The 2022 Hockey East playoffs begin Wednesday, with opening round games involving the No. 6-11 seeds facing each other for the chance to advance to this weekend’s quarterfinals.
No. 11 University of Maine will play No. 6 Merrimack College at Lawler Arena, while No. 10 Vermont will travel to Providence to take on the seventh-ranked Friars. No. 8 Boston College will face No. 9 New Hampshire at home, fresh off of beating UMass twice to close out the regular season. Northeastern, which captured the school’s first regular-season title, holds the top seed by virtue of edging the Minutemen by one point. UMass Lowell, Connecticut and Boston University round out the Hockey East top five. BU and UConn will face each other in Connecticut on Saturday, while the rest of the field will be determined in the opening round.
Here is a quick look at a player on each team who could be a key play-driver for his school’s hopes to extend the season to Saturday and beyond.
Declan Carlile
Merrimack, 5/18/00, D, left shot, 6-2/190
The Michigan product posted his best offensive numbers as a junior with the Warriors, establishing himself as a trustworthy two-way defender. With his tall frame and long reach, he can defend, but he’s got the vision and ability to move pucks quickly, allowing him to emerge as a dual threat. The late-bloomer has developed into a recruiting coup for Scott Borek and his staff, as he could have played for a host of good programs in the Midwest, but has made the most of his situation in Andover.
Parker Ford (Wakefield, R.I.)
Providence College, 7/20/00, C, right shot, 6-0/180
Although undrafted and perhaps not as productive as hoped for entering his junior campaign, playoff time is when Ford is at his best. He’s fast, smart and plays with an edge. Rumored to be a potential high-profile free agent target for NHL teams whenever his season ends, time will tell. But for now, he provides the Friars with the kind of relentless energy and dogged puck pursuit that is essential in a win-or-go-home postseason environment. Brett Berard and Nick Poisson led the way offensively, but Ford provided a sneaky scoring option and has a penchant for performing well in the clutch.
Eric Dop
Boston College, 8/23/98, G, catches right, 6-0/170
The native Ohioan transferred into BC as a fifth-year senior after four strong years at Bowling Green. For much the season, it was a tough adjustment from the WCHA to the Hockey East for Dop, who had trouble tracking pucks consistently and gave up some costly goals. Near the end of the season, things clicked for him, and he had a superb performance in the final weekend against UMass.  His .897 save percentage won’t strike fear into UNH, but he’s trending up.
Tyler Ward
New Hampshire, 8/19/99, LW, left shot, 5-10/185
The senior winger spent two seasons at Denver University after coming out of the BCHL, but transferred to Durham before the 2020-21 season. Coming off his most productive season in college, with 24 points in 33 games, Ward is part of a group of forwards that haven’t put up eye-popping numbers at UNH, but put in the work to generate scoring. He’s effective in the dirty areas by using his low center of gravity to slip through defensive seams to get to the front of the net, using his quick release to good effect.
Jacques Bouquot (South Windsor, Conn.)
Vermont, 2/10/00, C, left shot, 6-1/185
Although originally committed to Boston College, the former Salisbury School captain just completed his best season with the Catamounts, with six goals and 15 points. He plays with pace, smarts and has been able to bring a consistent level of two-way play and production this season. Former Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon recruited Bouquot, but he’s thriving under the current coaching staff, and is primed for a breakout senior year. Vermont has a tough hill to climb to beat PC, but Bouquot’s size and style matches up well in that environment.
David Breazeale
Maine, 4/22/00, D, left shot, 6-3/200
After winning the NAHL’s Robertson Cup championship with the Shreveport Mudbugs, the Michigander signed on as one of new head coach Ben Barr’s first recruits last summer and paid immediate dividends in Orono. A stout defender who used his size and wingspan effectively, he also produced nearly half a point per game in his first year of Hockey East action. A seasoned player who aged out of juniors, he plays with good strength, poise and will no doubt be one of the Black Bears’ core players going forward after immediately establishing himself at this level.
