Two BC Recruits Heading to the USHL

Two highly recruited Boston Eagles are heading to the USHL.

Jimmy Hayes (forward) has left the National Team Development Program for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League. Hayes was in an unique situation where his birth date is November 21, 1989. He was an overager on the Under 18 squad this season. What do I mean? Every player except him was 17 or younger; he’s 18.

Coming into the season he was slated to go in the top five of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Right now according to the NHL Central Scouting, he’s the 65^th best available player in North America. Once you factor in European skaters into the mix, he’s a late 3^rd round pick.

He hasn’t put up the points with the Under 18 squad. In 23 games, he has two goals and six assists. The Lincoln Stars had to do a trade with the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets at the trade deadline. The Stars sent Mike Henderson, a second and third round picks in the 2008 USHL Draft, a first round pick in the 2009 draft and first and second round picks in the 2008 Futures Draft. The Blue Jackets sent the rights to Hayes and second and third round picks of the 2008 USHL Draft. The Blue Jackets then turned around and sent Henderson to Wichita Falls of the North American

Hayes will be in the stretch run for the playoffs. It could rejuvenate him and show off his skills to the NHL Scouts. The Stars are in third place in the West Division. They have a record of 21 wins, 15 losses, and 3 overtime losses, for 45 points. They are 12 points back of Omaha for first place.

Tommy Cross (defenseman) was a second round draft pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2007 NHL draft has signed with the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets. He was with Westminster Prep of the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association. He was playing as a post graduate; he graduated from Westminster in 2007. His 2007 stats are unavailable but he had eight goals and twelve assists in 25 contests last season. He will be a freshman with Boston College next season.

That's My Take

Nathan Fournier

Jimmy Hayes photo courtesy of D. Reuter of Hockey Journal.

Tommy Cross photo is courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers website.

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)