BU Recruiting Update, Part 4

[Rogie21]

Four BU recruits are rostered for the World U18s that begin on Thursday: 2024 recruits Cole Hutson and Kai Janviriya for the US and 2023 recruits Macklin Celebrini (Canada) and Tom Willander (Sweden). NHL Network is televising the US games and some of Canada's (they're not in the same group), but unfortunately not Thursday's Canada-Sweden game.

[Boston22]

Does anyone know where to find the link to the United States roster, for the upcoming U18 tournament?

[DLG]

Tom Wilander of Sweden is listed as the number 12 European skater in central scoutings latest rankings

[Rogie21]

Does anyone know where to find the link to the United States roster, for the upcoming U18 tournament?

The US roster hasn't been officially announced. When it does, it will appear on the USA Hockey site and IIHF 2023 U18 page. Team USA is essentially the NTDP U18s with a few tweaks. BU recruit Cole Hutson and Minnesota recruit Cole Eiserman have been added from the NTDP U17s.

Hutson had three assists in a pre-tournament exhibition win over Czechia and now has 56 points which is the fourth best season total for any NTDP defensemen. He trails only Adam Fox (59), Lane Hutson (63) and Cam York (65). Those three all reached those totals in their U18 year.

[Rogie21]

The US roster hasn't been officially announced. When it does, it will appear on the USA Hockey site and IIHF 2023 U18 page. Team USA is essentially the NTDP U18s with a few tweaks. BU recruit Cole Hutson and Minnesota recruit Cole Eiserman have been added from the NTDP U17s.

Hutson had three assists in a pre-tournament exhibition win over Czechia and now has 56 points which is the fourth best season total for any NTDP defensemen. He trails only Adam Fox (59), Lane Hutson (63) and Cam York (65). Those three all reached those totals in their U18 year.

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/co...2024-nhl-draft

Cole had three assists vs. Latvia. Can he catch Lane today vs. Norway?

[Rogie21]

Final preliminary round games at the World U18s:

-RD Tom Willander had a goal and an assist in Sweden's 3-0 against Germany. With 2-2-4, he's fifth in scoring among D-men.
https://thehockeywriters.com/tom-wil...spect-profile/

-LD Cole Hutson (2024) had two assists in US' 10-0 win against Switzerland. His seven assists are tied for the tournament lead among D-men.
The 2 assists give him 63 points, tying him with Lane for 2nd most points in a single season by an NTDP D-man. https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/records

-C Macklin Celebrini had 2 assists in Canada's 8-3 win against Czechia. His seven points (1-6-7) are tied for the Team Canada scoring lead.

All three will play in Thursday's quarterfinals.

[mookie1995]

Is Celebrini a risk to jump to MJ?

[brassbonanza]

Is Celebrini a risk to jump to MJ?

Never say never, but it would not appear so. Fewer players than previous are doing that now.

[J.D.]

Is Celebrini a risk to jump to MJ?

I think the Auston Matthews route might be more likely than MJ. Matthews went from the US National team/USHL to Switzerland to play professionally and then right into the NHL. That was also 7-8 years ago so who knows. But with Celebrini looking like #1 overall pick I do think that is an option. Or he just sees what Fantilli did this year and does the same thing.

[meauxmo]

I think the Auston Matthews route might be more likely than MJ. Matthews went from the US National team/USHL to Switzerland to play professionally and then right into the NHL. That was also 7-8 years ago so who knows. But with Celebrini looking like #1 overall pick I do think that is an option. Or he just sees what Fantilli did this year and does the same thing.

How about the trio from BC? Any of them take a different route?

[J.D.]

How about the trio from BC? Any of them take a different route?

Well they all signed a NLI. Not to be confused with NIL.

[Rogie21]

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler included all three BU recruits in his analysis of World 18U Tournament Standouts and Risers.

Macklin Celebrini, C, Canada (2024): Celebrini was Canada’s best and most consistent player as an under-ager. His speed was noticeable. I liked him on the penalty kill and the power play. He was seeing and executing through seams with a lot of crispness. He is so, so strong/thick for his age and absorbs and plays through bumps extremely effectively, staying over pucks and extending sequences. Those tools combine with excellent puck protection skills to allow him to play a heavy-skill game. He’s just a quietly powerful player for a 6-foot kid. He’s not going to bully his way around the ice, but he commands play and imposes himself. He let the one-timer rip harder than I remember. It was fitting that it was him who scored the bronze-medal-winning goal in overtime. You can forget that he’s 16 when you watch him and I thought he widened the gap with fellow top 2024 prospect Cole Eiserman (who filled the net but also really frustrated throughout) in the tournament.

Cole Hutson, LHD, USA (2024): This Team USA didn’t have a horse that they’d lean on for 20+ minutes a night, but Hutson always found a way to make an impact playing 17-19 minutes in more of a rotation that gave him fresh legs to use his mobility. He was the most impressive 2024 defenceman in the tournament for me. He quickly identifies second and third options, often a step ahead of opposing structures. The way he shows one thing and does another is pretty unique. His little hesitations in control into quick, decisive attacking moments grab your attention and allow him to make plays. He had the puck on a string at times. I think he’s a better skater than his big brother (he snakes his way through gaps in coverage so effortlessly and his lateral agility on cuts is a major strength). He executed some beautiful stretch passes. He’s got great touch and feel on his backhand as well as his forehand. And he holds his own defensively despite being tiny.

Tom Willander, RHD, Sweden (2023): A horse for the Swedes, Willander was on my all-star ballot despite having been ejected for the third period of their semifinal win over Canada. He was consistently impactful at both ends. He played confident and decisive. And boy is he ever a beautiful, balanced skater (one of the best-skating D in the draft), both on his heels and moving forward. He pulls away or retreats from pressure with ease but is also an excellent outlet passer, which combine to contribute to a proficient game on zone exits. His head is always up. He got his shots through. He was just a two-way monster, as he has been with the national team all year. He’s a potential first-round pick for me at this point.

[Rogie21]

BU gets a commitment from goalie Max Lacroix, Colorado native who played the past two seasons at The Governor's Academy under former BU captain Brian McGuirk.

https://***********/StopItGoalies/st...794748928?s=20

[Rogie21]

Goalie Michael Chambre, who had been a 2023 BU recruit but missed most of his NTDP U18 season due to injuries, was drafted by Sioux Falls in the USHL Phase 2 draft. No confirmation yet but it has been suggested that he'll arrive at BU in 2024 after USHL season.

[BU Fan 84]

It sounds to me like we're going to have one potential starter-quality goalie and two third-string-quality goalies for this season? I hope this kid from Brown is both good and doesn't get tired nor injured easily.