By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
Boston College started off slow this season, with non-conference losses to Quinnipiac and Denver, before being swept by Northeastern in the opening weekend of Hockey East play. The Eagles, led by several Bruins’ prospects, have since rattled off four straight wins, sweeping the University of Vermont and UMass-Amherst. Perhaps their biggest difference-maker has been the emergence of 2024 1st-round pick Dean Letourneau. Through 11 games this season, the Braeside, Ontario, native has tripled his freshman year point total from last season and has seen his time on ice increase significantly. Letourneau had another big weekend this week, but how did everyone else do?
Europe
Vashek Blanar this week for HV71 (SHL): One game played, no points, no penalties, Even Plus/Minus.
Blanar did not see any action despite dressing for HV71’s men’s team in a 5-0 win over Leksands IF on Saturday. The Czechia native has suited up three times for their senior team, but has yet to play a shift.
Liam Pettersson this week for the Vaxjo Lakers (J20 Nationell): One game played, no points, no penalties, Even Plus/Minus.
Pettersson finally returned to game action Saturday after missing nearly two months of play. Unfortunately, Vaxjo lost 4-1 to Linkoping.
Kirill Yemelyanov this week for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL): Three games played, two goals, one assist, 25 penalty minutes, +3 rating.
Yemelyanov continues to steadily produce in the MHL, remaining at a point-per-game pace. The 25 penalty minutes occurred on Tuesday against Spartak Moscow, where he got a five-minute major for kicking as well as a 20-minute game misconduct.
Juniors
Cole Chandler this week for the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL): Three games played, three goals, five penalty minutes, -4 rating.
After a long goal-less streak, Chandler has five goals in his last four games with the Cataractes. He is committed to Northeastern for next season.
Cooper Simpson this week for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): Two games played, one goal, one assist, two penalty minutes, -1 rating.
Simpson is second in scoring in the USHL and continues to dominate offensively. He is committed to the University of North Dakota.
NCAA
Elliott Groenewold this week for Quinnipiac University (ECAC): One game played, no points, no penalties, +1 rating.
James Hagens this week for Boston College (Hockey East): Two games played, one goal, one assist, two penalty minutes, +1 rating.
Hagens has yet to improve upon the point-per-game pace he scored at last season, but he is tied for the team lead in points on BC with 11. It feels like he’s due to break out.
Beckett Hendrickson this week for the University of Minnesota (Big Ten): Two games played, one goal, two assists, two penalty minutes, +4 rating.
Kristian Kostadinski this week for Boston College (Hockey East): Two games played, no points, no penalties, +1 rating.
Mason Langenbrunner this week for Harvard University (ECAC): Two games played, one assist, two penalty minutes, Even Plus/Minus.
Dean Letourneau this week for Boston College (Hockey East): Two games played, one goal, three assists, two penalty minutes, +4 rating.
A monster weekend for Letourneau has him up to 3rd on BC in scoring behind Hagens and Jake Sondreal.
William Moore this week for Boston College (Hockey East): Two games played, one assist, no penalties, +1 rating.
Jonathan Morello this week for Boston University (Hockey East): One game played, no points, no penalties, +1 rating.
Casper Nassen this week for Miami (OH) University (NCHC): Two games played, one assist, no penalties, -2 rating.
Chris Pelosi this week for Quinnipiac University (ECAC): One game played, two assists, no penalties, +1 rating.
Philip Svedeback this week for Providence College (Hockey East): Two games played, 1-1-0 record, .875% save percentage, 2.50 Goals-Against-Average.
Ryan Walsh this week for Cornell University (ECAC): Two games played, three goals, no penalties, +2 rating.
It was a big weekend for Walsh, who in addition to scoring three goals, was also named to the U.S. Collegiate Selects team for the Spengler Cup.
Will Zellers this week for the University of North Dakota (NCHC): Two games played, two goals, two penalty minutes, +1 rating.
Zellers has five goals in his last five games, as he continues to impress at North Dakota. He’s making a serious push for a spot on the US World Junior Team.
Providence and Maine
Providence went 2-1-0 this week, including an overtime win on Saturday over the Utica Comets, where Dans Locmelis had two goals, including the overtime winner. Fabian Lysell had a goal and two assists this week, while Loke Johansson earned a call-up to Providence from Maine. In his first three AHL games, Johansson had no points or penalties and had an Even Plus/Minus rating.
Elsewhere, Riley Tufte and Matej Blumel were called up to Boston due to the B’s ongoing injury crisis. Johnny Beecher was placed on waivers yesterday for the purpose of assignment to Providence. At the time of writing, it is not yet known whether or not he will clear.
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