Earlier this summer, I wrote a preview of BU based on some questions I had
received.  At this point in time, with the Pro-Am's out of the way and prime
Pro-signing period gone (based on when we've lost people in the past), I would
like to update what I said earlier.  I'm using my old preview as a skeleton.
 
 
>
>BU has 5 incoming recruits this year (+ there's always an unknown walk-on just
>about every year who winds up on the practice line or a fill-in for 4th line).
>
> Forwards:
>
> Chris Drury  (drafted 1994, 3rd rnd, Quebec)
 
Very good showing in the Pro-Am, even after his brother (Ted) left.  He is
looking like he could be either a very good 3rd liner or a very questionable
1st liner.  He obviously could be right in between.
 
> Mike Sylvia  (rated but left undrafted)
 
At THIS point in time, my opinion has not changed.  The best comparison would
be to getting one Bavis twin back.
 
>
> Defensemen:
>
> Jeff Kealty  (drafted 1994, 1st rnd, Quebec)
 
Skill is most definitely there.  STRENGTH, however, is not.  This boy needs
meat... and fast!  I agree with Quebec... in two years... WATCH OUT!  But for
now, he will remind people of a cross between Kaj Linna and the Scarecrow.
 
> Chris Kelleher  (drafted 1993, 5th rnd, Pittsburgh)
 
My opinions are only more solid than before.  Beef and the tools are there,
the heart, however, is very questionable.  Could he be whipped into shape or
do we have another Steve Foster???  Maybe he just needs to be in fear of the
bench, his coach, or both!
 
>
> Goalie:
>
> Tom Noble  (drafted 1993, 11th rnd, Chicago)
 
Based on his performance in the Olympic Festival in St. Louis, I appear to have
been wrong about him.  Although he struggled early, he made the adjustment and
went on to become the winning goaltender in the championship game, making save
after save in OT.  Perhaps he will just need time to develop into a div I
goalie.  Perhaps he just needs it to be a play-off game for him to step up his
game.  I seriously questioned his ability when BU signed him, but it looks like
this kid has potential after all.  We'll have to see.
 
>
>
>
> As of this moment, none of the BU players have signed to the NHL early.
> Pomichter is still a big threat to go, and I would not be shocked to see him
> take off at the end of the summer.
 
Well, he did go.  But more importantly than it coming as no shock to me is that
it came as no shock to Parker.  Would we be better with Pomichter?  Yes.  Will
it kill BU to lose him?  Hardly.  We all wish him luck, but BU won/will win
with depth, not a star.  Pomichter is not Amonte, McEachern, Tkachuk,
Thomlinson, or even Sacco.  We lost a good player, not a "franchise" player.
 
> Brennan, however, fully intends to return (And his Dad fully intends that he
> will return to college) at this point.  Not to knock him, but after his
> performance in the Championship game, I am sure his NHL stock fell thousands of
> dollars.  It was one of his worst performances ever... and it was in front of
> the largest audience (present and TV) of his life.  He has to return to at
> *least* return his NHL stock (how much they give him) back to a respectable
> level.
 
He's taking classes this summer, and his skill really showed in the Pro-Am.
 
>
>
> Will BU be clear favorites...
>
> Oi Yivay...  (sp?)
>
> Positives at this point in time:
>    Experience (mostly seniors)
>    Depth, especially on defense (8 strong and capable defensemen makes this
       the
>      second deepest year at BU since I've been involved (1988).  This is not
>      the 1990-91 team (9 deep at D, a 2-time All American on 3rd line, and
>      winners of the "best defensive forward of N.E." on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
>      lines), but it is deeper than almost all of their opponents.  This year
>      will also have 3 goalies who have been drafted by the NHL.)
 
Depth has already played a part when BU lost 2nd team All-American goalie J.P.
McKersie.  At least BU has two other goalies who are NHL draft picks.  Depth
in a long season is VERY important.
 
>    8 players getting experience in the Olympic Festival at this moment.
>    Frustration.  Most of the team has been working out on their own or in small
>      groups with what *appears* to be an unusual tenacity.  Shayne Johnson
>      seems to want to be the most in-shape player in all of Hockey East while
>      Joubert appears to be kicking some butts to get running and working more
>      than it appeared that they have in the past.
 
This seems to have calmed down into more of a normal level.  We'll have to see
what their attitude is like when the season begins.
 
>    Jacques Joubert.  I think he will be the best captain since Mike Sullivan
>      (1989-90).  He wants to win and he knows how to.  Many of us are curious
>      of who will kick more butt during the year, he or Parker... most of us
>      think Joubert will. :-)  The bottom line is that Jacques seems to have
>     an attitude that he wants to win every single game this year and he won't
>      put up with anyone giving less than 100%.  Everybody everywhere wants to
>      win... but Jacques doesn't want to lose *any*.
>
My opinion of Joubert has not changed.  As a matter of fact, after becoming
what the announcers called the "darling of the tourney" in the Olympic
Festival, my opinion of his skills may be increasing.
 
> Negatives at this point in time:
>
>   Mostly senior group is something I do not think Parker is very used to.  He
>    has not had to deal with that many players before whose playing time could
>    not be cut next year.  Sometimes seniors step up to a new level...
>    sometimes seniors can "go south" on you and just roll over.  You never
>    know.
>  Too many players to keep them all happy.  You do the math... 8 defensemen
>    yet only 6 play... that leaves 2 defensemen pretty unhappy.  I think
>    Parker was expecting/hoping that a couple of players would turn pro early,
>    and may be a little overwhelmed if none do.
 
Well, at goalie, this situation no longer exists.  Only on defense is there a
problem, and that could be taken care of is someone like Chris O'Sullivan is
moved up to forward.  In the Pro-Am's, he was moved up front for 2 games and,
in the game I saw, scored 5 goals while adding 2 assists.  I believe Chris is
the sniper that BU has been so sorely lacking.  (I would still move him back
to the point on the power-play, though.)
 
> Lack of a sniper.  Unless one of the frosh stuns us, BU will again not have
>    a line to put on the ice at crunch time.  BU can win many games, but will
>    probably again not be able to put teams away easily.
 
See Chris O'Sullivan.
 
>  8 players at the Olympic Festival.  If too many do really well, there could
>    be an unexpected defection to the pros if the pros find they really like
>    the way someone is performing.
 
Not to worry.
 
>  Frustration.  BU can NOT face LSSU in the tourney again.  If BU plays LSSU,
>    it would be "B.C. syndrome."  As soon as something went wrong, everyone
>    would say, "oh, here we go again!"  BU's ultra-predictable positional
>    play does not match-up well against an LSSU defense which counts on you
>    doing the appropriate move every time.  Although I hate to agree with
>    Neil Goldberg, BU will have some emotional baggage to overcome.
>  Intensity from a captain is a good thing 8 out of 10 times.  There is,
>    however, that possibility that too much intensity can lead to dissention
>    on the team.  How much would a senior take from another senior.  Who
>    knows?
>  Emotional fluctuations.  This is part of life in BU hockey.  There will be
>    a time when they will be playing badly, and there will be a time when they
>    are on a roll and seem invincible.  The question is when will each thing
>    happen.  Will being a senior team make them less subject to emotional
>    swings or just lethargic.  Again... who knows?
>
 
All of this remains the same.  BU, like any college team (heck, what makes
college hockey soooo great), has to deal with emotional fluctuations.
 
>
> So essentially, would I pick BU to do well?  Yes.
> Would I pick BU to win Hockey East?  They are the clear favorites.
> Would I pick BU to win the Beanpot?  (see emotional fluctuation)
> Would I pick BU to get the #1 seed in the East?  It's a descent possibility.
> Would I pick BU to win the whole thing?  Well...
 
Ditto.
 
>
>
> We'll see.
>
>
> Tony  BU'92'93
> Former Ogre
>
>
> PS - remember BU people... the national championship is decided on the ice in
> the first weekend in April, not in a vote in December.
>
 
 
PPS - One player that is impressing me VERRRRY much this summer is Mike Grier.
He seems to have lost some weight and has definitely improved his speed.  Until
he had to leave for the Select Team in Finnland, he was tearing up the Pro-Am,
and NOT WITH HIS HITTING!!!  He and Chris O'Sullivan (if moved to forward)
could be the surprise players of BU.
 
Tony  BU'92'93
Former Ogre