This is the fourth installment of a seven part series introducing you to the newest members of the Boston University Terriers Men's Ice Hockey team. Here we will be looking at the resumes of the new recruits Jack Parker and Co. have brought in to try to fill the shoes of the dearly departed group of 8 players from the 08-09 championship squad.
How do you replace a 6'1" , 200 pound monster of a defenseman from Boston who was so good he decided to leave college a year early and go play for the defending Stanley Cup Champs?
Well, you bring in a 6'0" , 190 pound monster of a defenseman from Bayside, New York to step in and knock people out on the blue line.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Sean Escobedo.
One thing this kid is going to give you is physicality. We're talking physicality to the tune of 76 penalty minutes in 59 games last season. We're talking keep your head up if you don't want to lose it.
What this kid won't give you is an offense presence. Escobedo put up exaclty zero goals in juniors for the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. Don't fret, people; Strait scored just 5 goals in his three seasons in the Scarlet and White.
(Sioux Falls' biggest alum is most likely Thomas Vanek, who holds the majority of the club's scoring records)
Escobedo is ranked as the 154th North American skater by the NHL. In addition to his time in the USHL, he spent two seasons starring in the EJHL. But now it is on to the big stage for the New York Native.
Jack Parker certainly likes the idea of getting a big body on the blue line. As Parker told GoTerriers.com,:
If there's one thing that can make a good team great, it's strong, solid defenders. We all saw Kieran Millan show flashes of brilliance often during last year's championship season, but nobody denies that Millan could not have put up the numbers he did without the best defense in the nation in front of him."Parker on Escobedo: “We’ve replaced a left-shot, strong defenseman in Strait with Escobedo and I think people will think of him as that type of player. A stay-at-home, physical defenseman.”
Escobedo should assume a fair amount of responsibility on the blue line as a freshman. Big guys on defense isn't the most exciting thing on earth, but besides goaltending, it is the most important. So even if he doesn't light the red lamp at Aggannis, he could quickly become a quiet force helping to keep a young team very steady.
And apparently, he likes to wear a cowboy hat?
Look for Escobedo standing tall on the blue line wearing Jason Lawrence's #21.
Articles About Sean Escobedo:
NHL.com Prospects Central
Escobedo on Hockeydb
Escobedo Interviewed by ESPN 1230-AM
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