Terriers have Roots in U-18’s

by Tristan Hobbes

The United States U-18 hockey team will be no pushover Saturday night at Agganis Arena. This team competes in the USHL, but a look at their schedule shows a schedule that rivals any of the top college teams in the country. These kids may be 18 years and younger, but they are given the opportunity to showcase their skills to some of the top teams across the country.

Boston University knows all about this team and its players. They should at least, because five former U-18ers are current members of the Terriers 2009-10 squad and two current members will be Terriers next season. Junior captain Kevin Shattenkirk (’11) and sophomore David Warsofsky (’12) both captained the team when they played and junior Colby Cohen (’11), senior Luke Popko (’10) and sophomore Vinny Saponari (’12) all laced them up for the NTDP team. Adam Clendening and Matt Nieto have both verbally committed and BU fans will have their first glimpse at the future of Terrier hockey. Saponari ('12) even scored against his current team when the two teams clashed back in 2007, a 3-2 Terriers victory.

Shattenkirk ('11) and Saponari both know how lucky they were to play for this team and credit the program for developing them into top college-caliber players.
“I think that was one of the key parts of my development, going there for two years,” said Shattenkirk of his experience. “The coaches helped me out and really completed my game.”

“They throw you into high levels of competition that gets you a lot of experience and prepares you to be a good college hockey player right off the bat,” was Saponari’s assessment of his U-18 days.

The two alums also know how excited these youngsters will be coming to Agganis and taking on the defending champs.

“It’s always fun to play those guys again,” said Shattenkirk. “Knowing everything they go through in the year and the emotions they have in these games. I know they are going to be fired up to play us and hopefully we can bring the same emotions.”
“I know how they felt playing in a game like this,” said Saponari. “They are all pumped up to play a big university like BU.”

BU will be the third top tier college hockey team that the U-18’s will play during the season. The U.S. team lost to the fourth ranked Michigan Wolverines, 4-2, on October 3rd and will play Boston College tonight in Chestnut Hill. There are numerous other top colleges scattered throughout the schedule including Bowling Green, Michigan State, Cornell, Colgate, Union, the University of Wisconsin, Ohio State, Maine and my hometown Utica College Pioneers.

Still aren’t sold on this team. Four years ago they had a player by the name of Patrick Kane. Yes, the same Patrick Kane that was selected as the first overall pick in 2007 by the Chicago Blackhawks and won the Calder Trophy (top rookie). Kane recorded two assists against BU back in 2005 as savvy 17 year old.

You better watch out, because BU doesn’t want these pups ruining their celebration.