Men’s Hockey: Terrier hockey is back, season opener Saturday night at Agganis

Featured image by Jacob Ireland

By Devora Slonim

In the words of the late, great Jim Prior:

“The teams are ready, so let’s play hockey!”

After a long five months, the Boston University Terriers are set to play their first game of the season this Saturday night at Agganis Arena.

For this year, all eyes are on the freshmen.

Forward Cole Eiserman, previously on the U.S National Under-18 Team, is set to make his collegiate hockey debut. Eiserman, who formerly played with 2024 No.1 overall draft pick and Hobey Baker award winner Macklin Celebrini, tallied 89 points for the NTDP, putting up 58 goals in the process.

“His work ethic is very good,” coach Jay Pandolfo said about Eiserman. “He can push the [defense] back to create space for himself. I think his speed is a factor too… I’m anticipating he’s going to have a great season.”

Defenseman Cole Hutson, brother of junior forward Quinn Hutson and former Terrier and current Montreal Canadien Lane Hutson, will be the third of the Hutson brothers to play for BU. Hutson, who also played with Eiserman on the NTDP, recorded 51 points, the most by a defender in the ’23-’24 season.

Both Eiserman, Cole Hutson and the rest of the first-year class will look to their leadership group for guidance as they face new challenges and pressures of college hockey.

Co-captaining the Terriers are junior forward Ryan Greene and sophomore forward Shane Lachance. Lachance made strides in his rookie season, playing in all 40 games and totalling 27 points. Lachance is the first sophomore in program history to wear the ‘C’ on his sweater.

Greene finished last season with 36 points, tying for third in total points for the team, and is the first junior to be named captain since the 2018-2019 season.

Juniors Devin Kaplan and Quinn Hutson were named the two assistant captains for the group.

“We talked about if someone emerges through the preseason, we’d like to add another assistant captain.” Pandolfo said about adding Quinn Hutson to the leadership group just before the opener. “He’s just done everything right on and off the ice the way he’s worked, prepared… he’s earned it.”

BU will match up against the Holy Cross Crusaders for both team’s opening game. The two teams will meet for their fourth regular-season meeting and the first since 2014. Their most recent tilt was a 5-1 BU exhibition win in 2021.

The Crusaders are led by their captain, senior defenseman Matt Shatsky and assistant captains, senior forwards Liam McLinskey and John Gelatt. Junior forward Devin Phillips rounds out the group. McLinskey was a powerhouse for Holy Cross last season, tallying 47 points, and is projected to have another dominant season.

“I think it’s always fun for the group to get a chance to start at home, in front of your home fans; there’s a lot of excitement. I think it’s great for us. We’re really excited… It’s supposed to be a great crowd tomorrow night, so hopefully we are all ready to go,” Pandolfo said.

Puck drop is set for Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Agganis Arena. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.