After months of careful consideration, the 16-year-old defenseman from suburban Montreal committed to play at Boston College. To prepare mentally and physically for the Hockey East conference, Matheson will spend next season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, who hold his United States Hockey League rights.

[Michael] Matheson, who turns 17 next month, has been projected as high-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. He rejected an opportunity to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, which pegged him as its No. 1 prospect last spring, because it would have jeopardized his college eligibility.