Expectations are high for the Boston College Men’s Hockey team going into the 2024-2025 season. The Eagles finished with a 34-6-1 record last season, making it to the National Championship game of the Frozen Four before falling to the University of Denver.
This season, the Eagles will be without two of their top performers from last season: Will Smith and Cutter Gauthier. Gauthier scored 38 goals in 41 games as a sophomore, tying the record for most goals in a single season in program history. Gauthier was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist, NCAA-All American, and Hockey East First Team All-Star. After concluding the 2024-2025 season with the Eagles, he ended his collegiate career by signing an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
Smith led the nation with 71 points as a freshman, the most points in a single season since 2013-2014 for BC. The freshman forward shined in the Hockey East Championship Final, scoring four goals in one game and getting named the Hockey East Championship MVP. Smith signed with the San Jose Sharks in May.
Losing Gauthier and Smith, two of the best players in NCAA Men’s Hockey last season, is undoubtedly a blow for the Eagles. However, another strong freshman class looks to make an immediate impact on the ice.
Freshman James Hagens is expected to take Smith’s spot on the first line with returners Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Hagens is in prime position to hit the ground running. The forward has played the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Hagens’ brother, Michael Hagens, will also be joining the Eagles as a defenseman.
The Eagles’ freshman class also consists of several 2024 NHL Draft picks. The Boston Bruins picked center Dean Letourneau with the 25th overall pick. Letourneau enters his first season at BC after spending the past two years at St. Andrews College in Ontario, Canada. Measuring at 6 feet 7 inches tall, the freshman forward certainly has the physical stature to succeed at the collegiate level.
Other newcomers include Teddy Stiga, who was taken 55th overall by the Nashville Predators, and Will Skahan, who was taken with the 65th overall pick by the Utah Hockey Club. Stiga and Skahan both have experience playing with Hagens in the USNTDP.
BC also retained a number of key players from the 2023-2024 season. Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard elected to return for his sophomore year—a huge win for the Eagles. He tallied 31 goals as a freshman, the third most in the country. Sophomore Gabe Perreault also will be returning to BC. Despite not playing several games due to injury, Perreault accumulated 60 points last season. The Eagles look to have a stellar offense this season with the combination of Hagens, Leonard, and Perreault.
Defensively, sophomore Jacob Fowler returns as the Eagles’ goaltender. Fowler solidified himself as one of the best goaltenders in college hockey last season. Captain Eamon Powell also returns as a 5th year graduate student for the Eagles. Powell offers extensive experience that will be beneficial to a mostly young team.
Despite losing two of the most prolific players in college hockey, the Eagles look poised to have another exciting season. BC will open the season with two away games against Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12. The Eagles will make their long-awaited return to Conte Forum on Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m. against American International College.
