Boston College Men’s Hockey Incoming Class Update

With the 2017 NHL Entry Draft coming to a close today, it is time to take a look at BC hockey’s incoming class...

Monte Graham: Graham has spent the previous 2 seasons in the USHL, where he has shown significant improvement. As a rookie winger with the Tri-City Storm, he scored only 8 points in 56 games. This past season, he increased that to 24 points in 60 games. Graham does have a tendency to take a lot of penalties, which is something BC coaches will want to get under control.

Logan Hutsko: Hutsko suffered a neck injury and missed much of the past season. He played in 11 games last season and recorded 3 assists. A small, quick forward, Hutsko lists Johnny Gaudreau amongst his hockey idols. It is tough to guess what kind of impact Hutsko will make in the fall. If he’s increased his strength and his confidence (and gotten over some mental blocks), he could see a decent amount of ice time. If he is still mentally and physically recovering, he could spend most of the year on the bench. Hutsko should be a 4 year player at BC, and the structure of NCAA hockey should help him to readjust to the game.

Michael Karow: The only incoming Eagle to be selected in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Karow is a strong defensive prospect. He was chosen in the 5th round by the Arizona Coyotes. You can read more about him here.

Aapeli Räsänen: Räsänen, BC’s incoming Finn, was drafted in the 6th round by the Oilers in 2016. He had 25 regular season points for the Sioux City Musketeers last season and his 6 points tied him for the lead on Team Finland in the WJC (he was tied with former BC commit Eeli Tolvanen). I would expect him to contribute a bit more to the offense than a 6th round pick suggests.

Casey Carreau: Conflicting sources have Carreau joining BC in either 2017 or 2018. He is a small player that has put up solid offensive numbers for Thayer and the Cape Cod Whalers. He averaged 2 points a game at Thayer in 2016-17 and just under 1 point and game for the Whales.

Joey Cassetti: Conflicting sources have Cassetti joining BC in either 2017 or 2018. Cassetti is a 6’3” winger out of the USNTDP. He is not a prolific scorer, but is a tough player that makes his presence known.

Chris Grando: Conflicting sources have Grando joining BC in either 2017 or 2018. Grando has good hockey sense and scored 33 points in 60 games in the USHL this season. As a 5’10”, 155 lbs forward, Grando is a stereotypical BC forward who should benefit from the NCAA’s structured training.

Mitchell Martan: Conflicting sources have Martan joining BC in either 2017 or 2018. Martan is a Canadian forward that split this past season between the BCHL and OJHL. Another small, quick player, Martan had a terrific 2017 post-season for the Wellington Dukes, scoring 12 points (9 of which were goals) over 12 playoff games. He had 3 goals and 17 points through his 24 regular season games with the Dukes.

Jacob Tortora: Conflicting sources have Tortora joining BC in either 2017 or 2018. Tortora was ranked No. 165 by NHL Central Scouting amongst North American skaters going into the draft this year, but went undrafted. He is a smaller player, at 5’8” and 165 lbs. Tortora spent the 2016-17 season playing for the U.S. National U18 team, where he registered 18 goals and 20 assists, good for 38 points. Tortora was also on the USA Hockey U-18 team that won the gold medal at the U-18 World Junior Classic.