Men's Hockey Preview: The Forwards

FORWARDS
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 9/5
Newcomers: 6

York on Boston College's Forwards:
"Offensively, we will be much more dangerous and much more creative. We should definitely be capable of producing more goals this season. I'm relying heavily on our juniors and two sophomores in Alex Tuch and Zach Sanford to really step up and be role players this season. Ryan Fitzgerald, Adam Gilmour, Austin Cangelosi, Chris Calnan, Brendan Silk and Matty Gaudreau need to keep producing and improving as the season goes along.

The incoming forward are as good a crop of kids as we've brought in over the last number of years in regards to depth and quality. Spearheaded by hard-nosed players like Miles Wood and Chris Brown, we're also bringing in some high-end skill with (Colin) White, (Jeremy) Bracco and (J.D.) Dudek. I also believe we have a sleeper in Chris Shero. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people with his impact on our team.

I like that White and Bracco are familiar with one another and have been teammates over the last couple seasons. They give us some real dynamic flair."

Alex Tuch, the Eagles' leading scorer last season, become Boston College's first leading point getter as a freshman in 42 years after logging 14 goals and 14 assists along with three power play goals and a pair of game-winners. The Baldwinsville, N.Y., native, fresh off a Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team honor, is poised for big production this year. In all of college hockey, Tuch was tied for 13th amongst all rookies after averaging 0.76 points per game.

Adam Gilmour finished second in scoring for the Eagles last season and tied with Tuch for most points (7-12-19) in Hockey East play. The Hanover, Mass., native tied for second on the roster with a +14 rating and accrued the second-most power play goals (5). Heading into this season, Gilmour possesses the third-most career points of any active Eagle.

Ryan Fitzgerald anchored BC's goal scoring efforts with a team-best 17 markers, including the most power play goals (7) last year and also found a knack for timely scoring. The North Reading, Mass., native potted five game-winning goals which were tied for ninth most in the country. Fitzgerald is poised to break out for a big year and is one of the more skilled players in the country.

Second-year forward Zach Sanford bestowed BC with a gritty presence and it paid off on the scoring sheet after finishing fifth in scoring last year. The Auburn, N.H., native posted seven goals and 17 helpers and was 25th in the nation in scoring amongst all first-year players. The 6-foot-4 presence has all the makings of finishing as a top point getter in the league this season.

Austin Cangelosi and Chris Calnan offer two very different styles, but both necessary components of the front lines. Cangelosi is a speedy centerman who posted 20 points (6-14-20) last season and likes to score in bunches. The Estero, Fla., native is a +17 for his career and looks to be a major contributor on the scoreboard. Calnan is arguably Boston College's most physical presence up front as the 6-foot-2 assistant captain notched 16 points (11-5-16) last year and will be one of BC's leaders throughout the year.

Matthew Gaudreau, Brendan Silk and Peter McMullen round out BC's returning veterans up front. Gaudreau scored some timely goals last year and will continue to have his craft called upon in skill situations. The Carneys Point, N.J., native is a slick skater and can get into tight spots to produce points this year. Silk aims to be a key contributor as a senior after his junior year was cut short by 15 games after suffering an injury. McMullen skated in a career-best 10 contests last year and can be called upon any time to help augment the front lines.

Colin White and Jeremy Bracco, two highly-touted incomers that were just drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively, this past summer will be key contributors immediately. Both members of the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team, and the two that factored into the overtime winner in the gold medal game, both sport notable junior careers. White is a proven leader and was the assistant captain of that gold-medal winning group while Bracco broke the assist record (64) in a season for the National Team Development Program and is currently in third-place, alltime, in career points (46-122-168) at the NTDP behind Phil Kessel (180) and Patrick Kane (172).

Miles Wood is a physical forward that was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team alongside Demko, McCoshen, Tuch and Hanifin. The Manchester, Mass., native is an older freshman and was drafted by New Jersey In the fourth round in 2013.

Chris Brown and Joey Dudek literally followed one another in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft after Brown was picked 151st by Buffalo and Dudek 152nd by New Jersey. Brown, the brother of former captain, Patrick, and nephew of Coach Brown scored 37 points last year in juniors. Dudek had a strong career in the USHL and produced big numbers at Kimball Union Academy, including 86 points (26-60-86) in two years there. Chris Shero, son of new general manager of the New Jersey Devils, Ray Shero, played for the South Shore Kings last year and will be a valuable asset throughout the season.

Players Mentioned

Christopher Brown

Chris Calnan

Austin Cangelosi

Ryan Fitzgerald

Matthew Gaudreau

Adam Gilmour

Peter McMullen

Zach Sanford

Chris Shero

Brendan Silk

Alex Tuch

Colin White

Miles Wood