Top Division I college hockey schools usually have rosters stuffed full of highly-sought, high-profile players. When these high-end players perform well on the ice, they’re rewarded with professional contracts. Highly drafted players rarely stay all four years. Next season, Boston College will suffer from the success of their former players.
When the Washington Capitals signed 21-year-old Zach Sanford to a three-year entry-level deal, he was the seventh underclassmen from the Eagles to sign a professional contract during the offseason. The Eagles seven early departures are tops in college hockey. For comparison sake, North Dakota, and Michigan suffered five early departures this summer.
As it stands next season, the Eagles will have no players in their junior class. The class of 2018 has departed Chestnut Hill, MA. Unless there’s a junior transfer to the Eagles from another program this fall, there will be no need for a senior day in 2018.
The Eagles list of early departures is impressive. During the summer of 2016, the Eagles have lost Zach Sanford (signed with Washington Capitals), Alex Tuch (signed with the Minnesota Wild), Steve Santini (signed by the New Jersey Devils), Miles Wood (signed by the New Jersey Devils) , Adam Gilmour (Minnesota Wild), Ian McCoshen (signed by the Florida Panthers) , Thatcher Demko (signed by the Vancouver Canucks).
Next season, the Eagles will be in need of some offense. With these early departures, the Eagles lose 38% of their goals scoring and 61% of their total points from last season. They also lose a top-flight starting goalie.
