Linked to the Heights, June 21: WR Chase Pankey Commits
By Joe Micik
Andrew B. Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
Boston College Hockey
• Florida Panthers’ five-year draft review (FOX Sports Florida, Erin Brown)
Boston College soon-to-be-junior defenseman and new team captain Mike Matheson is a central part of what the NHL’s Florida Panthers hope to build in the years that follow.
There had been rumors that Matheson might buck the prevailing trend for NHL-bound players in Jerry York’s program and bolt after two years for South Florida; many, including Johnny Gaudreau, Chris Kreider, and Cam Atkinson, have waited at least three years.
Alas, Matheson surprised a few people after the Eagles hockey season ended this spring, announcing that he would come back for the 2014-15 campaign, and he will get the “C” for his trouble.
This piece also makes mention of Ian McCoshen, his linemate and another highly-valued Florida Panthers prospect, who is much further away from a jump to the pros than Matheson. As it has been with those big-time NHL prospects Boston College has had in the past, there is virtually no chance that Matheson returns for his senior year.
Yet, Boston College hockey does not rebuild — it reloads. The Eagles will likely be fine with or without him, but this upcoming season, the Eagles will definitely be pleased he’s there.