BU Men’s Hockey Announces New Additions to 2017-18 Roster

By Jarett Leonard

The Boston University men’s hockey program announced Wednesday 10 additions to the roster for the 2017-18 season, including nine freshmen and one graduate transfer student.

Headlining the new additions is a trio of U.S. National Under-18 Team members in forwards Logan Cockerill and Brady Tkachuk, and defenseman David Farrance.

The names Cockerill and Tkachuk may sound familiar, as Logan is the brother of Northeastern defenseman Garret Cockerill, while Brady is the son of former Terrier Keith Tkachuk and brother of Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk. Both will add offense to BU’s attack, as the two combined for 81 points last season.

An offensive-minded blue liner, Farrance will likely fit in well with the other puck moving defenseman on the roster in Chad Krys, Brandon Hickey and Dante Fabbro. Defenseman Kasper Kotkansalo will add a defensive mindset to the back end and will join senior John MacLeod in bringing a physical presence to the ice.

A pair of former United States Hockey League forwards will also join the Terriers in Shane Bowers and Hank Crone. Crone tallied 62 points for Fargo last season to finish third in the league while Bowers recorded 37 goals and 47 assists in his two seasons for Waterloo.

Another familiar name, forward Ty Amonte, joins BU from the British Columbia Hockey League. The Norwell native is the son of former Terrier Tony Amonte, who coached his son for four years at Thayer Academy. Also from Massachusetts and the BCHL, forward Jake Witkowski will add depth and provide offense to BU.

Cameron Crotty, a defenseman from the Central Canada Hockey League, also joins the Terriers after two years with the Brockville Braves. The two-way defenseman was injured for a portion of last season but still contributed 13 points.

Rounding out the roster is forward Drew Melanson, who transferred from Rensselaer. A graduate student, Melanson will add maturity and experience to a young BU roster.

The new additions include five 2017 NHL draft picks in Bowers, Cockerill, Crotty, Farrance, and Kotkansalo.

The seven forwards and three defensemen join the roster after the Terriers lost key players to graduation, the NHL, and other college and junior programs following last season.

Defenseman Doyle Somerby and forwards Tommy Kelley and Nick Roberto graduated after four year in the program.

Three players left BU early for NHL deals as forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and defenseman Charlie McAvoy joined the Boston Bruins while forward Clayton Keller signed with the Arizona Coyotes.

Another three departed for other programs, including forward Kieffer Bellows (Western Hockey League), forward Oskar Andren (Ferris State) and goaltender Connor LaCouvee (Minnesota State-Mankato).

BU is scheduled to open the season on Sep. 30 when it hosts Union at Agganis Arena.