by Anthony Travalgia/CHN Reporter (@A_Travalgia)
BU defenseman Tom Willander.
Boston College
Head Coach: Greg Brown
2023-24 Record: 34-6-1 (20-3-1 Hockey East)
Changes: There are not many teams more well equipped to handle the firepower that is no longer with the program than Boston College. Will Smith and Cutter Gauthier signed their entry-level contracts, two key pieces to college hockey’s second highest scoring offense, but BC brought plenty more in.
Strengths: With the Eagles averaging 4.50 goals per game last year, it was easy to overlook how truly well freshman goalie Jacob Fowler played in net. Fowler had a .926 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average. Fowler was a special player in year one and it’s exciting to think about the possibility of Fowler taking his game to another level in year two.
Weaknesses: Good luck finding a weakness on this Boston College team. Looking at the Eagles top to bottom, it’s hard to find any area of improvement needed. The Eagles were not forced to win many 3-2, 2-1 games last season. With the offensive production from last year expected to take a slight dip, the Eagles will likely find themselves in low scoring games more often. Something says they’ll do just fine in those.
2024-25 Outlook: Ryan Leonard citing Boston College having unfinished business as to why he returned to Boston College says it all. It’s a clear indication of the Eagles’ mindset heading into 2024-25.
“We came up one game short and that’s why I’m going back for another year, to try and get that program where it should be,” Leonard told NHL.com. “It was a fun game but hopefully it will go the other way next time.”
An exciting group of incoming freshmen led by potential No. 1 overall pick; James Hagens should blend in well with a still stacked Boston College roster.
Boston University
Head Coach: Jay Pandolfo
2023-24 Record: 28-10-2 (18-4-2 Hockey East)
Changes: Like Boston College, Boston University lost two of its key offensive drivers to the NHL. Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson both signed professional deals following the Terriers’ second consecutive trip to the Frozen Four. Boston University hopes a pair of incoming freshmen in Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson, younger brother of Lane, can help make up for…
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