May 1, 2014

BOSTON - Head coach David Quinn of the Boston University men's ice hockey team is proud to announce that six student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to join the Terriers for the 2014-15 season.

This talented group is comprised of three forwards and three defensemen with a trio coming from Massachusetts and the others hailing from Alberta, Minnesota and New Jersey.

Two of them helped Team USA capture the gold medal at the U18 World Championships in Finland this past Sunday. The Class of 2018 also includes one of the top players in all of Canadian Junior A, a skilled forward from the national champions at Shattuck St. Mary's, one of the top scorers in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and a local defenseman who was an Independent School League (ISL) All-Star. Four members of the group are in the final NHL Central Scouting Service (CSS) rankings for the 2014 NHL Draft and another is expected to be near the very top of the 2015 draft rankings.

"We really could not be more happy with this group of incoming freshmen," said Quinn. "All six of these guys have very bright futures and will be expected to be strong contributors both on and off the ice right from day one. This class is also expected to grow in number, as my staff and I plan on adding a few more players for the upcoming season."

Brien Diffley
D • 6-2 • 180 • Burlington, Mass. • Buckingham, Browne & Nichols
Played at BB&N the past two seasons after helping Burlington High School claim a state championship in 2012 ... Named a 2014 Eberhart Division ISL All-Star ... Posted 30 points (5g, 25a) in 55 games during his two seasons at BB&N ... Posted three goals and 10 assists during the 2012-13 campaign to help the Knights finish with a record of 16-8-3 ... Played fall hockey for the Junior Bruins in the USPHL Elite division, recording five points on two goals and three assists in 11 games ... His shootout game-winner lifted Burlington to the Valley Hockey League's North American title in 2012 ... Earned a spot in the 2011 Fall Showcase.

Quinn on Diffley: "A good-sized defenseman who can really skate and move the puck... keeps the game simple... has a really bright future here at BU."

Jack Eichel
F • 6-1 • 191 • North Chelmsford, Mass. • U.S. National Under-18 Team
Ranked No. 1 overall in this year's class by College Hockey News ... Named one of Team USA's top players at last month's U18 World Championship, helping the team capture the gold medal after earning a silver medal last year as the squad's youngest player ... Served as an assistant captain at this year's U18 tournament and posted 10 points, including five goals ... Tallied 87 points (38g, 49a) in 53 games this season to lead U18 squad ... That point total was fourth-highest in NTDP history ... Youngest player on 2014 U.S. World Junior Team and tallied four points (1g, 3a) in the tournament ... In 2012-13, finished second on U17 squad in goals (19) and points (34) before moving up to U18 team, where he scored 10 goals and eight assists in 22 games ... Put up an impressive 39-47--86 scoring line in 36 games with for the Boston Junior Bruins Empire League squad in 2011-12 ... Skated for Team USA at 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Austria.

Quinn on Eichel: "One of the most heralded incoming freshmen to come to Boston University in a long time... obviously we're thrilled to have him... not only a great player, but a great kid... has a lot to offer our program both on and off the ice."

Brandon Hickey
D • 6-2 • 180 • Leduc, Alta. • Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
Spent past two seasons with Spruce Grove after playing in Leduc Oil Kings Bantam and Midget programs ... Pushed Saints to 2014 AJHL title (Gas Drive Cup) to qualify for Western Canada Cup playoffs ... Has totaled 27 points (4g, 23a) in 62 games this year ... Top-ranked AJHL player (63rd) and second-ranked Canadian Junior A player in NHL's final 2014 Central Scouting rankings for North American skaters ... Tallied a goal and six assists during 2012-13 campaign ... Earned bronze medal playing for Canada West in the 2013 World Junior A Challenge ... Also played for Canada Pacific in the 2013 World U17 Tournament ... Selected to participate in 2012 Tellus Cup tournament.

Quinn on Hickey: "Fantastic skater, similar to Matt Grzelcyk ... good-sized defenseman with offensive upside ... understands his responsibilities and sees the ice well ... plays really well on the defensive end... should be a great player here."

John MacLeod
D • 6-1 • 198 • Dracut, Mass. • U.S. National Under-18 Team
Earned gold medal with Team USA at U18 World Championships in Finland on Sunday ... Selected to participate in CCM/USA Hockey's All-American Prospects Game ... Tallied 11 points (5g, 6a) in 52 games for U18 squad this season ... Was on U17 team that captured title at 2012 Four Nations Tournament and placed third at 2013 World U17 Challenge ... Played 2011-12 season at Kimball Union Academy with current Terriers Doyle Somerby and Nick Roberto ... Helped KUA capture the NEPSIHA Small School title at 2012 Piatelli/Simmons Tournament ... Also played for the Cleveland Barons Midget Minor team and Cardigan Mountain School ... Ranked 44th in NHL's final 2014 Central Scouting rankings for North American skaters.

Quinn on MacLeod: "Big, strong, tough defenseman that will bring a lot of grit and passion to our lineup... a character guy... someone that other teams will have to be aware of when he's on the ice."

Chase Phelps
F • 6-1 • 185 • Edina, Minn. • Shattuck St. Mary's
Helped Shattuck's Midget Prep squad take home the title at the 2014 USA Hockey Tier 1 U18 Nationals ... Also led Shattuck to championship at World Sport School Challenge in Calgary, where he tallied seven points (5g, 2a) in five games ... Finished fourth on the team in scoring this past season with 66 points (24g, 42a) in 53 games ... Earned a spot on USA Hockey's Select U18 squad for the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Tournament ... Selected to participate at the 2013 USA Hockey Development Camp ... Has scored at least 50 points all four seasons at Shattuck St. Mary's, including the U16 squad in 2011-12 and the Bantam team in 2010-11 ... Ranked 163rd in NHL's final 2014 Central Scouting rankings for North American skaters.

Quinn on Phelps: "A hard-nosed player that never takes a shift off... teammates love him and look up to him... really excited about him and his future here."

J.J. Piccinich
F • 6-0 • 190 • Paramus, N.J. • Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Spent the past two seasons with Youngstown and helped them reach the semifinals of the 2013 USHL Clark Cup ... Finished second on the Phantoms in points (58), goals (27) and assists (31) this season ... Goal total ranked tied for ninth in league ... Named USHL Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 7 ... Added 17 points (4g, 13a) in his first year with the squad ... Skated with the U.S. Under-18 Team in an exhibition against Miami ... Played 2011-12 season with the U16 North Jersey Avalanche AAA team, posting league highs in both goals (23) and points (42) ... Helped North Jersey advance to championship game at 2011 Bauer Invitational ... Also played at Paramus High School ... Ranked 135th in NHL's final 2014 Central Scouting rankings for North American skaters.

Quinn on Piccinich: "Makes great plays in the offensive zone... strong on his skates and gets to the dirty areas... game translates well to college hockey... another guy who people will enjoy away from the rink."