Boston College Preps for Key Hockey East Clash with New Hampshire
The No. 15/14 Boston College Eagles are back in action this weekend with a pivotal Hockey East home-and-home series against New Hampshire.
Friday night’s tilt drops the puck at Kelley Rink before the two teams head north to the Whittemore Center for Saturday’s rematch. Both games are set for 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+, with radio coverage on WEEI 850 AM (Friday) and WEEI 93.7 FM (Saturday).
Where Things Stand
Boston College enters the weekend at 11-8-1 overall and 7-5-0 in conference play. It’s been a season of growth and grit for the Eagles, who currently sit at No. 15 in the USCHO.com poll and are tied for No. 14 in the USA Hockey rankings. Meanwhile, New Hampshire comes in at 11-10-0 overall and 5-6-0 in Hockey East, looking to climb back into the mix after a tough weekend against Northeastern.
Recapping the Providence Series
Last weekend, BC returned to regular-season play with a pair of hard-fought losses to No. 14 Providence-both by 4-3 scores, the first in overtime at home and the second on the road. Despite the results, there were plenty of encouraging signs.
On Friday, Brady Berard, Will Moore, and Teddy Stiga lit the lamp for the Eagles, while Andre Gasseau made a noticeable impact in his return from injury, notching a pair of assists in his first game since late October.
Saturday’s matchup saw BC’s power play come to life, accounting for all three goals. Ryan Conmy, Luka Radivojevic, and Gasseau each found the back of the net with the man advantage. Radivojevic added two assists for a career-best three-point night, and freshman phenom James Hagens dished out a career-high three assists of his own.
Between the pipes, Louka Cloutier turned aside 49 shots across the two games, including 34 saves in Saturday’s contest. His steady presence has been a key factor in BC’s success this season.
Eagles by the Numbers
James Hagens continues to lead the way offensively with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists), showcasing the elite vision and playmaking that earned him early Hobey Baker buzz. Dean Letourneau leads the team in goals with 11, while Jake Sondreal has quietly become a key facilitator, topping the assist chart with 13.
Ryan Conmy has chipped in eight goals-four of them on the power play-while Radivojevic’s recent surge has added another layer of depth to the forward group.
On the defensive end, Nolan Joyce leads the team with 24 blocked shots, just ahead of Aram Minnetian’s 23. And in goal, Cloutier has compiled a 10-6-1 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average, numbers that reflect both his consistency and competitiveness.
Hobey and Humanitarian Honors
This week brought well-earned recognition for two of BC’s standouts. Both Letourneau and Hagens were named nominees for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. Last year, Ryan Leonard made it all the way to the Hobey Hat Trick, and this year’s duo is poised to follow in those footsteps.
Hagens also received a nod for the 2026 Hockey Humanitarian Award, which honors a player who makes a meaningful impact off the ice. Before heading to the IIHF World Junior Championship, Hagens launched “Hagens’ Helpers,” a partnership with Feeding America aimed at supporting families in need. It’s the kind of leadership that resonates beyond the rink.
Scouting the Wildcats
New Hampshire is coming off a tough weekend, having dropped back-to-back games to Northeastern by scores of 4-0 and 5-2. Still, the Wildcats have shown they can compete, and they’ll be hungry to bounce back.
Nick Ring and Morgan Winters are tied for the team lead with 15 points apiece. Winters leads the way in goals with nine, while Ring has a team-best 11 assists. In net, Kyle Chauvette has been the workhorse, starting 19 games and posting a 2.43 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and three shutouts.
A Rivalry with History
This matchup has a rich history, and lately, it’s been all Eagles. BC holds an 85-68-17 advantage in the all-time series and went 2-0-1 against UNH last season, grabbing eight of a possible nine points. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with the Wildcats, going 8-0-1 during that stretch.
Eagles Making NHL Noise
Several former BC stars are making waves in the NHL:
- Spencer Knight (Chicago) recorded his third shutout of the season with a 32-save gem against Winnipeg.
- Gabe Perreault (NY Rangers) notched his first multi-goal game on January 14.
- Alex Tuch (Buffalo) has been on a tear, registering points in eight of his last nine games.
- Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim) scored twice in a 5-3 win over the Rangers on Monday.
It’s a testament to the program’s ability to develop top-tier talent that transitions seamlessly to the pro level.
What’s Next
After this weekend’s series, BC turns its attention to one of college hockey’s marquee rivalries-the Battle of Comm Ave. The Eagles head to Agganis Arena next Friday for the 299th meeting with Boston University. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., with coverage on NESN, ESPN+, and WEEI 850 AM.
But first, it’s all about taking care of business against New Hampshire. With conference points on the line and momentum up for grabs, this weekend offers a crucial opportunity for the Eagles to reassert themselves in the Hockey East race.