Boston University Terriers 2026 Offseason Thread

[lifeoncommave]

Any early word on line combos / who's playing with whom?

 

[Dave in DC]

To answer Scarlet's question: #3 feels a bit high. The media ranking had them at #5 which seems more likely.

To address MPG1121's observation. (Forwards? What forwards?) I count 6 key forwards who are capable of making statistical gains as they develop. If at least 1/2 of them achieve this jump, they should be an NCAA bubble team come March.

And not for nothing, the goalie needs to steal some games. He was mediocre at best last year.

And finally, as a college hockey fan, this is a must read: AZ State: Inside The Workout That Left a Player on Life Support

I agree Yegorov was disappointing last year. He has shown he can be better. Some part of that I chalk up to the maddening lazy drop passes that went to the wrong stick. Team needs to break out cleanly. PP was dreadful, but that was the single worst aspect of their game for me.

 

[defkit]

My two biggest keys to the season:
1. Can Barone, Wismer, Amico, and Trethewey play top-4 (defensive) hockey so that XV can create offense and Wang can develop? (I know we can expect some offense from some of the first 4 listed, but we need better play in our own zone).
2. Can our returning sophomore "skill" wingers (Ritchie, Murtagh, Fondrk) each get at least 12 goals, with at least one breaking 20? Will Aaram-Olsen challenge for a top two line spot?

The knowns:
- Frechette, Celebrini on d - I don't expect much development at this point. They are seniors we know what they bring. Not bad, but on a top10 team, they should be on the third pairing.
- Same for Harvey - we know what he brings. He will be streaky, but would love to see him get 15-18 goals.
- The center position is a strength, with known/expected strong 2-way play. Lawrence, Morello, Bednarik, and Malhotra. Svoboda is a more than ample extra center.
- Merrill and Roukunakis will bring their great combination of skill and physicality.

 

[Rogie21]

My two biggest keys to the season:
1. Can Barone, Wismer, Amico, and Trethewey play top-4 (defensive) hockey so that XV can create offense and Wang can develop? (I know we can expect some offense from some of the first 4 listed, but we need better play in our own zone).
2. Can our returning sophomore "skill" wingers (Ritchie, Murtagh, Fondrk) each get at least 12 goals, with at least one breaking 20? Will Aaram-Olsen challenge for a top two line spot?

Spot on as always. BU very possible will line up with four right-shot Ds. Baron, Trethewey, Celebrini (whom Pandolfo seems to trust) and Amico, who was excellent this summer at the WJSS where he played games on his off side.

One more key, of course, is Yegorov. Improved consistency in goal is linked to improved play in the defensive zone by both Ds and Fs.

 

[Scarlet]

Pre-season ranked #16. Again, too high? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[defkit]

Pre-season ranked #16. Again, too high? Maybe, maybe not.

Seems about right. With 5 road games to start the season, this team will have every opportunity to "gel" as a team and get off to a strong start before the tough MSU and Denver series (and QU).

 

[Dave in DC]

Seems about right. With 5 road games to start the season, this team will have every opportunity to "gel" as a team and get off to a strong start before the tough MSU and Denver series (and QU).

I agree. BU seldom starts or ends the year outside the top 20, and this is the lowest we've been ranked to start the season in some time. Seems fair--and a proper hedge position--after falling all the way out of the rankings after starting at #2 last year. It won't take so long to drop out again if they start poorly.