Defenseman commits for 2013; Courtnall departs

With the addition of Ahti Oksanen solidifying the upcoming season’s defense corps, BU took another step to strengthen its future along the blueline, obtaining a commitment from St. Sebastian’s defenseman Dalton MacAfee for the fall of 2013. MacAfee, a 6’0”, 180 lb. Needham, Mass. native, was the second highest scoring defenseman (1-15-16 in 28 games) on an Arrows squad that was led by current BU freshman Danny O’Regan and that reached the championship game of the NEPSAC Martin/Earl division.

MacAfee also is a standout lacrosse midfielder who had committed to Notre Dame a year ago for that sport. After taking a big step up as junior on the St. Seb’s blueline, MacAfee elected to focus on hockey during college.

He comes from a very well-known and athletic family. His grandfather, Ken MacAfee, was an NFL wide receiver during the 1950s and played on the New York Giants 1956 championship team. His father, Ken MacAfee, Jr., was a standout tight end at Notre Dame, where he was Heisman finalist as a senior, before playing in the NFL with San Francisco.

USHR calls MacAfee “is a highly-mobile, puck-moving defenseman who is also very good in his own end. MacAfee played very well at Harvard’s camp a couple of weeks ago, where BU assistant Mike Bavis watched him closely.”

MacAfee is the third defenseman in the 2013 recruit class, along with Marc Hetnik, Jr., and Doyle Sommerby.  

► Left wing Justin Courtnall has elected to skip his senior season and has signed a minor-league contract with the AHL Providence Bruins. The 6-3 British Columbia native impressed during the Boston Bruins development camp last month and was offered a contract. Prior to coming to BU, Courtnall played for the BCHL Victoria Grizzlies. His departure reduces BU's roster to 25 (15 forwards), including two other former Grizzlies, freshmen Wes Myron and Mike Moran, who will be among those competing for ice time.