Boston College Hockey Recruiting: 2013 Class Overview

Merry Christmas, Eagle fans. Here’s a present for you: a look at the ludicrously stacked 2013 incoming class for Boston College hockey. This class is good enough and deep enough to be considered the foundation of a potential championship team even if you disregard the fact that 1) they’ll be coming on to a team with a pretty good core of players to begin with, particularly if Arnold and Gaudreau don’t turn pro, and 2) the 2014 recruiting class is going to be another talented haul.

It’s been a good couple of years for Jerry York on the recruiting trail as the feats of the 2008 and 2010 teams, culminating a decade of BC dominating Hockey East with breakthroughs at the national level, are now being reflected in BC’s recruiting. The Eagles have bossed the New England recruiting scene for the past decade, but this list reflect’s BC’s growing presence nationwide.

And now, a look at the incoming class of 2013:

Thatcher Demko, goaltender
6'3, 168. DOB: 12/8/95
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Current team: US National Under-18 Team (USHL)

Demko, BC's most recent commit, is projected to be one of the best American goaltenders of his age group and a part of the national team picture. In 21 games this season for the US National Team Development Program in the USHL, Demko is 12-5-3 with a 2.33 GAA and .905 SV%. He also notably backstopped 2-2 ties against Minnesota and UNH in exhibitions.

Ian McCoshen, defenseman
6'3, 207. DOB: 8/5/95
Hometown: Hudson, WI
Current team: Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)

McCoshen is another elite-level draft prospect in the USHL, with strong two-way abilities. He is expected to be either a late first round or early second round pick in next year's NHL draft. In 16 games this season he has 2-7--9 line and, most impressively, a +19 plus/minus. The midwesterner turned some heads by picking BC over North Dakota and Minnesota-Duluth.

Adam Gilmour, forward
6'2, 193. DOB 1/29/94
Hometown: Hanover, Mass.
Current team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Gilmour, a 2012 fourth round pick of the Minnesota Wild, tore it up for Nobles in the Mass. prep league last season before moving on to Muskegon for a year in the USHL. He's been just as impressive at the next level, with a line of 10 goals & 12 assists in 28 games so far. Gilmour added 20 pounds before this season and combines size and speed to pose an all-around offensive threat to opponents.

Chris Calnan, forward
6'2, 185. DOB 4/10/94
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.
Current team: South Shore (EJHL)

Calnan is another Mass. prep school alum and NHL draftee, a third round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks. Hockeysfuture.com says that he "has the makings of a prototypical power forward" and calls him an effective top-six player. He has thrived in the EJHL, with 20 goals and 15 assists in 24 games.

Evan Richardson, forward
5'8, 170. DOB: 5-30-1994
Hometown: Nanaimo, B.C.
Current Team: Powell River Kings (BCHL)

Richardson leads his BCHL team in scoring with 24 points in 23 games, after putting up 55 in 48 games last year. A prototypical small BC forward with great playmaking ability, Richardson is expected to be an elite contributor right away. Richardson played for Canada West in last year's World Junior A Challenge.

Conor McGlynn, forward
6'2, 195. DOB: 6-19-1995
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
Current Team: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

McGlynn, a Hingham, Mass. native whose family moved to Greater Toronto during his childhood, is another highly touted player on the USA Hockey radar. He hasn't had a very good season statistically, with 3 points in 21 games, but he put up 25 points in 53 games last year in the OJHL for Oakville.

Scott Savage, defenseman
6'1, 170. DOB: 4/11/95
Hometown: San Clemente, Calif.
Current Team: US U-18 Team (USHL)

Savage is one of two stout and talented US U-18 defenseman coming to the Heights next year, along with Steve Santini. Scouts say that Savage is a bit raw (he started playing at 10, which is late by elite hockey standards), but has speed and skill that translate into an effective all-around game. Savage was invietd to the USA Hockey All-American Prospects showcase in Buffalo this season and is expected to be selected in the 2013 NHL Draft. He has 1 assist in 10 games for the USNTDP this year.

Steve Santini, defenseman
6'1, 205. DOB: 4-11-95
Hometown: Mahopac, N.Y.
Current Team: US U-18 Team (USHL)

Santini is another 2013 draft prospect plying his trade for the USNTDP. He's lauded by scouts for combining a big body with speed and puck-moving ability. Santini also played in the Prospects Game in Buffalo and helped the US to a silver medal in the world Under-17 hockey challenge in 2012.

Ryan Fitzgerald, left wing
5'8, 160. DOB: 10/19/94
Hometown: North Reading, Mass.
Current Team: Jr. Warriors (EJHL)

It's about to get even more fun. Ryan Fitzgerald won the MVP award in this year's Prospect Showcase and scored four goals for the US at last year's World U-17 Challenge. Fitzgerald played at Malden Catholic and put up boffo numbers in leading the Lancers to a Super 8 title. He has 25 points in 19 games in the EJHL this year and will likely be a fan favorite at BC fitting in the mold of other speedy, smaller, high-end forwards.

Austin Cangelosi, forward
5'6, 160. DOB: 8/27/94
Hometown: Estero, Fla.
Current Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Cangelosi also fits that BC prototype and has been an electric player for Youngstown. He scored 59 points in 53 games last year and has 26 in 23 this season. He's described as a "playmaking center with explosive speed and excellent vision" by the USHL website.

He also scored this absolutely ridiculous goal last season that got him on to national hockey highlight reels:

Youngstown Phantoms Austin Cangelosi Chip Shot Goal In Overtime [High Quality] (via PhantomsYTown)

I'm picturing a line of Fitzgerald, Cangelosi, and Johnny Gaudreau. Sounds pretty good, eh?