Men’s Hockey: Fensore named captain for 2022-23, O’Brien and McCarthy assistants

By Patrick Donnelly 

Boston University rising senior defenseman Dom Fensore has been named captain for the 2022-23 season. Rising senior forward Jay O’Brien and defenseman Case McCarthy will serve as assistant captains.

It is the first time each skater will sport a letter on their jerseys during their time on Comm. Ave.

Fensore, a third round pick (90th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019, led the Terriers in scoring last season with five goals and 26 assists for 31 points in 35 games, all career-highs, last season. On his career at BU, the Thornwood, N.Y., native has 55 points (10 goals, 45 assists) in 85 contests over three seasons. The 5-foot-7, 151 pound defenseman was the team’s nominee for the Hobey Baker Award.

Case McCarthy makes a pass during the first period of the Beanpot final against Northeastern at TD Garden on Feb. 14, 2022. Photo by Patrick Donnelly.

Fensore was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Start this season. He was also awarded the Clifford P. Fitzgerald Scholarship Award alongside now Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic, which is presented annually to the outstanding rising junior or senior defenseman, as well as the George V. Brown Most Valuable Player Award at the team’s annual banquet.

McCarthy set career-highs in goals (five) and points (14) in 26 games this season. The Clarence Center, N.Y., native has eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 70 games as a Terrier. The 6-foot-1, 198 pound defenseman was selected in the fourth round (118th overall) by the New Jersey Devils in 2019.

Jay O’Brien shoots during the first period of a game against Maine at Alfond Arena on March 5, 2022. Photo by Patrick Donnelly.

O’Brien led BU with .917 points per game in 2021-22. On the year he had 10-12–22 totals in 24 games, all career-highs. The Hingham, Mass., native has 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points in 40 games during his two seasons on Comm. Ave. The 19th overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018, O’Brien had five points (two goals, three assists) in 24 games as a freshman with Providence College in 2018-19 before transferring. Between BU and Providence, the 6-foot, 184-pound center had 25-41–66 in 41 games with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

On their careers at BU, each have a a national tournament appearance in 2020 and a Beanpot championship to their name after the Terriers claimed their 31st title this season. Fensore had the secondary assist on rising junior forward Dylan Peterson’s game-winning goal in the championship against Northeastern on Feb. 14.

Featured Image: Dom Fensore shoots a one-timer during the first period of the Hockey East Quarterfinals against UConn at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn., on March 23, 2022. Photo by Patrick Donnelly