NCAA: Colin BUs Wilson and the Harvard Men

Although Boston University is struggling this year (4-10-2), a solid group of freshman highlighted by 2008 draft prospect Colin Wilson gives many BU fans something to look forward to in the coming year. Harvard meanwhile, has been steady with a 6-4-2 record and as of December, ranked 15th in the USCHO poll. McKeen's has player notes from both teams as well as their stats as of Dec. 25.

Harvard

Alex Biega (Buf), D, Harvard University

Sophomore .. a strong skater who still has quick strides, but has extended them more than last viewing .. has that tremendous speed .. strong, especially for his size (5-10, 190) .. has good upper body strength .. moves the puck extremely well from the defensive zone .. has a cannon of a shot from the point that finds its way to the net and he keeps it low .. plays on the PP and receives PK time .. stats: 12 – 1 – 7 – 8.

Doug Rogers (NYI), F, Harvard University

Sophomore .. can really skate with the puck and has very good poise .. quick release and shoots while in stride .. shifty in the corners .. scored the GWG in OT against BU when a missed Alex Biega shot came off the backboards and found his stick .. strong on the PP .. stats: 12 – 2 – 5 – 7.

Matt McCollem (StL), F, Harvard University

Freshman .. strong skater with a long stride and skates hard every shift .. moves the puck well .. received lots of playing time .. still needs to get stronger .. not producing as much as expected but should develop into a top two-line player .. stats: 12 – 0 – 2 – 2.

Michael Biega (2008), F, Harvard University

Freshman .. had a decent game and rang one off the post .. seems to lack the speed but is dangerous with the puck in the offensive zone and in the scoring areas .. likes to shoot from anywhere and everywhere .. in the third period, he was finishing his checks and playing better along the boards .. recently has been putting up good offensive numbers and took over the team scoring lead .. was passed over in last year's draft, but is making a case for a possible late round pick .. stats: 12 – 6 – 3 – 9.

Boston University

Kevin Shattenkirk (Col), D, Boston University

Freshman .. paired with Sr. Dan McGoff .. received some PP time .. showed good poise with the puck at the point and moves the puck well on the PP .. had an assist on the first goal coming off the PP, as he set-up Pete MacArthur for a one-timer .. still prone to some freshman mistakes like a bad cough-up in the defensive zone that led to a penalty against his team .. does have tremendous potential .. stats: 16 – 2 – 4 – 6.

Brian Strait (Pit), D, Boston University

Sophomore .. paired with Jr. Matt Gilroy .. also plays on the PP and PK .. finishes his checks and steps-up at the blueline .. was more offensive in the second period .. has a soft touch with the puck and can really open up the ice with his long passes .. showed good poise with the puck .. quick shot to the net that is mostly meant for rebounds and tips .. recently named to the U.S. World Junior Team .. stats: 16 – 0 – 7 – 7.

Nick Bonino (SJ), F, Boston University

Freshman .. played on a line with Colin Wilson and Brandon Yip .. this line proves BU's future is bright .. moved from playing center last year with Avon to the wing and it shows a bit in the defensive zone .. had trouble getting the puck off the boards and moving it up the ice .. still proves to be extremely dangerous in the offensive zone .. his foot speed is still an issue, but it has improved dramatically from last year .. has a tendency to over handle the puck at times in the neutral zone .. had a few scoring chances in the first period alone .. received PP time .. goes to the net .. showed tremendous vision on the PP .. works well with Colin Wilson .. his offensive ability stands out and with his continued progress in skating and in the defensive zone, he could turn out to be a solid prospect .. stats: 15 – 4 – 6 – 10.

Colin Wilson (2008), C, Boston University

Freshman .. a top prospect who took a whole period before he showed why he is a top-10 prospect for the upcoming draft .. strong on faceoffs .. looks like a solid skater in form, but speed is questionable, although will need to see again .. seemed to be coasting with the puck .. similar to Bonino in the offensive zone, as Wilson is deadly around the net .. very good hands and poise with the puck .. showed tremendous talent in battling for the puck and dishing it off quickly .. received PP time .. started to show more speed in the third period and between him and Bonino, they must have had over seven scoring chances in the last two periods .. the definite future of BU .. recently named to the U.S. World Junior Team .. stats: 16 – 4 – 8 – 12.

Colby Cohen (Col), D, Boston University

Freshman .. paired with Eric Gryba .. has good size (6-3, 210) and uses it .. has a long stride and is a decent skater .. uses his reach as much as possible to poke the puck away .. gets the puck to the net .. decent with the puck in the defensive zone and could use some more poise .. rang one off the crossbar on a high-rising shot that found its way through a screen .. another BU player with a promising career ahead of him .. stats: 15 – 1 – 5 – 6.

Matt Gilroy (FA), F/D, Boston University

Junior .. one of colleges top free agents, who could sign a pro contract after this season .. moves the puck well and has the ability to skate it up ice and create offense on his own .. likes to join the rush .. a threat to take the puck end-to-end whenever he starts skating the puck .. defensively solid with good positioning but needs to be tougher in the corners and in front of his own net .. stats: 16 – 3 – 6 – 9.

Pete MacArthur (FA), F, Boston University

Senior (captain) .. another free agent with pro potential .. scored on a one-timer on the PP .. has a quick first few strides .. his combination of speed and skill make him tough to defend against .. showed good poise and after a slow start, he is starting to heat up .. stats: 16 – 8 – 9 – 17.