Long Beach, California might not be the first place one would expect to find a 5 star hockey recruit - but that is exactly where 2010 Terrier recruit Matthew Nieto calls home. The 5'11", 182 lb Nieto is currently a part of the US NTDP program - having played for the Under 17's and currently playing for the Under 18 program. Nieto was called up at the end of last season from the U-17s to the U-18s for the U-18 World Championships (after totaling an impressive 67 points for the U-17s) - and lit the lamp in the Championship game en route to Team USA's 5-0 victory. This season, the left shot forward has totaled a team leading 49 points for the U-18s - on a 26 goal, 23 assist scoring line, and is preparing again for the U-18 championships (which start April 13th). Although being a top 2010 college prospect, Nieto will not be NHL draft eligible until 2011 due to his November '92 birthday.
Nieto, ranked 3rd in collegehockey247.com's 2010 recruit rankings, has led the U-18s in scoring despite missing 9 games back in January. Although the reasons are not widely reported, according to westerncollegehockeyblog.com it was the result of a suspension handed to Nieto and 3 other US NTDP players for a sexual harassment case at Pioneer High School. At the time, it was wondered what would happen to the futures of these players, but as far as we hear BU did not rescind Nieto's scholarship. The story never got much press, but it does make one wonder...
Regardless, Nieto is a top prospect and we should all be excited about what this player can do in the Scarlet and White.
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