Boston College Athletics
Hockey Prepares for Season Opener Against Ohio State
June 21, 1999 | Men's Hockey
October 9-10, 1998
Mariucci Arena - Minneapolis, Minnesota
The 78th Season ... When the puck drops on October 9, Boston College will begin its 78th season of ice hockey competition. The Eagles have compiled a record of 1,085-639-76, a .624 winning percentage, in their 77 varsity seasons.
The Coach ... Jerry York enters his fifth season at Boston College. He has amassed a 70-67-14 (.510) record at the Heights. He currently ranks eighth on the all-time NCAA winningest coaches list with 537 victories.
SERIES FACTS BC vs. Ohio State
BC leads the series: 2-1.
Leading scorers vs. the Buckeyes:
G A P Brian Gionta 1 2 3 Andy Powers 1 1 2 Jeff Farkas 1 0 1 Blake Bellefeuille 0 1 1 Mike Mottau 0 1 1 Rob Scuderi 0 1 1
The Last Meeting: April 2, 1998 BC 5, OSU 2 -- Junior Marty Reasoner tallied two goals, including the gamewinner, and added an assist to lead the Eagles to a 5-2 victory in the NCAA Tournaments semifinal round. Freshman Brian Gionta scored BCs first goal and added two assists, including an assist on Reasoners gamewinner. Freshman Scott Clemmensen made 18 saves to notch his 24th win of the year.
On a National Scale ... The Eagles begin the year ranked #1 by US College Hockey Online, Hockey News and Let's Play Hockey. They have attained a #3 ranking by The Sporting News and USA Today/American Hockey Magazine.
The Unfriendly Confines ... BC returns to Minneapolis for its third regular-season tournament. The Eagles were winless in two games in the 1996 Mariucci Classic. Senior captain Brendan Buckley notched one goal against Clarkson in the consolation game of that tournament ... BC also competed in the 1991 Mariucci Classic, losing 5-3 to both Bowling Green and Providence. Current BC head coach Jerry York was the head coach at BGSU in that tournament.
Coaching Connection ... Ohio State's head coach, Jerry Markell, concluded his collegiate career at Bowling Green in March 1979. Jerry York became the head coach of Bowling Green in April 1979.
Winning Streak ... Prior to the NCAA Tournament's championship game, the Eagles were riding a 14-game unbeaten streak. In that time BC went 12-0-2. The Eagles record in the calendar year 1998 is a stellar 17-3-3.
Out of Conference, Still in Mind ... BC went 8-4-1 in non-conference games last winter. The Eagles were 3-2 against the CCHA, 1-0 against the WCHA and 4-2-1 against the ECAC.
Offensive Power Returns ... Despite the early departure of Marty Reasoner to the NHL, the Eagles return eight of their top 10 scorers from last winter. BC returns 79 percent of its goals and 78 percent of its total points from last season.
A Youth Movement ... Four freshmen from last season's squad earned HOCKEY EAST All-Rookie Team honors-- forward Brian Gionta, goaltender Scott Clemmensen, and defensemen Bobby Allen and Rob Scuderi. Gionta was also named the 1997-98 HOCKEY EAST Rookie of the Year.
The NHL Awaits ... Nine BC players have already been selected in the NHL Entry Draft. Sophomore Bobby Allen was selected by the Boston Bruins (2nd round/1998); senior Brendan Buckley was selected by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (5th/1996); junior Kevin Caulfield was chosen by the Washington Capitals (5th/1997); goaltender Scott Clemmensen was selected by the New Jersey Devils (8th/1997); junior Jeff Farkas was picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd/1997); sophomore Brian Gionta was chosen by New Jersey (3rd/1998); junior Mike Mottau was selected by the New York Rangers (7th/1997); sophomore Rob Scuderi was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins (5th/1998); and junior Tony Hutchins was chosen by the St. Louis Blues (8th/1996).
Captain Buckley ... Senior Brendan Buckley will have the "C" on his sweater for the Eagles this season. Buckley is the most experienced Eagle, having played in 115 games in his first three seasons. He served as the teams alternate captain last season.
Our Mottau is ... Junior assistant captain Mike Mottau returns after leading the nation's defensemen in scoring last winter with 49 points. Outstanding at both ends of the ice, he is regarded as one of the nation's premier defensemen.
Yes Masters ... Senior Chris Masters will also serve as assistant captain this winter. Masters is considered one of the best face-off men in HOCKEY EAST. He is a vital component to the Eagles penalty kill unit. His size and strength help to shut down opponents deep in their offensive zone. Masters added eight goals last season.
The Mighty Gionta ... Brian Gionta returns for his sophomore campaign after a sensational rookie year in which he tallied 30 goals and 32 assists. He led HOCKEY EAST with 22 goals in 24 conference games. Gionta led the team with six game-winning tallies. Gionta earned HOCKEY EAST and New England Writers Rookie of the Year honors last winter.
Belle-feuille tolls three ... Blake Bellefeuille returns for his third year at the Heights. Bellefeuillle tied for fourth on the team with 39 points last year, and ranked third on the team with 19 goals. He notched nine power-play goals.
Stonewall Clemmensen ... Sophomore netminder Scott Clemmensen became BC's regular goaltender three games into the 1997-98 season and never relinquished the position. He finished the season with 24 victories, a BC freshman record. Clemmensen established a NCAA regular-season record for consecuive shutout minutes with 254:23. Clemmensen ranked second in HOCKEY EAST with 14 conference wins. He posted four shutouts, a BC record.
Fond of Farkas ... Junior Jeff Farkas returns after a break-out season in which he tallied 11 goals and 28 assists. Farkas notched two power-play goals and one short-handed tally last winter.
The New Crop ... BC welcomes three newcomers who are sure to make an immediate impact. Forward Ales Dolinar (East Northport, N.Y.) comes to the Heights after three years at Lawrence (Mass.) Academy. He earned All-New England honors as a senior ... Jeff Giuliano (Nashua, N.H.) also earned All-New England honors as a senior. Giuliano was a center for St. Pauls ... Defenseman Brooks Orpik (East Amherst, N.Y.) is the third Eagle to come from Thayer (Mass.) Academy. He joins Mike Mottau and Kevin Caulfield as former Thayer stars at BC.
A-Line ... One of BC's most prolific lines should be the combination of Jeff Farkas, Blake Bellefeuille, and Mike Lephart. The three combined for 105 points last season, including 45 goals.
On the Horizon ... Following the Icebreaker Cup, the Eagles return to Chestnut Hill to face-off against the University of Toronto Blues in an exhibition game on Oct. 16. BC begins its HOCKEY EAST slate on Oct. 30 when UMass-Lowell comes to Kelley Rink. BC will travel to Lowell on Halloween to complete the home-and-home series.
SLAP SHOTS
* The Eagles 28 victories were the most at the Heights since 1989-90 when BC went 28-13-1.
* Gionta's HOCKEY EAST Rookie of the Year award was the fifth for BC. He was the first Eagle to earn the award since Ian Moran in the 1991-92 season.
* Gionta's 30 goals last season set a BC freshman record.
* BC's Brian Gionta and Mike Mottau are leading candidates for the HOCKEY EAST Player of the Year award. The Eagles havent collected that accolade since 1991 when David Emma captured the honor. Emma also earned the Hobey Baker Award that season.
* The Eagles were the highest scoring offense in HOCKEY EAST last season. BC averaged 4.55 goals per game.
* Boston College had the highest power play percentage in HOCKEY EAST last winter. The Eagles tallied 36 power-play goals in 134 opportunities (26.87 percent) during conference play.
* Current Eagles in the NHL: Doug Brown (Detroit); Bill Guerin (Edmonton); Steve Heinze (Boston); Craig Janney (Phoenix); Brian Leetch (New York Rangers); Marty McInnis (Calgary); Ian Moran (Pittsburgh); Marty Reasoner (St. Louis), Kevin Stevens, (New York Rangers).
