Linked to the Heights, June 17: Matt Ryan, Noted Hockey Fan

Boston College fans are all too familiar with Matt Ryan and his stature within the Eagles football program. What they might not know is that he had a rooting interest in the NHL Playoffs.

Boston College Football

• Falcons’ Ryan keeping tabs on friend, Stanley Cup standout Boyle (Fox Sports South, John Manasso)

Matt Ryan had plenty of time to make friends during his four years at Boston College. One of them was Brian Boyle, at the time a hockey player under Jerry York, but now a professional in his own right. Boyle is a member of the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers, who just competed in the Stanley Cup Finals.

We learned in this piece that Matt Ryan took in almost all of the Rangers’ games as they raced towards the Stanley Cup, rooting for Boyle and fellow Eagle Chris Kreider.

Perhaps the name “Matty Ice” has yet another meaning.

"Story time: About five years ago, ESPN’s Tom Jackson stated on NFL Countdown that Matt Ryan was nicknamed “Matty Ice” because he was “as cool as ice” under pressure. No, Tom, it’s because it rhymes with “Natty Ice,” a cheap, lousy, prolific drink at Matt Ryan’s alma mater and at college campuses everywhere. We wouldn’t expect him to know that."

• Boston College Football Has Options For Replacing Andre Williams (Rant Sports, Dan Kelley)

This piece goes into some detail about the players to whom Boston College and Steve Addazio will turn in replacing Andre Williams.

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Betsided

Myles Willis is a likely starter, though it does mention Tyler Rouse as a potential backup. While it is true he should get some playing time in 2014, look for the coaches to take the bubble wrap off of at least one of the two freshman recruits, Marcus Outlow or Jonathan Hilliman.

Boston College Hockey

• NHL draft tracker: Sonny Milano, U.S. under-18 team (Yahoo! Sports Canada, Neate Sager)

Yet another article about Eagles hockey recruit Sonny Milano, who has made a name for himself as one of the more exciting young hockey players in the nation. Like his future teammate, Thatcher Demko, it would appear that Milano is destined to be selected in the upcoming 2014 NHL Draft, possibly with high positioning.

Of note, he said this about Boston College:

"“I always dreamed of going to BC. It’s close to my house so my family can watch me play. Great history, of course, a lot of guys to the NHL, a lot of championships.”"

That’ll do.