Men's Hockey Preview: The Forwards

September 20, 2016 | Men's Hockey

Colin White, the reigning Hockey East Rookie of the Year, is poised for big production this year and will help anchor the Eagles offensive attack.

FORWARDS
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 8/7
Newcomers: 7

York on Boston College's Forwards:
"The catalyst of our offense will rely on Colin (White), Austin (Cangelosi) and Ryan (Fitzgerald)." York said. "Even strength, power play, and short-handed, those players have shown great leadership skills so far, they're going to lift our whole offense. I like their work effort and their commitment to Boston College.

The incoming forwards are a good a crop of kids that we've brought in over the last year in regards to depth and quality. We've got 13 newcomers all-together. It's something we have to be patient with. Still looking to see who is going to emerge, and who is going to join our nucleus. We have to be patient with the number of first year players, but particularly at the forward position."

Ryan Fitzgerald anchored BC's goal scoring efforts with a team-best 24 markers, including 23 assists for a team-leading 47 points, while also finding a knack for timely scoring. The North Reading, Mass., native potted five game-winning goals which were tied for 11^th most in the country. Fitzgerald is poised for another break out year and is one of the more skilled players in the country, while being the current active leader in college hockey with 54 goals, and fifth in points (101).

Colin White, the reigning Hockey East Rookie of the Year, was second on the team in scoring after logging 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 2015-16. The Hanover, Mass., native, is poised for big production this year and will help anchor the Eagles offensive attack. In all of college hockey last season, White was fourth amongst all rookies with 43 points.

Austin Cangelosi, a speedy centerman, finished fourth in scoring for the Eagles last season and third in points (12-10-22) in Hockey East play. The Estero, Fla., native is a +34 for his career and looks to be a major contributor on the scoreboard and in the locker room as an assistant captain in 2016-17.

Senior captain Chris Calnan, arguably BC's most physical presence up front, notched 11 points (3-8-11) last season as an assistant captain. The Norwell, Mass. native will be counted on even more in a leadership role as Coach York bestowed the 'C' to the gritty forward this season.

Senior Matthew Gaudreau returns to the Heights for his final season after posting a career-high 21 points (4-17-21) last season – including 14 points (3-11-14) in Hockey East play. The Carneys Point, N.J. teamed up with C. Fitzgerald and White as the Eagles top-scoring line in 2015-16, combining for 84 points and a +43 plus/minus.

Chris Brown - one of six skaters to play in all 41 games – contributed to BC's offensive attack with 11 points (2-9-11) in 2015-16 during his rookie campaign. The Bloomsfield, Mich. native will be called upon for even more of an impact to help augment the departure of key veteran forwards from last year's squad.

JD Dudek and Chris Shero round out BC's returning veterans up front. Dudek appeared in 34 games as a freshman, and proved he could be an offensive threat with a two-goal performance against Vermont on March 13, while being named Hockey East Rookie of the Week. Shero, the Pittsburgh, Pa. native dressed for one game in his rookie campaign and will be a valuable asset throughout the season to the Eagles.

Julius Matilla, a slick forward from Tampere, Finland, joins twin brother Jesper as incoming freshman this year. Ju. Matilla, a left-handed shot, registered 56 points (21-35-56) over the course of 46 games in the Finnish U20 Elite League, helping lead Iives Tampere U20 to a league championship.

Graham McPhee, a fifth round draft choice by Edmonton, will look to be a key contributor immediately. A member of the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team, the Bethesda, Md., native was an integral part of the 2015-16 World Junior U-18 Championship team. McPhee will be following in his father, George, footsteps, as the elder McPhee won the 1982 Hobey Baker award while skating for Coach York at Bowling Green.

Zach Walker is a physical forward that was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team alongside Campoli, McPhee, Walker and Woll. The Boise, Idaho native is one of seven incoming forwards and should provide immediate depth up front.

Mike Booth, David Cotton, Ron Greco and Mike Merulla represent the remainder of the 2016-17 freshman forward class and will look to make an impact in their rookie season at The Heights. Booth, a Carey, Ill. native tallied 46 points (21-25-46) in 48 games for the USPHL South Shore Kings in 2015-16 that should carry over to the college ranks. Cotton, who stands at 6-foot 3-inches adds great size and physical presence, but also has a knack for scoring, as the Parker, Texas native tallied 30 points (15-15-30) in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks last year. Greco, another skater who played 2015-16 in the USPHL, played three season for the Philadelphia Flyers (USPHL) and left the program as the all-time leading scorer with 154 points (54-100-154) over 153 games. The nifty forward will add to the offensive attack at The Heights in 2016-17. Merulla split the previous season between the BCHL and NAHL, where he concluded his junior's career with the Aston Rebels with over a point a game average. The Kennett Square, Pa. native tallied 55 points (24-31-55) over 48 games with +19 rating.