Eagles in the Pros: NHL Trade Deadline Recap

As the NHL trade deadline hit on Wednesday, 5 former Boston College men’s ice hockey players found themselves traded to new teams. Here’s the rundown of trade deadline action as it relates to BC:

Philip Samuelsson: Samuelsson was traded on February 21, a bit before the trade deadline madness really hit. He had been with the St. John’s Ice Caps, the AHL affiliate of Montreal, but was not having his best season and had been benched a few times. Samuelsson was traded to the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, in exchange for Keegan Lowe. Samuelsson had 1 goal and 4 assists in 40 games for St. John’s. In 4 games with Charlotte, he already has a goal. Interestingly, Charlotte is coached by his father, Ulf Samuelsson. BC alumnus Patrick Brown also plays for the Checkers (although he was recently recalled by the Hurricanes).

Brian Boyle: After 3 years with Tampa Bay, where he served as alternate captain, Brian Boyle was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Byron Froese and a 2017 second-round pick. Boyle joins fellow former Eagle Ben Smith in Toronto. Boyle is a fairly consistent player that can usually be relied upon for 20-30 points per season. He’s also good on face-offs and obviously his size is a plus. Boyle has played 1 game for Toronto so far.

Patrick Eaves: Patrick Eaves is in the middle of his best season ever, and he was a hot ticket at the trade deadline. Eaves ended up going to Anaheim from Dallas in exchange for a conditional 2017 second-round pick. Eaves has already scored a career high 21 goals this season, but it will be interesting to see if he can maintain that output with new teammates. Eaves has played one game for Anaheim.

Zach Sanford: Zach Sanford was traded to St.Louis along with Brad Malone, a 2017 first-round pick, and a conditional 2019 pick in exchange for Kevin Shattenkirk & Pheonix Copley. Sanford has split time between the AHL and NHL this season, but has made the case for staying in the NHL recently. He scored his first 2 NHL goals over the past couple weeks, adding to his 11 AHL goals. Sanford is expected to play for the Blues tonight.

Joe Whitney: Whitney was traded from the San Antonio Rampage, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, to the Tucson Roadrunners, the AHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes. Whitney was exchanged for Brendan Ranford. As captain of the Rampage Whitney had 11 goals and 17 assists this season.

Best of luck to these 5 Eagles on their new teams!