Editor's note: NESN.com will preview each Hockey East school this week.
The Eagles are looking to fly high once again this season, as Jerry York's squad is returning a solid nucleus of leadership and talent. Despite losing some key scorers, Boston College will undoubtedly be in the thick of things in 2011-12.
Record/finish in 2010-11
20-6-1 (41 points)
First in Hockey East
Won Hockey East Tournament
Lost in NCAA regional semifinal (Colorado College)
Key 2010-11 stat
The Eagles flew high on offense last season, scoring a league-high 101 goals, an average of 3.74 per game. Unsurprisingly, BC also had the most dangerous power play unit in the league, scoring at a 24.2 percent clip.
Player to watch in 2011-12
As the only returning first team Hockey East All-Star from last season, junior defenseman Brian Dumoulin will be expected to lead the Eagles. Dumoulin took home Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman award as well as the Bob Monahan Award as the top blue liner in New England.
Coach's quote
"We lose six key guys. Someone has to step up and replace the contributions [Brian] Gibbons made or Cam Atkinson made or Joe Whitney. But that’s what each year brings, how are we going to come together and become a team? That’s the exciting part of it.”
–Jerry York.
Outlook
Despite losing two of the top three scorers in the league with the departures of Cam Atkinson and Brian Gibbons, Boston College returns a solid nucleus of 18 players from last season’s squad, which won Hockey East and reached the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in 14 years. It should be business as usual at the Heights with BC battling at the top for Hockey East glory and making another run at the Frozen Four.
