Parker Announces Incoming Hockey Class
May 31, 2001 | Men's Ice Hockey
Terrier veteran hockey coach Jack Parker has announced that four players from the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI, along with an outstanding player from the Des Moines (IA) Buccaneers of the U.S. Hockey League will be attending Boston University in September.
The five include three forwards-Brian McConnell and Justin Maiser from the highly-successful NTDP in Ann Arbor and David Klema from the USHL, and two defensemen-Ryan Whitney and Bryan Miller from the NTDP.
With the addition of McConnell, Maiser, Whitney, and Miller, it gives the Terriers seven former players from the National Development Program. The other three are defensemen Pat Aufiero and Freddy Meyer and forward John Sabo. Actually, there would have been eight former products of the Michigan program had goalie Rick DiPietro not opted for the NHL draft at the conclusion of last year. Had DiPietro remained with the Terriers instead of signing with the New York Islanders, he would be entering his junior year at B.U.
Geographically, two of the five players are from Massachusetts-McConnell from Norfolk and Whitney from Scituate. In addition, there are two from Minnesota-Maiser from Edina and Klema from Roseau, while Miller is from Wayne, NJ.
"With these five players, we have improved our team in two major areas," said Parker, who will take an overall record of 630-315-61 into his 29th year at the Terrier helm.
"First of all, we have added size up front with Klema, McConnell, and Maiser," the coach went on. "All three are very skilled physical players. They are the power forwards that we need.
"Secondly, we have two top-notch defensemen in Whitney and Miller," said Parker. "Both are solid offensive defensemen."
"All five will play major roles for us next year," predicted Parker.
Below is a closer look at the five recruits, alphabetically.
David Klema, 6-1, 175-pound center: During last season, he played in all 56 of the Des Moines Buccaneers' games and finished with 13 goals and 40 assists for 53 points. He also received the Buccaneer Booster Club Award as the team's top rookie. The year before, he played at Roseau (MN) High School where he scored 25 goals and added 35 assists, while, in his junior season of 1998-99, Roseau won the Minnesota State High School Class AA Hockey Tournament. Parker on Klema: "David is really clever with his hands. He is a good skater and can really move the puck."
Justin Maiser, 6-1, 187-pound wing During the past season, he played in 52 games for the U.S. National Under-18 team. He scored 16 goals and had 16 assists for 32 points. His point total was sixth overall on the team, while his 16 goals ranked third. He scored his lone international goal in a 2-1 victory over Slovakia in a game played in February. He also added four assists in international competition…The year before, he split time between the Under-17 and Under-18 National Teams and had 17-34-51 in 75 games. During the year, he played in 11 international games and had four goals and three assists. Parker on Maiser: "Justin is a very smooth skater. He is also a good finisher."
Brian McConnell, 6-2, 189-pound center: During the past season, he played in 55 games for the U.S. National Under-18 team. He scored 16 goals and added 21 assists for 37 points, as he ranked fifth on the team overall in points. Six of his goals came in international competition, as he led the team in that category. Four of his six goals came in the Five Nations Cup last November, while he added two goals in a game against Slovakia in February. An excellent leader, he was voted by his teammates team captain at the World Under-18 Championship in Finland. During the 1999-2000 season, he played for the U.S. National Under-17 team and had 13-18-31 in 64 games. Parker On McConnell: "Brian is a big, physical center, who is an in-your-face competitive player. He is also a very good point producer. He is a good skater and a clever puckhandler.
Bryan Miller, 5-10, 178-pound defenseman: During the past season, he played in 54 games for the U.S. National Under-18 team and had 15 goals and 25 assists, as he ranked fourth on the team in points. He led the team in international points with nine on a goal and eight assists. He was one of seven players in his first season in the NTDP to play full-time with the Under-18 team. The year before, he played for the Chicago Freeze in the North American Hockey League. In 55 games, he had 11-25-36 and was one of the youngest players on the squad. Parker on Miller: "Bryan is an offensive defenseman who will be a great addition to the point on our power play. He also does an excellent job getting the puck out of his own zone."
Ryan Whitney, 6-4, 192-pound defenseman During the past season, he played in 52 games for the U.S. National Under-18 team and had 9-29-38. He was the team's top-scoring defenseman, while he ranked fourth on the team overall in scoring. Four of his goals came on the power play. He also notched a hat trick against David Klema's Des Moines Buccaneers. In addition, he played in all nine of the team's international games and had three assists. As was the case with Miller, he was one of seven players in his first season in the NTDP to play full-time with the Under-18 team. During the 1999-2000 season, he played at Thayer Academy and had 5-36-41 in 21 games. He spent part of the year with the U.S. National Under-17 team and played at the World Under-17 Challenge in Ontario, Canada and in a series against the Swiss Under-18 Team. Parker on Whitney: "He is a solid offensive and defensive defenseman. He is a great passer and has a booming shot which will make him a valuable player on the point on our power play."
"I really like this class a lot," said Parker. Others do, as well. In the May 16th edition of The Red Line Report, Kyle Woodlief wrote: "With all the returns in now from the late signing period, Red Line has analyzed all of the incoming freshman recruiting classes in the U.S. college hockey, and here is our ranking of which schools did the best recruiting job: 1. Boston University-Not a huge class, but all top quality." "Both Brian (Durocher) and Mike (Bavis) worked very hard recruiting this class, and it paid off," concluded Parker. "They are all very talented players and they have played at the highest level. In addition to their playing experience they will bring a lot of confidence with them. "I am really looking forward to their joining our program."
