first player from MYH to commit to a Hockey East school. Maybe I'll be the second (haha never going to happen).

Anyway, back to the events of today. Last season's Assistant Captain, Justin Courtnall has decided to forgo his final season of eligibility and sign with the Boston Bruins. The decision comes very late into the off season and now leaves a hole that may not be filled prior to the season starting. Two days ago, the incoming freshman class was officially announced and I'm not sure if Parker can pull in another recruit before the season starts.

Last season, Courtnall racked up 4 goals, 3 assists, and a team leading 73 penalty minutes in 39 games played.

Personally, I don't think this is that big a loss. Courtnall took some really un-timely and might I add dumb penalties in the latter half of the year. The one that really stands out is his five minute hitting from behind major that Minnesota took full advantage of scoring twice in the five minute span. The penalty more or less cost the Terriers the game and a chance to move into the "Great Eight" of college hockey.

Cournally will likely play in either the ECHL or AHL next year. I would be SHOCKED if he played with the Bruins at all next year. Pro hockey may prove to be great for Court's though, as some of the ticky-tacky Hockey East calls will go uncalled.

Freshman Class officially Announced

Today, the class of 2016 was officially announced by Jack Parker. Anyone who follows the program closely at all probably already knew the 9 man recruit class, so I'll keep this post short and limit it to Parker's comments on each player 

Matt Grzelcyk: "We feel that Grzelcyk will be an impact player in every phase of the game for us. He'll get power-play time and he's a real smart defensive player on the initial rush, down low, killing penalties. He'll get a lot of ice time right off the bat. He's a guy who has a lot of poise and gives his teammates a lot of confidence."

Sam Kruker:  "Kurker is very talented and can play on the top two lines or the third and fourth lines. It doesn't matter where you put him, he'll produce points and give us a physical presence. We were originally going to take him next year, but he was playing so well we decided to take him now."

Matt Lane: "We're really excited to get Matt in the fold. He's a very talented, strong-skating left wing who really came on in the second half of the year for the Under-18 Team. He performed extremely well in the international tournaments and he's going to bring strength, speed and a pretty good scoring touch to the forward group."

Mike Moran: "Moran's a hard-nosed, big, strong skater. He's going to give us depth on the wing. He could establish himself pretty early as filling a void that we have, and that's size and physical play."

Wesley Myron: "Myron's a big, strong center iceman who can play the wing as well. He's a good puck handler and a good point producer. He should fit in on the power play and be on our top three lines for sure."

Ahti Oksanen: "We were very fortunate to get a player of Ahti's caliber so late in the game. He is a very skilled defenseman who should step right in and develop into a very good player in our league. He will fill the gap left behind by Adam Clendening's early departure."

Danny O'Regan: "Danny's another guy we thought would be coming in September of 2013, but he played extremely well in his senior year at St. Sebastian's. We've known about him for a while since he's Tommy's son. He's always been a very clever guy and a great player in his age group. He excelled in international competition for the Under-18 Team and there's a good possibility he'll be a first- or second-line center for us."

Sean Maguire: "Maguire's a big guy who fills a lot of the net and he's got a lot of talent. He had a real good junior career in Canada. We've known him for a couple of years and really like him. We knew we were coming to this point where we were losing two senior goalies and we were very fortunate to get him."

Matthew O'Connor: "Matt's another goalie with great size. He was the backstop of a pretty good USHL team, but he was the go-to guy for that team. He saw a lot of pucks. He had a real good career there, and despite an injury that kept him back a little bit, he emerged as one of the premier goalies in the league. We're confident that he and Maguire can give us a one-two punch right off the bat."

BU Adds Finnish Defenseman For This Fall

Today, BU picked up a commitment from Finnish defensman Ahti Oksanen. He is the final recruit for this upcoming fall. Last season, Oksanen played for the Finland U20 team and prior to that was a member of the Espoo Blues, a U20 team part of a Finnish Junior A league named SA- Liiga.

In 47 games played with the Blues last season, Oksanen posted 14 goals, 25 assists for 39 points to go along with 26 penalty minutes. As a member of the Finland U20 squad, Oksanen played in three games, recording no points. 

Oksanen is a left handed shot born in Espoo, Finland. According to Elite Hockey Prospects, he is 6'3" 194lbs and was born in 1993. 

There are three former Finns that come to mind who previously played at BU. Peter Ahola was a key member on a 1991 Terrier squad that lost the National Championship game in triple overtime to Northern Michigan. Kai Lina was on the 1995 team that did capture the National Championship, defeating Maine 6-2. Finally, Tommi Degerman captained the 2000 BU hockey team, a team that was about as close as possible to making the Frozen Four without actually making it, as they fell 3-2 in four overtimes to St. Lawrence. The last european native to dawn a Terrier sweater was Jekabs Redlihs, a defenseman from Riga, Latvia, who graduated in 2006.

The Trivino Saga Continues

Corey Trivino makes a play on a lose
puck in last year's season opener.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Today, former Terrier Corey Trivino pled guilty to two counts of assault and battery and another count of trespassing. Trivino was originally charged with assault with intent to rape, three counts of indecent assault and battery, and two counts of breaking an entering back on December 11th 2011.

"The two counts of assault and battery he was charged with were reduced from indecent assault and battery and the trespassing charge was reduced from breaking and entering."- from The Daily Free Press

Today he was sentenced to two years of alcohol free probation... to attend weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings... to submit random urine samples... to have no contact with the victim... and to undergo psychiatric evaluations.

Trivino also has reportedly signed with the New York Islanders, who drafted him back in the 2008 NHL entry draft.