Former Terriers Fighting For Lord Stanley's Cup

Let's take a look around the league at which former BU players will fight for the NHL's ultimate prize when the playoffs kick off on Wednesday.


Brandon Yip -- Colorado Avalanche

The Yipper has had an up and down rookie year, with the downs coming mostly because of his inability to stay on the ice.  He missed the first half of the season with an injury, and just recently returned from a month off thanks to a bad shoulder.  In the six games since his return, Yip has had some trouble finding the scoring touch that got him on the Avs' second line this year, putting up just 1 assist and no goals.  But his rookie year still has to be called a success to a degree, since he has 11 goals and 8 assists in 32 games this year.

Yip is Determined to Make a Difference for the Avs

via Dobber Hockey

Yip is just part of a group of young guns that make the Avs an explosive and hungry threat in the second season.  They're also an inexperienced bunch going into the playoffs as an eight seed.  They'll have the tall task of wrangling with the top seeded San Jose Sharks.  It's unlikely that the Avs can get past the first round, but if they do, you can bet that Yip and his flair for the dramatic will have something to do with it.

Other Terriers in the Avs AHL system that could get the call in the playoffs: Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen, Zach Cohen.




Colin Wilson -- Nashville Predators


Wilson, like Yip, has battled injuries throughout his first season as a pro with the Preds, getting into 35 games this season.  He's put up 8 goals and 7 assists in that time.

Wilson's Preds Are a Long Shot to Beat Chicago

via On The Forecheck

Wilson talked to The Tennessean about his first trip to the NHL Playoffs.  "Everybody says that things go up another notch in the playoffs.  I'm not really nervous, just excited. I'm excited to play in Chicago's rink there because it will certainly set a playoff tone. Their fans are pretty crazy, so there's plenty of excitement and anticipation.''

Also, like Yip's Avs, Wilson's Preds are a big underdog in their opening round tilt.  They'll get the seventh seeded Chicago Blackhawks, one of the most dynamic teams in the league.


Mike Grier -- Buffalo Sabres


Grier is one of the longest tenured Terriers still in the league, and his team is in the playoffs.  Grier has had a decent season in Buffalo, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists in 73 games.  Grier hasn't scored a goal in his last 12 games, and he hasn't exactly been an offensive star for Buffalo this season.  But Grier's strong suit isn't necessarily his knack for the net at this point; it's his playoff experience.  Grier has played in 88 career playoff games, putting up 25 points in that time.  His best run came when he and the Sabres made it all the way to game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Carolina.

Grier is About to Participate in his 10th NHL Playoff Series

via UPI

This year, Grier's Sabres earned a third seed by winning the Northeast Division.  They will spend the first round facing off against the offensively inept Bruins, a series in which the Sabres will enjoy home ice advantage.  Despite their standing, the Sabres are widely regarded as the weakest team in the top four in the East.


Tom Poti -- Washington Capitals


Among the former BU Boys making a run at the cup, Poti probably has the best chance.  Poti has 4 goals and 20 assists this year for the Caps from the blue line.  Poti is also no stranger to the playoffs, as this year's tournament will be his 8th.  The 32-year old is still looking to etch his name on the elusive cup for the first time.

Tom Poti Has Been in the League for 12 Years, But He's Still Searching for a Cup

via The Washington Post

There's a solid chance Poti will get his name on the trophy this season, thanks largely to the fact that he happens to play with the greatest player in all of hockey.  Alex Ovechkin led the Caps to the best regular season record in the league by far.  Thanks to their 121 points, the Caps will get to take advantage of their 30-5-6 home record throughout the playoffs

Other Terriers in the Caps System: Chris Bourque

Jay Pandolfo -- New Jersey Devils

Pandolfo has become less and less of a factor over the years, as the winger put up just 9 points in his 52 games this season.  In fact, he won't even dress for the Devils in Game One against Philly.  Jacques Lemaire is putting Pandolfo's 131 games of post-season experience on the shelf for the opening round.  

Jay already has two Stanley Cups to his name, both with New Jersey, in 2000 and 2003.

Other Terriers in NHL Systems of Teams still alive:
Eric Gryba -- Binghamton Senators (Ottawa)
Johnny Curry -- Scranton Wilkes-Barre Penguins (Pittsburgh)
Brian Strait -- Scranton Wilkes-Barre Penguins (Pittsburgh)
John McCarthy -- Worcester Sharks (San Jose)
Sean Sullivan -- San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix)