Millan, Two Incoming Recruits Selected in 2009 NHL Draft
by Chris Aliano
The 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft came and went Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2009, and while no member of the Boston University men’s ice hockey team were selected during the event’s first round, three Terriers were taken during the second day of the draft.
Among the Terriers selected were reigning HCA National Rookie of the Year and rising sophomore goaltender Kieran Millan, who posted the nation’s best winning percentage of .897 during his freshman season. Millan was selected 124th overall during the fifth round of the draft by the Colorado Avalanche, and was the tenth goalie taken overall despite being ranked #17 by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service.
Colorado has now selected 12 Terriers through the entry draft—more than any other NHL franchise. Colorado also owns the rights to BU’s Colby Cohen, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Brandon Yip. The four played pivotal roles during BU’s ascendance to the 2009 national championship. Also noteworthy of the tie between BU and the Avalanche is the recent link between coaches of both organizations. Former associate head coach David Quinn recently accepted an offer by the Avalanche to man the helm of their AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. Quinn, who provided BU head coach Jack Parker with five years of service, is now in the same organization as former Terrier Joe Sacco, who had been promoted from within the organization to head coach of the Avalanche earlier in June. Sacco and Quinn played together at BU for one season.
But it was an incoming recruit who was selected higher than Millan, as freshman forward Alex Chiasson was selected 38th overall in the second round by the Dallas Stars. Chiasson had been ranked #34 among North American skaters prior to the draft, and was the sixth collegiate forward selected overall. The 6’4”, 187-pound St. Augustin, Quebec native has been heralded for his size and his aggressiveness on the ice, and is expected to have an immediate impact for the Terriers, who lost Hobey Baker Finalist and fan-favorite Colin Wilson to the Nashville Predators after finishing his sophomore season with the most assists and tied for most points in Hockey East.
Chiasson garnered accolades while a member of the United States Hockey League’s Des Moines Buccaneers, earning USHL-All-Rookie status during a season in which he totaled a team-high 50 points (17 goals, 33 assists). Chiasson was not the only incoming freshman drafted, as fellow forward Wade Megan saw his rights taken by the Florida Panthers. Megan finished off an impressive prep school career at South Kent School, stringing together 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) during the 2008-09 season.
While the Terrier offense will certainly see a boost by these two stellar incoming prospects, the greatest impact by recruits could be seen on the blue line with the highly hyped arrival of defender Max Nicastro. A member of the USHL’s Chicago Steel in 2008-09, Nicastro strung together 31 points and has been touted as the heir-apparent to Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy’s position. Alongside Nicastro will most likely be Sean Escobedo, who played for the Tri-City Storm and Sioux Falls Stampede in 2008-09. Escobedo garnered 17 points on the season, but his true talent lies in his ability to neutralize opposing threats, a job that once belonged to BU’s Brian Strait.
It is no secret that Strait’s decision to defect to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins organization was unexpected by Parker, and according to sources the initial plan for Escobedo was for him to remain in the USHL another season, allowing for him to refine his skills while holding off on his arrival on campus until the fall of 2010. Strait’s departure, however, left the coaching staff with few options as they decided Escobedo’s presence would be required immediately should BU plan to defend its national championship.
Rounding out the group of six incoming recruits are left-winger Justin Courtnall and defender Ben Rosen. Courtnall tallied an impressive 63 points last season with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Victoria Grizzlies, capping off a three-year career in which he strung together 128 points on 46 goals and 82 assists. Rosen hails from the Eastern Junior Hockey League’s South Shore Kings, and his 53 points last season were good enough for best in the league among defenders.
With such a dynamic group of young talent headed to Agganis Arena this fall, it will be interesting to see just how profound a role these young men will play in BU’s quest to repeat as national champions for the first time since 1971 and 1972. Expect to see Nicastro and Escobedo as possible replacements for Gilroy and Strait (though no one will ever be able to fully replace Gilroy), with Chiasson and Megan seeing some time on the ice as well.
Check back at wtburadio.org as the season approaches for more in-depth information regarding the 2009-10 recruiting class and all things Terrier hockey.
Also, don’t miss out on this feature by NHL.com staff writer John McGourty regarding Alex Chiasson and the expectations surrounding him as he makes his transition to college hockey.
The 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft came and went Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2009, and while no member of the Boston University men’s ice hockey team were selected during the event’s first round, three Terriers were taken during the second day of the draft.
Among the Terriers selected were reigning HCA National Rookie of the Year and rising sophomore goaltender Kieran Millan, who posted the nation’s best winning percentage of .897 during his freshman season. Millan was selected 124th overall during the fifth round of the draft by the Colorado Avalanche, and was the tenth goalie taken overall despite being ranked #17 by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service.
Colorado has now selected 12 Terriers through the entry draft—more than any other NHL franchise. Colorado also owns the rights to BU’s Colby Cohen, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Brandon Yip. The four played pivotal roles during BU’s ascendance to the 2009 national championship. Also noteworthy of the tie between BU and the Avalanche is the recent link between coaches of both organizations. Former associate head coach David Quinn recently accepted an offer by the Avalanche to man the helm of their AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. Quinn, who provided BU head coach Jack Parker with five years of service, is now in the same organization as former Terrier Joe Sacco, who had been promoted from within the organization to head coach of the Avalanche earlier in June. Sacco and Quinn played together at BU for one season.
But it was an incoming recruit who was selected higher than Millan, as freshman forward Alex Chiasson was selected 38th overall in the second round by the Dallas Stars. Chiasson had been ranked #34 among North American skaters prior to the draft, and was the sixth collegiate forward selected overall. The 6’4”, 187-pound St. Augustin, Quebec native has been heralded for his size and his aggressiveness on the ice, and is expected to have an immediate impact for the Terriers, who lost Hobey Baker Finalist and fan-favorite Colin Wilson to the Nashville Predators after finishing his sophomore season with the most assists and tied for most points in Hockey East.
Chiasson garnered accolades while a member of the United States Hockey League’s Des Moines Buccaneers, earning USHL-All-Rookie status during a season in which he totaled a team-high 50 points (17 goals, 33 assists). Chiasson was not the only incoming freshman drafted, as fellow forward Wade Megan saw his rights taken by the Florida Panthers. Megan finished off an impressive prep school career at South Kent School, stringing together 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) during the 2008-09 season.
While the Terrier offense will certainly see a boost by these two stellar incoming prospects, the greatest impact by recruits could be seen on the blue line with the highly hyped arrival of defender Max Nicastro. A member of the USHL’s Chicago Steel in 2008-09, Nicastro strung together 31 points and has been touted as the heir-apparent to Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy’s position. Alongside Nicastro will most likely be Sean Escobedo, who played for the Tri-City Storm and Sioux Falls Stampede in 2008-09. Escobedo garnered 17 points on the season, but his true talent lies in his ability to neutralize opposing threats, a job that once belonged to BU’s Brian Strait.
It is no secret that Strait’s decision to defect to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins organization was unexpected by Parker, and according to sources the initial plan for Escobedo was for him to remain in the USHL another season, allowing for him to refine his skills while holding off on his arrival on campus until the fall of 2010. Strait’s departure, however, left the coaching staff with few options as they decided Escobedo’s presence would be required immediately should BU plan to defend its national championship.
Rounding out the group of six incoming recruits are left-winger Justin Courtnall and defender Ben Rosen. Courtnall tallied an impressive 63 points last season with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Victoria Grizzlies, capping off a three-year career in which he strung together 128 points on 46 goals and 82 assists. Rosen hails from the Eastern Junior Hockey League’s South Shore Kings, and his 53 points last season were good enough for best in the league among defenders.
With such a dynamic group of young talent headed to Agganis Arena this fall, it will be interesting to see just how profound a role these young men will play in BU’s quest to repeat as national champions for the first time since 1971 and 1972. Expect to see Nicastro and Escobedo as possible replacements for Gilroy and Strait (though no one will ever be able to fully replace Gilroy), with Chiasson and Megan seeing some time on the ice as well.
Check back at wtburadio.org as the season approaches for more in-depth information regarding the 2009-10 recruiting class and all things Terrier hockey.
Also, don’t miss out on this feature by NHL.com staff writer John McGourty regarding Alex Chiasson and the expectations surrounding him as he makes his transition to college hockey.
posted by Chris Aliano at
8:17 PM
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