Boston College Athletics
2000-01 Men's Hockey Outlook
August 24, 1999 | Men's Hockey
As the 1999-2000 hockey season approaches, Boston College is preparing diligently. Coming off back-to-back HOCKEY EAST Tournament titles and two consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament's Frozen Four, the Eagles have no reason to change their ways.
Since Jerry York assumed the reins in 1994 and began rebuilding the proud program, the themes have been constant and the results have been impressive.
"We want to continue to stress the fundamentals of hard work, discipline and a team-first attitude," York said. "I think we've established a winning atmosphere, and maintaining the themes of hard work, common goals and good teammates are conducive to having more winning teams."
York also can look favorably on the 15 returning lettermen he'll be directing this winter. Included among the group are two 1998-99 Titan All-America first team selections - senior defenseman Mike Mottau and junior forward Brian Gionta. Mottau, considered by many to be the nation's top blueliner, provides the Eagles with a solid defensive defenseman as well as a potent force at the offensive end. Gionta, meanwhile, is recognized as a dangerous and creative forward. His 60-point efforts in each of his first two collegiate seasons are evidence enough.
Yet, the Eagles have much more. York specifically mentions the team's strength in its own end.
"To be successful in HOCKEY EAST, you have to be strong and deep on defense and in goal," the coach said. "I feel very, very good about Scott Clemmensen returning for his third year. He's battle-tested and has a great understanding of what it means to be consistent. With the addition of two freshman goaltenders, we've established depth and quality at this position.
"We also have five returning defensemen who have all played key roles over the past few seasons."
Clemmensen's two-year totals are nothing short of spectacular. The Urbandale, Iowa product has registered a remarkable 50 wins, while recording a 2.81 goals against average.
Among those joining Mottau in front of Clemmensen is junior Bobby Allen. Allen, who was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, played a key role in the Eagles' post-season run last winter. He captured All-Tournament honors at both the HOCKEY EAST Tournament and the NCAA Tournament's West Regional. He finished sixth on the team's scoring list with 32 points.
Seniors Blake Bellefeuille and Jeff Farkas join Gionta as leaders among the forwards. Bellefeuille, who'll serve as assistant captain this winter, and Farkas both enter their final years with more than 120 points to their credit. York believes both are poised for their finest seasons yet.
And the same could be true of the 1999-2000 Eagles.
"We understand how hard it is to win at this level and how difficult it is to be successful based on the last two years," the coach said. "The effort we've had to win (two) HOCKEY EAST championships and to get to (two) Frozen Fours -- it takes a lot of talent, a lot of skill, hard work and a degree of luck to do that.
"But our goal's always to be among the nation's elite programs on a consistent basis and this year we start from scratch - with high goals and lofty expectations like we always do here at Boston College."
ON OFFENSE
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 9/4
Newcomers: 4
"One of our real strengths as we enter this season will be the fact that our offensive attack will be very diversified and balanced."
The Eagles enter the 1999-2000 season with their top four scorers - and eight of their top 10 scorers - returning. All totaled, the returning lettermen accounted for 77.4 percent of last season's points, including 77.6 percent of the goals.
Leading the list of returnees are seniors Blake Bellefeuille and Jeff Farkas, and junior Brian Gionta.
"Brian, Jeff and Blake are three of the elite forwards in college hockey. There'll be a lot of emphasis on these three players leading us in the offensive parts of the game," York said. "Together, they really form a trio of highly-skilled, hard-working players."
Gionta needs little introduction. After capturing All-America and All-HOCKEY EAST second team accolades as a freshman, the Rochester, N.Y. product raised his game to another level in 1998-99. He became just the fourth player in BC history to register 60 points for a second consecutive season. He joined current NHL veterans Marty McInnis and Steve Heinze as one of only three Eagles this decade to record three hat tricks in one season. At year's end, his efforts were rewarded with All-America and All-HOCKEY EAST first team honors. He also captured USA Hockey's Bob Johnson Award, recognizing excellence in international ice hockey competition.
"In his two years here, Brian has certainly shown that he ranks among the nation's elite players," York said. "Enthusiasm and a never-say-die attitude are Brian's trademarks. In addition, his skill level and his strength on his skates are remarkable attributes to his game. We certainly feel he's a game-breaker."
Farkas is another proven commodity. In three years at BC, he's registered 132 points - 56 goals and 76 assists - in 118 games. In his first two seasons at the Heights, Farkas recorded 24 goals. As a junior last winter, he tallied 57 points, including 32 goals. His goal total tied him for second among the nation's leaders.
"I think Jeff has improved steadily during his career here," York said. "He's certainly one of the dominant players on the national scene. He's really matured physically and emotionally to become an exemplary leader in our program."
Bellefeuille rounds out the trio. Sometimes overshadowed, he made his mark in the HOCKEY EAST Tournament's title game last March, netting the game-winning goal in overtime against New Hampshire. He also garnered the tournament's MVP award. At year's end, he'd tallied 49 points - 24 goals and 25 assists. He led the team and ranked second in the nation with 13 power-play goals.
"Blake has gotten stronger each year and I fully expect his senior year to be the best of his four years," York said. "I think his MVP in the HOCKEY EAST Championship series reflects just how important he is to our club. His strength on his skates, his forechecking skills and his tremendous work ethic are great examples for our team."
However, the Eagles are far from limited to these three individuals. While many opponents will focus their efforts on BC's "Big Three", York and his staff also return six additional forwards - each of whom has contributed to the team's success over the last two seasons.
The coach believes both senior Kevin Caulfield and junior Mike Lephart are ready for breakthrough years.
Caulfield, who registered 16 points in 41 games last winter, has been a strong two-way player for the Eagles. A Hyde Park, Mass. resident and Thayer Academy product, Caulfield utilizes his size and strength to make positive things happen at both ends of the ice.
"Kevin certainly brings a power-forward type player onto our team," York said. "I believe it's a necessity to have that type of player."
Lephart registered 27 points - 11 goals and 16 assists - in 36 games last season. He missed seven games - two in November and five in January/February - because of injuries. A skilled player, he seems prepared to raise his play this winter.
"If Mike can stay relatively injury free this season, I believe he could have a banner year in HOCKEY EAST," York said.
Senior Tony Hutchins is also expected to make strong contributions in his final season. A power forward who possesses one of the hardest shots on the team, he tallied 13 points last winter.
Completing the list of returnees are junior Mark McLennan, and sophomores Jeff Giuliano and Ales Dolinar.
McLennan saw action in 18 games last winter, notching one assist.
Giuliano registered 20 points - five goals and 15 assists - in his rookie campaign. The Nashua, N.H. product showed steady improvement as the 1998-99 season progressed. In fact, he netted each of his five goals in the season's final 12 games, including the game-winning goal in the Eagles' win over North Dakota in the NCAA Tournament's quarterfinal round.
Dolinar was a solid contributor in his freshman season. He finished the year with eight points - three goals and five assists - in 38 contests.
The Eagles also will welcome four newcomers to the line-up - Krys Kolanos, Jeremy Wilson, Paul Kelly and A.J. Walker. Kolanos earned Alberta Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year honors last winter, tallying 110 points in 58 games for the Calgary Royals. Wilson joins fellow Cushing Academy alum Bobby Allen on the Eagles' roster. Kelly captured All-New England honors at Northfield-Mount Hermon in 1998-99, while Walker played a key role in leading Shattuck St. Mary's to the 1999 Tier I midget national championship. The Faribault, Minn. product tallied 127 points in 74 games for head coach Andy Murray, who has since taken over as head coach of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.
"The four incoming freshmen will all be expected to contribute this year," York said. "As a veteran coach, I'm fully aware that we have to be patient with young players no matter what type of productivity they've had in their junior careers. We feel it's a good recruiting class, and we'll need the four forwards to come forward and help our club."
ON DEFENSE
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 5/1
Newcomers: 2
"We're very excited because of our talent and depth from the blueline on back. We have five returning defensemen who have all played key roles for us during their careers, and now they're veterans and proven leaders."
Once again this year, York and his staff enter the season with great confidence in their defensive corps. Led by Mike Mottau and Bobby Allen, five "real top-end" players return to the BC blueline.
Mottau's credentials - and determination -- are unquestioned. Solid and sometimes spectacular at the defensive end of the ice, the Avon, Mass. resident is most renowned for his skill at the offensive end. Last winter, he finished fourth on the Eagles with 42 points. His 39 assists ranked him among nation's top defensemen in that category. At year's end, he captured All-America first team honors and received the prestigious Walter Brown Award as the top American-born player in New England.
Still, he never stopped. Mottau started the off-season by playing with the U.S. National Team in the World Championships in Norway. The only collegiate player on Team USA, he registered three points in three games. When he returned from Europe, he returned to the Boston College weight room, where he dedicated himself to the team's strength and conditioning program.
Allen, much like Mottau, is equally effective at both ends of the ice. A stellar defenseman in his own end, Allen also possesses an offensive gift. Last year, he registered 32 points - nine goals and 23 assists - in 43 games. As the Eagles began their post-season run, Allen was at the top of his game. He earned HOCKEY EAST All-Tournament accolades, tallying one goal and five assists in four conference playoff games. He also captured All-Tournament honors in the NCAA Tournament's West Regional in Madison, Wisc.
"First and foremost, they're outstanding student-athletes and they really impact our team and our program in a lot of different ways," York said of Mottau and Allen. "Their hard work and enthusiasm, and just the talent they bring to our program, are certainly mainstays of the success we've had the last couple of years."
And the coach couldn't leave it at that.
"Both Bobby and Mike impact the game from a lot of different perspectives," he continued. "They're very physical so they're going to win the majority of their one-on-one contests along the boards and in front of the net. They also handle the puck very well, they're keys to breaking the puck out of our zone, and they're dangerous offensive players."
Also returning as proven players are juniors Marty Hughes and Rob Scuderi, and sophomore Brooks Orpik. Hughes played in all 43 games last winter, registering 11 points, including the Eagles' lone goal in the NCAA Tournament's semifinal round against Maine. Scuderi tallied 10 points in 41 games, while Orpik finished his freshman season with 11 points in 41 games. Orpik's lone goal was a gamewinner in overtime against UMass-Amherst.
Freshmen Bill Cass and Anthony D'Arpino join the defensive corps. Cass played his first two years of high school hockey at Catholic Memorial (Mass.) High School before moving on to play two seasons for head coach Jeff Jackson on the US National Development Team. D'Arpino played two seasons at Avon Old Farms (Conn.) and, after receiving his diploma, spent the 1998-99 season playing for the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League.
"Both Bill and Anthony will see ice time this year," York said. "I think we have the opportunity, because of the five veteran defensemen, to break both players in slowly, in roles that they won't have to be impact players. I think that'll help them adjust to HOCKEY EAST. It's a big adjustment to play at this level. I think they'll watch and observe the older players and, hopefully by second semester, they'll be able to help our club."
IN GOAL
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 1/2Newcomers: 2
"Certainly Scott (Clemmensen) is our clear-cut number one goaltender. He earned that situation. However, we're impressed especially with the play of Timmy Kelleher throughout his prep school career. We'll make every effort to give Timmy some ice time, but it's certainly Scott's job."
Junior Scott Clemmensen returns as the Eagles' top netminder for a third straight season. As a freshman, Clemmensen earned an impressive 24 victories and played a key role in the Eagles capturing the 1998 HOCKEY EAST Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament's title game. Last winter, the Urbandale, Iowa product continued his fine play. He gained a school single-season record 26 wins in net, raising his two-year total to 50 victories. Clemmensen also proved to be a stalwart, playing a BC single-season record 2507:19 in net. He played in every game, except the Eagles' final regular-season home game when York opted to use the team's two senior netminders.
This year York will look to two freshmen to spell Clemmensen. Tim Kelleher and Tom Egan join the Eagles after impressive prep-school careers. Kelleher earned All-New England honors as a senior at St. Sebastian's (Mass.). The Independent School League MVP, Kelleher played in 28 games in his final season, recording a 2.03 goals against average, a .910 save percentage and two shutouts.
Egan, who captured team MVP honors as a senior at the Canterbury (Conn.) School, was a key member of the school's 1996-97 team that won the New England prep school title.
THE SCHEDULE
The Eagles open the 1999-2000 season in Kelley Rink against Bowling Green on Friday, October 15. The game will pit York and his team against the school York led prior to returning to his alma mater.
BC's second game will mark the opening of its HOCKEY EAST slate. Merrimack will visit Chestnut Hill on Tuesday, October 19. The Eagles then embark on a three-game road swing, starting at UMass-Amherst on Sunday, October 23. BC then plays two games at the University of Minnesota. Last winter, the Eagles opened their season with two wins in Minnesota's Mariucci Arena to capture the IceBreaker Cup title.
Other highlights of the 1999-2000 schedule are a post-Christmas tournament in Burlington, Vermont that features Ohio State, Dartmouth and the host Catamounts, a home date against Brown to open the new millennium (Jan. 2), and, of course, the 48th annual Beanpot at the FleetCenter on February 7 and 14. BC will face Northeastern in the tournament's first round.
When the regular season comes to a close, the Eagles could return to some familiar sites for post-season action. The HOCKEY EAST Tournament's semifinal and championship games will be played at the FleetCenter again this year. The NCAA Tournament's regionals will be played in Minnesota's Mariucci Arena (West) and Albany's Pepsi Arena (East), the site of the Eagles' 1998 quarterfinal-round triumph over Colorado College. The Frozen Four will be played in the Providence (R.I.) Civic Center.
