John Gaudreau chooses Boston College

[Freeway]

According to his Twitter, Flames draftee John Gaudreau will join Bill Arnold at Boston College next season.

Arnold made the Hockey East All-Rookie team as Boston College won the conference's championship last season. Arnold was also named to the conference's All-Academic team.

[Caged Great]

Good. He'll tear the NCAA apart.

[Vulcan]

Conroy was saying the same thing the other day. IIRC he said Gaudreau was also considering the OHL as it might enhance his pro aspirations but they wanted him to follow what he really wanted to do. I think College will be best for him until his body matures a little more and he'll have the option of waiting for 4 years to go pro.

[flamesaresmokin]

Good news. This is a great school with a great hockey program. Hopefully they can get him to bulk up a bit and play a significant role in the offence.

[bubbsy]

Hopefully they've got a great gym and an all you can eat meal plan

[mrdonkey]

I opened the main page and only saw "John Gaudreau has committed..." and immediately feared the worst.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Conroy was saying the same thing the other day. IIRC he said Gaudreau was also considering the OHL as it might enhance his pro aspirations but they wanted him to follow what he really wanted to do. I think College will be best for him until his body matures a little more and he'll have the option of waiting for 4 years to go pro.

I liked this approach that Conroy described as well. Feaster let his wishes be known that they want players to do what they really thought were best for them and that the Flames would support them.

In Gaudreau's particular case, a lower number of games (NCAA vs OHL) may just be what the doctor order such that he can spend more time in the gym and physically mature.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by cral12

I liked this approach that Conroy described as well. Feaster let his wishes be known that they want players to do what they really thought were best for them and that the Flames would support them.

In Gaudreau's particular case, a lower number of games (NCAA vs OHL) may just be what the doctor order such that he can spend more time in the gym and physically mature.

Bill Arnold's experience probably factored in, too. BC has had a good program dating back to Chuck Kobasew and I'm sure that team is happy the Flames are encouraging their younger guys to consider them for college.

[RockOnRoberts]

Really need to work on the phrasing here. Scared the hell out of me.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by Freeway

According to his Twitter, Flames draftee John Gaudreau will join Bill Arnold at Boston College next season.

Arnold made the Hockey East All-Rookie team as Boston College won the conference's championship last season. Arnold was also named to the conference's All-Academic team.

Just wondering. When you say "next season", do you mean '11-'12 or '12-'13?

Nevermind- just heard Conroy's interview.

[Stay Golden]

Better fit for Gaudreau in the NCAA rather than getting pounded on in the OHL. Smart move and BC is a good program.

[flamestalker]

Gerbe was also developed in the same program so it bodes well for Gaudreau's development.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Good. He'll tear the NCAA apart.

I hope you are right, but i'm going to temper my expectations. It's still a big jump for him.

I'm just hoping he won't get physically destroyed before he has a chance to build up some strength and grow a little.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by 868904

I hope you are right, but i'm going to temper my expectations. It's still a big jump for him.

I'm just hoping he won't get physically destroyed before he has a chance to build up some strength and grow a little.

There's always a bunch of shorter players leading the NCAA in scoring. Usually they don't translate though. It's not unusual for a 5'6 guy to be leading the league.

[flamesrule14]

What's BC's depth chart looking like? Is he going to be a top 6 guy his first year?

[Beerfest]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

What's BC's depth chart looking like? Is he going to be a top 6 guy his first year?

Im not sure, but looking at their numbers from last year it appears that they had lots of 1988/1989 guys high up in their scoring. Not sure how many of them will still be around.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/l...005602011.html

[fanman]

Well Arnold is a pretty husky kid, so hopefully he can help Gaudreau put on a bit of muscle. It should be good for him to be around another Flames prospect who's been part of the program there for a while to help him out. Hopefully they both tear it up next season!

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Beerfest

Im not sure, but looking at their numbers from last year it appears that they had lots of 1988/1989 guys high up in their scoring. Not sure how many of them will still be around.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/l...005602011.html

RW Cam Atkinson has signed with Columbus.
F Brian Gibbons graduated.
RW Jimmy Hayes has signed with Chicago.
F Joe Whitney graduated.
G John Muse has graduated.
D Philip Samuelsson has signed with Pittsburgh.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Freeway

RW Cam Atkinson has signed with Columbus.
F Brian Gibbons graduated.
RW Jimmy Hayes has signed with Chicago.
F Joe Whitney graduated.
G John Muse has graduated.
D Philip Samuelsson has signed with Pittsburgh.

So basically Arnold and Gaudreau have a good shot at being top 6 forwards with BC.

Let's hope, that would be nice to see how they do.

[Parallex]

Quick link to an blog I found mentioning it.

http://www.bcinterruption.com/2011/8...-matt-gaudreau

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

So basically Arnold and Gaudreau have a good shot at being top 6 forwards with BC.

Might be a bit tough for Gaudreau since he'll be a freshman and all.