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Yesterday, we took a look at the crop of forwards coming in for BC hockey. Today, we look at defense and goaltending - almost certainly the strength of this year's recruiting class.
Connor Moore
Connor Moore has the potential to be one of those under-the-radar kids who could be a real steal for BC. Undersized at 5'10'', Moore was not drafted in his NHL draft year, but this past season as an 18 year old he put up 33 points (26 assists) in 60 games for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, performing nicely in a big step up in competition from his previous competition level in prep school.
Described as a smart player with a good shot and good at making clean, crisp breakout passes, Moore could be an important player for BC right away. Moore is originally from Georgia, but described BC as his "dream school" that he grew up watching on TV when he committed out of the Brooks School.
Luke McInnis
BC pretty consistently "keeps it in the family" and they do so again with Luke McInnis, son of BC legend and assistant coach Marty McInnis. McInnis, a 5'11'' d-man, is eligible for the draft this year and is ranked #141 by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters.
Like Moore, McInnis is known as a puck-mover. He had 28 points in 58 games this season also with the Youngstown Phantoms. He previously played at Hingham High and the Dexter School.
Michael Campoli
Campoli, a big 6'2'' stay-at-home D-man, is one of the most important prospects in this year's class with the departure of Steve Santini. He's draft-eligible and will likely go toward the end of the draft if he gets selected.
A dual-national American/Canadian who grew up in Pointe-Claire Quebec, Campoli has spent two full seasons with the USNTDP. He's not a big point scorer- he has just 5 points in two years with the USNTDP - but he's developed a reputation as a stout, shut-down D man.
Jesper Mattila
This fall, Mattila will become the first Finnish BC hockey player since Matti Kaltiainen. Another smaller blueliner at 5'10'', Mattila is ranked #83 among European skaters in this year's draft pool.
Mattila was part of Finland's very good World Junior team this past winter, playing in 5 games. He plies his trade for the Ilves U20 team, coming up through that club's system. He's the U20s' alternate captain after serving as a team captain at lower age levels. This year he was an assist machine, with 33 assists in 47 games.
Joe Woll
And here's your goalie of the future, Joe Woll. Like Thatcher Demko, Woll has spent significant time with USA Hockey and has played two full seasons with the USNTDP. He's ranked as the #5 draft-eligible North American goalie. He's also a big goalie at 6'3''.
Scouts are high on Woll's ability and potential as a long-term prospect; don't be surprised if he's your opening day starter if Thatcher Demko goes pro.
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Like the forward class, there's no top-of-the-draft talent here. BU destroyed BC in the recruiting class of 2016, winning nearly every major recruiting battle. BC bounced back with some high-end talent for the '17 and '18 classes, but I'm excited about the potential of having a big class of good players who will almost all be 3-4 year guys at BC.