Boston College Hockey: Six Eagles Named to U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp

With the recent run that Sir Jerry York has been on on the recruiting trail, it should come as no surprise that Boston College leads all schools with the most representatives on the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp roster. A total of six Eagles -- four returning members and two incoming skaters -- will take part in the U.S. evaluation camp from August 2-9 in Lake Placid, vying for spots on the 2015 U.S. World Juniors roster.

Sophomore goalie Thatcher Demko, defensemen Ian McCoshen, Steve Santini and Scott Savage, along with incoming freshmen forwards Sonny Milano and Alex Tuch will participate in the evaluation camp. Demko, McCoshen and Santini return to Lake Placid after competing for the Americans at last year's World Juniors in Malmo. After finishing second to Canada in Group A pool play, the U.S. was unceremoniously bounced from the tournament in a 5-3 quarterfinal loss to Russia.

After serving as the backup goaltender to Jon Gillies (Providence) and Anthony Stolarz but not seeing any game action in 2014, Demko appears poised to start for the U.S. unless another goalie emerges in camp. It will certainly help having a familiar face around. Demko's long-time goalie coach and now Boston College assistant head coach Mike Ayers will serve as an assistant coach for the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team.

The 'Great' Santini skated in all five games for Team USA in 2014, notching a power play goal in an 8-0 rout of Germany in pool play. McCoshen dressed in every game for the Americans but did not play. Milano and Tuch participated in the 2014 IIHF Under-18 World Championships in which the U.S. brought home gold. Demko and Santini were part of the U-18 team that captured the silver the previous year.

The six Boston College players will audition for spots on the U.S. National Junior Team that will participate in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal from December 26 - January 5. It's all but certain that BC will head into winter break severely shorthanded, but the holiday schedule appears manageable.

The Eagles will be participating in the 26th annual Ledyard Classic up in Dartmouth, with preset, non-bracketed matchups against Brown (Jan. 2) and host Dartmouth (Jan. 3). Denver is the fourth team in the tournament, and while it's disappointing that the two programs won't face one another in New Hampshire, BC will visit the Pios for a two-game weekend set earlier in the year.

Best of luck to all six players as they compete the U.S. evaluation camp later this summer.