More scoring punch for the future; AJ Greer commits to BU

Continuing one of the most productive periods of recruiting in recent memory, BU received a commitment today from yet another highly regard prospect. 6-3, 205 lb. power forward A.J. Greer, a junior left wing and native of Montreal, joined the Terriers’ 2015 recruit class. He recently decommitted from Penn State. USHR reports that Greer, whose advisor is former BU goalie Peter Fish, also considered Lowell, Maine and Vermont.

Greer is in his second season at Kimball Union Academy, where he was a teammate of Terriers Doyle Somerby and Nick Roberto last year, scoring 16 goals and 19 assists in 35 games. A co-captain of the Wildcats, Greer is off to a strong start this season, including a hat trick against Proctor, and had a pre-prep-season stint with the USHL Des Moines Bucs, scoring two goals and an assist in two games. He also played in the EHF fall league for the Little Bruins with a 2-4-6 line in 8 games.

In this past summer’s Beantown Classic, despite being the youngest player in the pro division, Greer was USHR’s #2 ranked player.

Previously, he played for College Esther-Blondin in the Quebec Midget AAA league, scoring 15 goals and 13 assists in 42 games and another 7-3-10 in the post-season, leading the Phénix to the silver medal in the 2012 Telus Cup, the Canadian Midget National Championship.

 

         (Greer scores title-winning goal in QMAAA playoffs)

Following the recent Flood-Marr prep tournament, OverTheBoards posted:

Could be seen drilling pucks at the net whenever an opportunity presented itself and at this level his ability to get shots off in crowded areas with such regularity is a real threat. Greer opened the game up with a well-timed shot that created a rebound and wide-open net for Brown recruit Tyler Bird to land on and deliver right into the net. He followed it up with another goal not much later to make it 2-0.His combination of aggressive offensive-zone instincts and speed, along with a 6’3 build make him a force to reckon with that most defenders, at this level, simply can’t contain.

OverTheBoards also interviewed Greer for its “Leagues of their own” series, earlier this month after he had decommitted from Penn State, examining his development in Quebec and his determination to play NCAA D1 hockey.

The Hockey News recently focused on KUA’s top line where Greer holds down the left wing, calling the trio the “most dangerous line in American prep hockey.” 

► Greer and KUA will take the ice at Frozen Fenway on Sunday, January 11, the day after BU squares off with Maine at the same venue.

WJC Report

Team USA lost in the medal round quarterfinals to Russia, 5-3, and at best can finish fifth place. 2014 recruit Jack Eichel assisted on Team USA’s first goal.

Matt Grzelcyk was one of three U.S. players named team MVPs by the coaching staff. The sophomore defenseman from Charlestown, Mass., had an exceptional tournament, quarterbacking the power play, rushing the puck and in the defensive zone.

SI.com opined:

Team USA’s top three players for the tourney: defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (2012, Boston), center Andrew Copp (2013, Winnipeg) and Hudson Fasching (2013, Los Angeles). No quarrels with those choices, especially Fasching, who was a bull around the net all tournament and looks like another great pick by LA’s scouting director Mike Futa, but it’s hard to believe they overlooked the performance of Jack Eichel. The 17-year-old center isn’t eligible to be drafted until 2015, but he was fantastic in his WJC debut, finishing second on the team with four assists, and fourth with five points. He was the team’s most creative forward and a real truck on the puck. And with a game on the line, he was the center who Lucia sent out to take the two must-win face-offs of the tournament. That says it all right there.

● USA Hockey recap and video highlights , box score

● United States of Hockey recap and analysis/top players
● SB Nation recap

Looking back

Kevin Shattenkirk named to U.S. Olympic Team

● GoTerriers.com report 

● Journal News report