Boston College Eagles in the NHL: Johnny Gaudreau and His Skills
By Joe Micik
The Boston College Eagles in the NHL Report is brought to you by the letter “J,” for “Johnny Gaudreau is thriving in professional hockey.”
The former Eagle and current Calgary Flame is having a tremendous rookie season so far up in Alberta. Through 41 games, Gaudreau is third on his team with 31 points (13-18-31), while also sporting a plus/minus of +9. Not bad for a guy playing in his first season against some much bigger and more experienced players.
Gaudreau will also participate in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition on January 24 in Columbus, the day before the 2015 All-Star Game. Johnny is not going to play in the latter, but he will have some stiff competition amongst the all-stars and other rookies. Seeing as how that as that is the only stage upon which he will perform on All-Star Weekend, expect him to do well.
As for other Boston College Eagles in the NHL, Kevin Hayes of the New York Rangers is having a good rookie year himself. One-third of the Gaudreau-Hayes-Bill Arnold line that was in all estimations the best in Boston College history, Hayes has 15 points (5-10-15) in 35 games so far this season. Yet, his value to the Rangers goes beyond mere stats: Hayes has hustled and played smart. All involved at Madison Square Garden are pleased with his performance.
His once and current teammate, Chris Kreider, is getting hot. Through 37 games, Kreider has 20 points (8-12-20) and has notched five points, including three goals, over his last five contests played. The speed that Eagles fans came to know and love is still on display in New York, with Kreider streaking down the ice to get to loose pucks, negate icings, and make offensive plays.
Kreider’s former teammate on the Rangers, Brian Boyle, has 11 points (7-4-11) playing on defense for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Boyle’s last goal came on January 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, there are even more Boston College Eagles in the NHL via the steel city. Defenseman Rob Scuderi has five points this year, all assists, in 41 games played. Meanwhile, Brian Dumoulin’s only point so far is a goal, which was scored on December 15 against the Lightning.
Former Eagle Ben Smith has nine points (5-4-9) in 42 games this season for the Chicago Blackhawks. The last goal he scored was on December 20 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
As for those Blue Jackets, ex-Eagle standout Cam Atkinson has 14 points (8-6-14) in 36 games this season.
Boston College Eagles
A new member of the Dallas Stars, Patrick Eaves, totaled eight points (3-5-8) in 19 games. He has not played since December 2, suffering a broken bone in his hand that has kept him out for over a month.
On the New Jersey Devils, Stephen Gionta has six points (3-3-6) in his 38 games, while Joe Whitney has played in two games and notched one point, a goal on New Year’s Eve against the Detroit Red Wings.
Finally, not all Boston College Eagles in the NHL are forwards or defensemen. The only starting goalie we have in the big leagues, Cory Schneider, has been failed by the Devils team in front of him repeatedly. He has a 2.40 GAA and a .919 save percentage, yet is 14-19-4 in net for the Devils this season.
Ironically, one of his backups is Scott Clemmensen, another former Eagle. In limited time, he played in three games and allowed eight goals.