Why Your Team Sucks- UMass

In case you don't get around the internet much, this a clear worse version of what Deadspin does with the NFL each year

 Part 1 of 11

Your team: UMass Minutemen Hockey 
Your 2015-2016 record: 8-24-4(2-16-4)
Your 2016-2017 outlook: Probably not all that much better than last year..or the year before or the year before that. UMass has sucked for basically 10 years since Jonanthan Quick got the hell out of the boring ass town of Amherst, MA as soon as possible. This has been par for the course for every NHL ready or even close to ready prospect at the state's flagship school. Who is the last Minuteman who was borderline to turn pro or return to school and actually came back to school? Frank Vatrano, Brandon Montour, etc. Kravchenko probably tried to get kicked out this year just because he couldn't stand it anymore. You could continue to lose A LOT in the middle of nowhere or you could go make six figures. Easy choice even for a UMass student.

via GIPHY


Last year, Umass had 8 wins all year including only two in conference. They should get credit for another as they did beat 11th placed Maine once out of 4 games(it was a third place tournament game in New Jersey). Anyone who attended a third place tournament game between Maine and UMass in the state of New Jersey either has absolutely no life or just loves watching train wrecks of hockey teams. Speaking of train wrecks, two of their other wins came against Colorado College who somehow manages to make UMass look like a real hockey team twice a year. Their other wins came against Army in OT, UConn X 2, AIC and Sacred Heart. For those keeping track at home, approximately 0 of those wins comes against teams with a record above .500 or even close to it.

UMass continues to schedule juggernauts this year with out of conference games against the likes of Army, Princeton, Alabama Huntsville and D-1 newcomer Arizona State. They also are playing in a tournament in Belfast Ireland. My question for tournament organizers is that haven't the Irish people been through enough? Famine, wars, terrible weather and now UMass hockey. Very sad state of affairs for all of Ireland that weekend when the train wreck hockey program rolls into town.

UMass loses six players( four of which had to be kicked out of the program) from the program which account for 33% of the points on an 8 win team that was a combined -62 on the season. I am no hockey expert but that doesn't sound like a recipe for success unless you have a bunch of first round picks coming in that year(oh that's only a BU thing). The chances UMass has a successful season this year is the same chance they have at having a full student section in a third period..0%

Clayton Keller rejects Windsor

BU incoming freshman Clayton Keller has publicly rejected his offer from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL(Ontario Hockey League). This is big news to BU hockey fans as it confirms that Keller will remain on campus for his freshman season. Obviously these types of things can change in a moment's notice(see Bracco, Jeremy) but it appears that Keller seems intent to play with the three fellow first round picks(Bellows, Fabbro and McAvoy) on the roster as well as the rest of the talent that BU coach David Quinn has brought in this season.

Windsor definitely had a lot to offer Keller as they are the hosts of the Memorial Cup this coming season and have a few close friends of Keller on the roster. Ultimately, Keller made the decision that he felt was the best for his career growth and also happens to be the one all BU fans were pulling for.

Keller will be an instant impact player at BU and will be put into a top 6 role right away. I would not be surprised to see Quinn treat similar to Eichel in that he will play on all units including PK to make Keller the best player he can be and help him develop for the next level.

Fortunato leaving BU

Brandon Fortunato will not return to @TerrierHockey next season, according to David Quinn. Fortunato has 1 year of junior eligibility left.

— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) July 28, 2016

It was announced last night that Brandon Fortunato will be leaving the BU hockey program. It seems like he would be looking to transfer to a school with an opportunity for more playing time. Playing time was going to be a crunch for Fortunato with captain Doyle Somerby returning on D with first round draft picks Charlie McAvoy and Dante Fabbro, second round picks Johnny Macleod and Chad Krys, third round pick Brandon Hickey and returners Brien Diffley and Shane Switzer.  There were rumors that Fortunato was going to be moved to forward but they may be something he was not comfortable with for his career development. Fortunato was a very capable defenseman for BU and quarterbacked the powerplay for them during each of his two seasons. He tallied 40 points in 79 games for the Terriers and was responsible as a defenseman as well despite his smaller frame.

BU dominates NHL draft

When Boston University had four draft picks go in the first 50 picks in last year's NHL draft, fans across the country were left impressed by David Quinn and Co.'s recruiting. The 2016 draft left them in shock, awe, and fear of the amount of talent aligning on the same team on Comm. Ave for this coming season. Four BU Terriers were taken in the first 20 picks with the 5th coming off the board at 45 overall to top last year's mark of four picks in the top 50.




Those 5 draft picks along with Patrick Harper going in the 5th round leaves BU with 11 draft picks for the coming season including 6 defensemen. The tough part of setting a lineup for Quinn will be deciding where to play his 5 drafted forwards to mix with the experience and talent of the rest of the roster. Forwards such as Ryan Cloonan, Oskar Andren, Nik Olsson and others return to bring valuable experience and #grit to the lineup.

A way too early look at what next year's lineup could look like on opening night at Colgate

Bellows-Keller-Andren
Greenway-JFK-Harper
Cloonan-Bobo-Fortunato
McDermott-Olsson-Phelps

Somerby-McAvoy
Hickey-Fabbro
Krys- Macleod/Diffley

Oettinger
LaCouvee
Prawdzik

NHL Draft Preview

The best offseason weekend of the year in college/professional hockey is approaching with the NHL draft taking place this Friday and Saturday in Buffalo, NY.  BU will likely have four first round picks in this year's draft with 1-3 others taken in later rounds. The four first round draft picks will be sure to be the buzz of the draft as it will most likely be the most from any NCAA or CHL team and because #BUtwitter is going to be lit. London and Winsdor(back off Keller please) each look like they could have 2-3 guys go in the first as well but nobody will touch the 4 BU is going to have and no other college program will have more than one. The job Quinn has done on the recruiting trail over the last three years has been unreal to say the least. Friday night is a night to enjoy it and make fun of all the other peasant college and junior teams with less than 4 first round picks(hint that's all of them).

Projected Draft Rankings
1. Clayton Keller- Top 10
2. Kieffer Bellows- Top 15
3. Charlie McAvoy- Top 15
4. Dante Fabbro- First round
5. Chad Krys- 2-3 round
6. Johnny McDermott- 4-7th round

Here are a few mock drafts(TSN- Craig Button, Draftsite) so people know what to expect Friday night.  Official DrunkCast Drinking Game rules after the jump!