News and Notes: Robber

Today it was announced that BU has picked up a commitment from Maine decommit Nick Roberto. Roberto was one in many who avoided their commitment to Orono after the program's head coach, Tim Whitehead was fired two weeks ago.

Roberto is a 5-9, 170 pound forward, who previously called Kimball Union Academy home. Before that, he played at Malden Catholic. Last year with KUA, he put up 14 goals, 15 assists for 31 assists in 29 games. Roberto was named USHR's "Prep Forward of  the Year."

Roberto now joins former teammate at MC Brandon Collier, Robbie Baillargeon, Jarrid Privitera, Tommy Kelley, and Kevin Duane as the forwards in BU 2013 recruit class.

Terriers in the NHL Playoffs
Nick Bonino - Anaheim Ducks
Charlie Coyle - Minnesota Wild
Kevin Shattenkirk - St. Louis Blues
Brian Strait - New York Islands (on IR)
Jay Pandolfo - Boston Bruins
Matt Gilroy - New York Rangers
Tom Poti - Washington Capitals

Frozen Fenway Coming Back 

Last week it was announced that BU will again take part in the Frozen Fenway, an event in which they beat BC 3-2 back in 2010. This January, they will take on Maine in America's most beloved ballpark. The game will be scheduled as the night cap on 1/11/14. Lowell and Northeastern will be the first game.

The History of Hockey at My High School

For my journalism class at Medfield High, I compiled a pretty complete and in depth look at the history of hockey at Medfield. If anyone is interested, here is my article:


"They started like every other early twentieth century-hockey team: on the ponds. Today, Medfield stands on top of the Tri Valley League and is jumping up a division. 

Lets start with the humble beginngs. Medfield High School first offered hockey as a varsity sport in the 20's. The team played other schools from around the area and called Kingsbury Pond home ice. This only lasted for a couple of seasons, as ice conditions were not always the best and the sport was too expensive.

Hockey was brought back to Medfield in 1964, but took until 1977 to be officially recognized as a varsity sport, according to Richard Desorgher. 

It was not be until 1995 that the program really got off the ground. That season saw the team head as far as any Warriors team has ever gone. It also marked the first Tri Valley League title in program history. 

Current social studies teacher, Mr. Panciocco took over the head coaching job in the winter of 1999. The Warriors finished second in the TVL and made the state tournament in his first year as bench boss, but fell in the Quarterfinals to Cape Cod Tech, 7-4. 

"Not only was it my first year coaching, but I was coaching the team I once played for, which was unbelievable," said Panciocco."It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun at the same time." 

Read the rest here at the Kingsbury Chronicle.

Notes From The Banquet

Last night was the 50th annual Friends of BU Hockey Banquet and for the first time I was actually in attendance. Overall I thought it was a really cool experience and something I regret not going to in the past. Anyway, on to the awards.

Clifford P. Fitzgerald Scholarship: Presented to the outstanding junior or senior defenseman.
     - Garrett Noonan

Regina Eilberg Scholarship: Awarded to the player who combines the highest standards of  Terrier athletics and academic performance.
     - Matt O'Connor

Ed Carpenter Award: Given to the team's leading scorer.
     - Danny O'Regan

Bettett Mcinnis Award For Spirit: Given to the player who best typifies the spirit of a Boston University hockey player on and off the ice.
     - Ryan Santana

Mike Boyle Terrier of Steel Award: Awarded to the player who most exemplifies character, strength, dedication and discipline in the weight room and off-ice training.
     - Ryan Ruikka

Most Improved Player: Awarded to the player who has most improved from October to April or the player who has improved the most from last year to this year. 
     - Casson Hohmann and Jake Moscatel

The Friends Albert Sidd Unsung Hero Award: Awarded to the player who contributes much during his four years and does not garner the proper recognition.
     - Evan Rodrigues

George V. Brown Most Valuable Player Award: Awarded to the player who would be missed the most if he was not in the lineup. It goes to the most valuable player, not necessarily the most outstanding player.  
     - Wade Megan
*All award descriptions are straight out of the evenings program.

It was not the awards or even that the team did NOT name next year's captain that caught everyone's attention. No. What did that is when Master of Ceremonies Bernie Corbett and Athletic Director Mike Lynch announced that BU will be retiring the Number Six in honor of Jack Parker. Of course, Parker wore six back in his playing days at BU.

The number will be raised to the rafters right next to Travis Roy's Number 24 banner. Parker said he was "honored"to be next to Roy in the rafters.

2013 Season Highlights

Week In Review: Chasing Stars

"Week in review" is something that I want to do over the summer to keep up with things better that I have in the past. So, every Wednesday I will recap the week (kinda how the name suggest) all things BU hockey. The will include recruits, current team news, college hockey news, and former players.

Alex Chiasson
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Alex Chiasson
This past week, the former Terrier made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars, the team that drafted him 38th overall in the 2009 entry draft. Chiasson wasted no time finding the back of the net, as he scored in just his second NHL game. Two days letter, he scored two goals in the Stars' 5-4 (so) win vs San Jose. In his first four NHL games, Chiasson has racked up four points.

Matt Nieto...
saw time in his first pro game. So far since leaving BU a week or so ago, Nieto has 2 goals and 2 assists in five games for the AHL Worcester Sharks. Nieto wears number 40 for those keeping track at home.

Frozen Four
Tomorrow night kicks off College Hockey's final weekend. In the early game out in Pittsburg, Lowell will take on Yale in their first ever Frozen Four game. Later Thursday night, St. Cloud State and Quinnipeac will do battle. QU, Lowell, and SCSU all never have made the Frozen Four and Yale last made it in 1952.

Glory Glory We Move On

Today it was announced that junior Matt Nieto will forgo his senior year and sign with the San Jose Sharks, the team that drafted him 47th overall in 2011.

Matt Nieto fires a shot vs Northeastern this past March
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

After a slow start, Nieto still managed to finished the year second on the team in scoring with 37 points, one behind freshman Danny O'Regan. Nieto hit 100 points two weeks ago against Merrimack in the Hockey East Quarterfinals. In total, the Long Beach, California native posted 102 points (44g, 58a) in 115 games played. He is the first junior since Nick Bonino to hit the 100 point mark in his third year on campus.

Nieto was recently ranked the fifth best prospect in the Sharks organization.

Undoubtably, this a big loss for next year. The good news is, I saw on Twitter today that Garrett Noonan will most likely be back for his senior year. Unfortunately Nieto's departure breaks up one of the best lines in all of college hockey. Him, Danny O'Regan and Evan Rodrigues were on fire at the end of the year. The 20 game stretch prior to the Hockey East Semis, the O'regan-Nieto-Rodrigues line was the top scoring line in the country in that span of time. They posted 73 points, (33g 40a). **Stats from Brian Kelley**