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Just 17 days to go... let's keep the previews rolling.
#17 Jeremy Bracco, forward
Class Year: Freshman
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 175
Hometown: Freeport, NY
Before BC:
Bracco spent the past two seasons with the US National Team Development Program following a successful season with the New Jersey Hitmen of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League in 2012/2013.
Fun Facts::
- Bracco was drafted #61 overall in the second round of this year's NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Bracco broke the single season and all time assists record for the US National Team Development Program, and trails only Phil Kessel and Patrick Kane in career points with the USNTDP
- #17 was last worn by Destry Straight; prior to that, it was Brian Gibbons
- Bracco is a dual national with international eligibility to play for the US or Canada. He has relatives in the Toronto area.
2014-2015 in review:
Bracco followed up a jaw-dropping 2013/14 season with another stellar year for the USNTDP last year, amassing 94 points in 65 games across all competitions for the US U18s. Bracco's 64 assists broke the single-season USNTDP record and bolstered his reputation as an elite playmaker. In addition to his scoring prowess in the USHL, Bracco also competed in the U18 World Championship, assisting on Colin White's tournament-winning OT goal, and was named to the evaluation camp roster for the World Junior team.
2015-2016 Outlook:
Jeremy Bracco was the "will he/won't he" story of the summer for BC fans, but unlike last year with Sonny Milano, it looks like the Bracco saga will have a happy ending. Despite rumors persisting throughout the summer that Bracco would bolt for Major Juniors in Canada - rumors that only intensified once he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs - Bracco held firm to his commitment and arrived at campus this fall.
There's a reason why news about Bracco dominated headlines in the college hockey world this summer - he is an elite-talent with the ability to be a game-changer for BC right away this season. Many outstanding players have made their way through the USNTDP ranks, but few have put up numbers that put them in the realm of Phil Kessel or Patrick Kane.
Here's what MyNHLDraft.com's scouting report says about Bracco. It's easy to read this rundown and start conjuring up images of many previous skilled, speedy forwards that have played for the Eagles. Let's hope Bracco can be the next one.
A small, but flashy and highly skilled, playmaker...tremendous skater with excellent quickness, balance on his edges and elusiveness with the puck...a quick set of hands...tough to handle when he gets going because he can elude defenders with his skating...great vision with the puck and makes tremendous passes...has a good wrist shot, but opts to be a pass-first playmaker...plays with grit and has no issue going to the net for chances... battles on the wall with limited success due to his lack of strength and reach...can really use some extra muscle...works hard defensively, and has a good defensive stick and plays aggressively at the point looking to cause turnovers.
Links:
Twitter: @jbracco97
MyNHLDraft.com draft profile and scouting report for Bracco
Sportsnet.ca Prospect of Interest: Jeremy Bracco
Here's Jeremy Bracco scoring a pair of goals in last year's USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.
Next up:
#15 Joey Dudek, Thursday, 9/24