This is the first of 3 number of previews on the incoming 2012 class for BU hockey. While there have been rumors of another dman being added(perhaps an international recruit), I will only preview the freshman who we know will be on campus this fall. There are currently 8 incoming freshmen if I can count correctly which isn't always the case.
1. Matthew Grzelcyk, D- Charlestown, MA (USNTDP- 56 GP, 2-20-22, 20 PMs) 5-9, 170lbs left shot
-Grzelcyk has been compared to former Terrier David Warsofsky due to his smaller size but expert puck-moving ability. He has put on 20lbs since leaving Belmont Hill for the USNTP and continues to work with BU strength and conditioning coach Mike Boyle over the course of the summer. I would expect "Grizzy" to put similar numbers to Warsofsky and Adam Clendening's freshman years. Warsofsky posted a 3-20-23 line in 08-09 on a National championship team while Clendening posted a 5-21-26 line in 10-11. According to our poll thus far, fans are excited to watch Grzelcyk play this season. He is a local kid and a draft pick of the Bruins, which really is the perfect storm for me anyway to pull for the kid. I could see him reaching as high as the second d-pair this coming season and would expect him to see extensive special team ice time, especially on the power play. Here is what other website have thought of Grzelcyk
" Excellent skater. Has superb first few steps and explodes from a standstill or glide in just a few, effortless strides. Has top gear and the lateral, four-way agility that is ideal for position. Changes direction quickly and able to prevent opponents from attacking his net with speed. Very good passer and puck-mover with a deft touch on the puck. Advances the biscuit confidently and has the stick skills to elude checkers and lug it out of the defensive zone on his own. Has superb offensive and defensive hockey sense; sees the ice beautifully and inherently understands when to attack and when to stay home. Very good in puck retrieval; will take a hit to make the play. Plays with tremendous passion and desire. Grew up in the shadow of the Boston Garden and FleetCenter/TD Garden dreaming of being a Boston Bruin, so he will exert the utmost effort to be a player even with the physical limitations. A respected and popular teammate." -Kirk Luedeke and Jesse Connolly Link to the rest of the article and interview with Grzelyck is right here from New England Hockey Journal.
Another writer weighed in on Grzelcyk's chances of making the U.S. world junior team this winter after watching him skate at the training camp in the past couple of weeks... " In the games I saw him play in, I kept writing down Grzelcyk’s name, which is difficult to spell, you guys. I have a feeling he’s going to be the odd man out because 1993-born Reilly and Gostisbehere are a little more advanced and bigger, but Grzelcyk’s offensive game was lights out in this camp. He had as many points as both those guys (four, all assists) and showed his high-end to elite skating ability. Grzelcyk is such a heads up player, I wouldn’t be surprised if he kept himself in the conversation for much of the first half. This might not be his time to make the team, but he’s going to be there in 2014 without a doubt. Some thought the Bruins reached to grab Grzelcyk 85th overall. Nope." Here is the link to the rest of the article written by Chris Peters.
2. Matthew Lane , F- Rochester, NY (USNTDP- 59 GP, 13-17-30, 53 PMs) 5-9, 170lbs, left shot
- Everything you read on Lane is that this is a hard-working kid who relies on his speed to create scoring chances. This will be something that this team needs this coming season as they look to fill the role of Chris Connolly as a top 6 forward by the end of his career. I think he will probably start out on the third line as Connolly did as a freshman and I see him scoring somewhere in the 20-30 point range for his freshman season. He could easily pass those excpectations as he was passed on in the draft and has been doubted throughout his career due to his lack of size. I would mark down Lane as a guy who is going to be a great college hockey player and will surprise many with his speed and effort all season. Lane chose college hockey over the OHL, where his older brother plays and has stated that he loves the campus at BU. It will be really interesting to see what Lane can bring to the table this coming season. Here is what some other people had to say of Lane.
- "The speedy, skilled Lane brings intensity and a scoring touch to the rink. He had two goals and one assist in three games last week as the U.S. captured the Four Nations Cup in Switzerland and is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft." -College Hockey Inc article
- "Matthew is a tremendous skater: Agile and shows different gears that he can kick it in to. Is an energy / grinder type player with competent hands. Nothing too slick but shows flashes of creativity. Played an intense, down –low game with a hard-edged fore-check. Has a great deal of hockey sense and uses it on both sides of the puck. Not the most skilled player but gives it all he has every time he touches the ice." - Terrier Hockey Blog(Amateur Hockey Report- Jan 2011).
3. Danny O'Regan, F- Needham, MA (USNTDP - 14 GP, 4-6-10 , St. Sebastian's - 27 GP, 21-35-56)- 5-9,170 right shot
- O'Regan seems to be a kid who can step in and contribute right away for the Terriers. I would not be surprised at all if he was centering the second line on opening night against PC. He is a playmaking forward who is very capable of handling the responsibilities of a center, especially on the offensive end of the ice. He, like Lane and Grzelcyk, has been knocked for his size. O' Regan was drafted 138th overall by the Sharks and I would expect him to put up 25+ points as a freshman specifically with a high assist total to either Matt Nieto or Wade Megan who will be on his left wing. I like the kid even more because he picked BU over BC but that's just the cherry on top.
“I grew up a BU fan and I’ve always liked BU,” he said, “and it’s kind of always been my dream just to be able to play there...I had talked to (Boston College) and I had some interest in them,” he said. “Later on I had some Ivy League schools in the mix, but I knew where I wanted to go.”
Read more: Needham’s Daniel O’Regan playing for Team USA at U18 Worlds - Needham, Massachusetts - Needham Times http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/features/x1852605785/Needham-s-Daniel-O-Regan-playing-for-Team-USA-at-U18-Worlds#ixzz24I9xbcH6
Also here is Hockey Future's analysis of O'Regan " O'Regan is speedy, skilled player rolled into a small package. He may have been more highly touted had he been 6'-plus, so he'll need to prove that he can handle the bigger bodies in the pro game. But offense isn't a problem for O'Regan as he is a playmaking forward with some goal-scoring ability and enough speed to make him dangerous in the offensive zone. As with most younger players, he'll need to work on his defensive game, but that part of his game is not a major weakness."
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