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Unlike several other hockey programs whose rosters have been ravaged by early departures already, it appears that York and the Eagles will stave off any early departures this offseason. According to Assistant CSOM Dean Warren Zola:
Beware 2013-14 @bostoncollege hockey opponents, there shall be no early defections to the @nhl from Coach York's squad this year.
— Warren K. Zola (@WarrenKZola) April 9, 2013
That Tweet would indicate that all six Eagles underclassmen whose rights are owned by NHL franchises -- sophomore Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames), junior Bill Arnold (Calgary), freshman Michael Matheson (Florida Panthers), junior Kevin Hayes (Chicago Blackhawks), junior Isaac MacLeod (San Jose Sharks) and freshman Colin Sullivan (Montreal Canadiens) will all return to a 2013-14 roster that is straight-up filth.
Gaudreau is arguably the biggest name returning for the Eagles. The Hobey Hat Trick finalist notched 21 goals and 30 assists in 35 games this year to lead the nation in points per game (1.46). The Carneys Point, New Jersey native was named the Hockey East Player of the Year and also a big part of an American team that captured gold at the IIHF World Juniors Championship in Ufa, Russia.
Rising seniors Billy Arnold and Isaac MacLeod will wear the "A" for the Eagles, while Hayes looks to return to form following a junior year marred by a team suspension and a season-ending quad injury.
With a roster chocked full of talent, only to be bolstered by one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, the Eagles will likely go into the 2013-14 as one of the early season favorites to make it to Philadelphia and the 2014 Frozen Four. Even-numbered years are the new odd-numbered years, anyway.
UPDATE: Confirmed. All staying.
Excited for my junior year with #bchockey
— John Gaudreau (@johngaudreau03) April 9, 2013