With the advent of the NCAA’s graduate transfer rule, players are moving from school to school more than ever. That trend is playing out locally, with several Hockey East programs adding transfers to bolster their rosters for 2018-19.
When adding transfers, schools aren’t always just looking for skill. As was the case last season, Boston College and Providence added graduate transfers, Kevin Lohan and Tommy Davis, on their blue line to bring experience to young groups.
Another graduate transfer, Drew Melanson, scored the game-winning goal for Boston University to propel the Terriers in the 2018 Hockey East Championship game. It was just his fifth goal of the season, but it was certainly a big one.
In 2018-19, there are some transfers, not all of the graduate transfer variety, that could play a huge role for contenders in Hockey East. In fact, one such player could be the final piece to the puzzle for Boston College as it looks for a third straight Hockey East regular season title.
Ben Finkelstein
Boston College, Defenseman, Jr., Burlington, Vt.
The 2016 seventh-round pick of the Florida Panthers is an elite, puck-moving, offensive defenseman. Finkelstein has the uncanny ability to break pucks out of his own zone, activate into the offense and control possession. After spending a season-plus at St. Lawrence, the former Kimball Union star finished the 2017-18 season with the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks. In just 31 games, he amassed 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points. Finkelstein was also named the USHL Defenseman of the Year.
His addition to the Eagles will bring obvious benefits, but also fill a big hole. One of BC’s glaring issues in recent seasons was puck possession. Even in a series sweep of Merrimack, the Eagles were hemmed in their own zone for long stretches. Finkelstein, once eligible after the first semester, should vastly improve that weakness.
Liam Pecararo
Northeastern, Forward, Sr., Canton, Mass.
It wouldn’t be a shock if most Hockey East fans have forgotten about Pecararo, who last played a college hockey game in 2014-15 with the University of Maine. After being recruited by former coach Tim Whitehead, Pecararo quickly fell into the doghouse with Red Gendron’s Black Bears. He spent the 2015-16 season with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL, but has had varying eligibility issues hold him back from playing for the Huskies the past two years.
He's expected to be good to go come October. His skill set and hockey sense, especially in the offensive zone, should come to the forefront once in Northeastern’s system, which is less structured than Maine’s.
Max Willman
Boston University, Forward, Gr., Barnstable, Mass.
Injuries limited the former Barnstable High School and Williston Northampton star to just nine games last season, which allowed him to pursue a medical redshirt. Once Willman graduated from Brown, he jumped to the Terriers and became eligible immediately.
The 2014 fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres put up 11 goals as a junior in 2016-17, but never fully reached his potential with the Bears. At the very least, Willman will provide depth, experience and strong skating to BU’s lineup. However, don’t be surprised if he can find his way under Albie O’Connell and hit double digits in goals scored.
Jacob Pritchard
Massachusetts, Forward, Gr., Macomb Township, Mich.
Pritchard was once a highly-coveted prospect, playing up with the U.S. NTDP after playing bantam and midget hockey with Little Caesars. He scored nine goals in each of his three seasons at St. Lawrence before graduating early this summer.
Pritchard was originally recruited to St. Lawrence by Greg Carvel and Jared DeMichiel, who he will now play for with the Minutemen. The Michigan native could have a breakout campaign, for he has the puck skills, hockey sense and finishing ability to score 15 goals in Hockey East.
Austin Plevy
Northeastern, Forward, Gr., Langley, British Columbia
Plevy’s college career has been a whirlwind, as he went to Merrimack for summer classes before what was supposed to be his freshman season. He never made it to fall semester, instead transferring to UMass. He spent the past three seasons playing for the Minutemen before graduating.
A talented offensive player, Plevy never really fit into the new system deployed by Carvel. He scored 10 goals as a freshman in 2015-16. With Northeastern hit hard by graduation and early departures to the NHL at key offensive positions, Plevy could find his way into favorable ice time.
