Senior Bobo Carpenter,
along with junior Dante Fabbro, will lead the Terriers this season as co-captains,
with juniors Chad Krys and Jake Oettinger completing the leadership team as
assistants. Carpenter tied Jordan Greenway for third in Hockey East overall
scoring last season with 35 points and produced a team-high 20 goals. Following his
two goals last weekend against Minnesota State, he stands two goals away from
joining BU’s 50 career goals club.
Q. What were the keys to the team's success down
the stretch last year and how do you hope to keep that momentum going into this
season?
A. Our team was able to keep our play very
simple and hard, which helped limit serious mistakes that could hurt us during
games. The best example of this was the Hockey East Championship against
Providence. Our team could feel the energy we created throughout the game.
Q. Game-to-game consistency is something coaches
at every level strive for. How will you help Coach O’Connell achieve it?
A. Communication. It’s the key factor between
players and coaches. With this the coaches can make decisions aiding players on
and off the ice to best prepare the team as a whole when its time to compete
on the weekends.
Q. Besides the usual targets of winning Beanpot,
conference and NCAA hardware, what are your goals for the team this season.
A. We want to be the best team in all areas of
the game possible. This could be the fastest skating, hardest forechecking, or
best defensive play. We will always try to improve as a whole.
Q. Coach O’Connell has indicated he’ll continue
many—but not all—of the systems and methods of David Quinn. What are you seeing
so far that is different?
A. Every coach has their own style and
characteristics they want their team to grow into throughout a season. We will
be a simple and hard working team every night.
Q. You attended New Jersey Devils development camp
again this summer, earning strong reviews. How have these experiences improved
your game and prepared you to play an even bigger role this season?
A. The camps offer a great deal of information
not only about on ice behavior, but off ice as well. I would try to be the
biggest sponge and soak up as much information from all the working personnel
each organization has so that I can incorporate different lessons into my own
routines.
Q. You’ve played both center and right wing for
BU and Coach O’Connell has indicated you’ll likely begin the season at center.
At which position do you feel you’re most effective?
A. I have played most of my hockey career as a
center as my father who was also a center has taught me everything he knows
about the position. I would play either position depending on what the team
needed, as it is also great to be able to play multiple positions.
Q. Last season, BU had the second-best power
play among conference team—led by seven goals from you, Bobo, and 16 points
from you, Dante. Do you anticipate significant changes to the power play system
with Jordan Greenway and Brady Tkachuk gone to the NHL?
A. We will have two highly skilled power play
lines as we have talented players across our roster. We have a lot of guys who
can make simple plays to get the puck on the net.
Q. Two years ago, BU had the best penalty kill
percentage overall among Hockey East teams. That number took a dip last year.
Do you see that turning around this season, especially with five returnees
on defense?
A. We never want to be on the kill from the
start, but we will defend our net with everything our team has. We strive to be
the best at all areas of the game.
Q. We always ask this in the captain’s Q&A:
which returning player (or players) will surprise BU fans by taking his game to
a higher level?
A. Patrick Harper will come out
stronger than ever, as he unfortunately had to miss the second half of our
season last year. He is a player in the locker room that brings an entire new
dynamic of play when he is with the team. His dedication to the sport matched
with his skill is not only a treat for fans to watch, but his teammates to play
with as well.
