College Spotlight: Boston College Eagles
Today’s “College Spotlight” will be on the Boston College Eagles. We will go back through the history, the past few years, and take a look at what’s in store for the future of this college hockey powerhouse.
History
Boston College hockey traces it’s roots all the way back to 1917, but the organization did not begin to stand out in the college hockey world until 1946 when John “Snooks” Kelley took over for the second time as head coach. The Eagles made three straight Frozen Four appearances starting in 1948. In that span, they won one National Championship (1949). They beat Dartmouth 4-3 in the final game.
The Eagles have appeared in the NCAA tournament 33 times and hold the NCAA record in Frozen Four appearances with 24. Kelley coached the team until 1972. He won 8 Beanpot Tournament titles, made 9 NCAA Tournament appearances, and won an ECAC Tournament Championship in 1965. “Snooks” finished his career as head coach with a record of 486-233-14 and one National Title. Boston College won two ECAC Tournament titles, and three ECAC Regular Season titles.
The Eagles switched from the ECAC to Hockey East in 1984, and their legacy began to grow. They won three straight Hockey East Regular Season titles from 1984-1987, and then won another 3 straight from 1988-1991 all under head coach Len Ceglarski. Ceglarski finished 419-224-27 in his 20 year career as well as two Beanpot titles.
When Jerry York took the team over in 1994, he quickly made the Eagles into the most dominant team in the last two decades. Since 1994, the Eagles have won 4 National Championships (2001, 2008, 2010, and 2012), made 11 Frozen Four appearances, and won 9 Hockey East Tournament Championships.
York has a record of 496-242-68 with the Eagles so far, and he’s not done.
Recent Years (2010-2014)
Boston College has appeared in the NCAA Tournament every year since 2010 including the Frozen Four in three of the last five years.
They defeated Wisconsin 5-0 to win the 2o1o NCAA title, and Ferris State 4-1 in 2012, both under head coach Jerry York.
Last season, they made it to the Frozen Four, but last to the eventual National Champions Union College. They had what is considered “the best line in college hockey”. The line included Johnny Gaudreau, Kevin Hayes, and Bill Arnold. They combined for 198 points, and Gaudreau earned the Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the best player in college hockey.
The Future
That brings us to what is in store for one of the most dominant schools in college hockey. As everything sits right now, it looks like this school will have a great next few years.
Mike Matheson is back on the blue line, and the rest of the defensive core is really good as well. As far as the forwards go, Chris Calnan is coming back as a sophomore after a 13 point freshman season, as well as Johnny’s younger brother Matthew Gaudreau who should be a regular in the lineup.
Incoming freshmen Sonny Milano and Alex Tuch were both selected in the first round of this years NHL draft, and the Eagles sophomore goaltender Thatcher Demko went early in the second round.
There have been rumors about Milano wanting to go play Major Junior hockey, but so far, he’s still committed to the Eagles.
Although Boston College lost all three players from their top line, they still have enough talent to continue contending for titles for at least the next few seasons.
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