Three Eagles Named All-Americans

Boston College tied Minnesota for second most All-American selections with three, per the announcement on Friday afternoon. Johnny Gaudreau and Kevin Hayes received First Team - East selections while defenseman Mike Matheson received Second Team - East honors.

Union received the most honorees with four, while the other national semifinalist, North Dakota, had zero. The teams were broken up this year by east and west, and Union was the only other team with two players on the east's First Team.

Hayes and Gaudreau combined for 63 goals and 145 points this year as Boston College became the only team in the nation with three 50-point scorers. Gaudreau won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's most valuable hockey player, while both players were name First Team All-Hockey East. Gaudreau repeated as a First Team All-American after being named to the squad last season. Gaudreau was also named Hockey East Player of the Year, while Hayes received Beanpot MVP honors.

Matheson was named to the Second Team for the first time in his career as a sophomore in a year where he was also named First Team All-Hockey East. He had 18 assists and 23 penalties for 49 minutes, establishing himself as a force along the blue line for the Eagles. The draft pick of the Florida Panthers scored 12 points in conference play, all by way of the assist, and was the only defenseman honored for BC on both teams.

All three players were drafted by NHL teams; Matheson was drafted by the Florida Panthers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and is rumored to be among the players the southern squad is looking to sign this offseason.

Hayes was drafted 24th overall in the 2010 draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and has not yet signed with the team. Like Chris Kreider with the New York Rangers, it's possible Hayes will appear with the Blackhawks before becoming eligible for the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year. If he does not sign by June 5th, Chicago will relinquish his exclusive negotiating rights, allowing him to become a free agent. Chicago previously this year traded Kevin's brother Jimmy Hayes with Dylan Olsen to Florida for Kris Versteeg and Phillippe Lefebvre

Gaudreau was drafted in the 4th round by the Calgary Flames in 2011, and after three amazing seasons signed with Bill Arnold (drafted by the Flames in 2010). Both are expected to make their NHL debut this weekend when the Flames take on the Vancouver Canucks.

Congratulations to all the Eagles for their postseason honors!