Boston College Athletics
Hanifin to Represent BC at CCM Prospects Game
September 24, 2014 | Men's Hockey
Story Links: TSN's Bob McKenzie | Buffalo Sabres profile | The Hockey News feature | Players to Watch List
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College freshman defenseman Noah Hanifin will participate in the third annual CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game on Thursday, Sept. 25, at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
The CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game brings together approximately 40 top American-born prospects eligible for the National Hockey League Entry Draft, which takes place each spring. Players selected to compete in the game are chosen by USA Hockey in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.
Hanifin, a potentate for the U.S. National Under-18 Team in 2013-14, skates into The Heights as the Eagles' second-youngest skater in program history behind Adam Pineault.
The highly-touted, 6-3 blue liner is one of 32 players and just seven defenseman to receive an `A' rating on the NHL CSS Preliminary 2015 Players to Watch List released on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The entire list is comprised of 348 skaters from across the globe.
Typically, an `A' rating indicates a first-round selection candidate. Hanifin will be draft eligible for this year's 2015 NHL Entry Draft held on June 26-27, 2015 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. (home of the Florida Panthers).
"He is really skilled on the back end, can get the puck out skating or passing," Central Scouting's Greg Rajanen said. "He can lug the puck up the ice and dish in neutral ice; he's an elite skater, passer, and he runs the power play. He makes great decisions and is creative with the puck; he has all the components."
The Norwood, Mass., native is one of three current college hockey players slated to play in Thursday's showcase, joining Boston University's Jack Eichel (F) and University of Michigan's Zach Werenski (D). Thirty-one of 42 skaters in Thursday's prospects game have committed to play college hockey, including 11 from Hockey East.
In 2013-14, Hanifin registered 33 points, including eight goals and 25 assists, in 45 games played as a defenseman. At the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the local product captained Team USA to a gold medal, accounting for one goal and a pair of assists in six games played.
The 2014 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game airs on NHL Network Thursday (Sept. 25) at 7 p.m ET. Live updates are available by following @USAHockeyScores and live scoring is available on USAHockey.com.
