Latest news with #ColeEiserman
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Cole Eiserman's elite asset is almost unexplainable — his old coaches dish on what sets him apart
Cole Eiserman's former coaches can agree the Islanders draftee has one of the best shots they've ever seen. But ask different coaches what exactly makes Eiserman's shot so tough to stop, and the theories will vary. There is no consensus. Advertisement Tim Kyrkostas, one of Eiserman's youth coaches in the Boston area, pointed to an 'understanding of the concept of time and space.' Kyrkostas — who has also coached NHLers Shayne Gostisbehere, Jakob Chychrun and Brandon Duhaime at the youth level — compared Eiserman's hockey sense to Matthew Tkachuk. 'Matthew knows how to see and find the soft areas and get open down near the net,' Kyrkostas said. 'I think Cole's demonstrated that.' Advertisement Others believe it's Eiserman's release that separates him from his peers. Mike Busconi, who coached Eiserman in eighth grade, said he thinks it all comes down to core strength, which enables Eiserman to get more torque behind his shot. 'He's 6-foot-1, 190 pounds,' Busconi said. 'But I bet if you compare him with other 6-1, 190-pound kids, he's in the top percentile in physical strength.' Cole Eiserman runs a drill during the Islanders' developmental camp on June 30, 2025. Heather Khalifa for New York Post Advertisement Eiserman, selected with the 20th pick in the 2024 draft, is coming off a 25-goal freshman season at Boston University, which lost to Western Michigan in the national championship game in April. U.S. National Team Development Program head coach Nick Fohr and Peter Morris, Eiserman's old peewee coach, agreed on their assessment: it's all in the hands. 'For me, it's a release thing,' Fohr said. 'It just happens quicker than what people are used to. The puck's already off his stick in a lot of cases when it wouldn't be off somebody else's, and it's to the goalie before he realizes it's there.' Cole Eiserman, who was with Boston University, scores a goal against Penn State during a game last season. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Advertisement Morris agreed, adding that Eiserman has learned how to optimize his stick's kick point, the flex or bend that generates power during a shot. 'It's not a slow buildup,' Morris said. 'His bottom hand really leans into it. It's short, it's quick, it's explosive.' On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Eiserman, himself, doesn't have an explanation. He sees his shot as a 'God-given gift' that he's spent years perfecting. And he plans to keep working at it. 'I care about it so much. I like to call it my superpower,' Eiserman said. 'I realized that at a pretty young age, and then decided just to work on it, because I've always been gifted with it.'
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Islanders Cole Eiserman: More Than A One-Timer Threat
New York Islanders prospect Cole Eiserman had a stellar 2024-25 rookie season at Boston University, scoring 25 goals in 39 games, where he led all NCAA freshmen in goals and ranked fifth among all NCAA skaters. While the production from the Islanders' 2024 first-round pick (No. 20) speaks for itself, Eiserman's ability to score not only from his signature spot at the left hashmarks but also from the slot and around the net offers optimism that his skillset will translate to the next level. Advertisement Eiserman also showed impressive versatility in his shot selection, consistently beating goaltenders both high and low: The 18-year-old will return to Boston University for his sophomore season this fall, where he is expected to take on an elevated role as a regular in the Terriers' top six. With the additions of transfer Sacha Boisvert and CHL import Ryder Ritchie, it will be exciting to see whether Eiserman's offensive game can reach another level. PHOTO: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Michael Ostrower wrote this story.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hockey East commissioner foresees NCAA colleges overtaking CHL as top producer of NHL talent
FILE - In this Saturday, April 13, 2019 file photo, Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin stands behind players during the second period of the team's NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey championship game against Massachusetts in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File) The ice is cleared during a timeout in the first period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament between Boston University and Penn State, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) and teammate Wyatt Schingoethe (18) celebrate a double overtime victory over Denver in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Boston University's Cole Eiserman (34) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament against Penn State, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Boston University's Cole Eiserman (34) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament against Penn State, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) FILE - In this Saturday, April 13, 2019 file photo, Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin stands behind players during the second period of the team's NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey championship game against Massachusetts in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File) The ice is cleared during a timeout in the first period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament between Boston University and Penn State, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) and teammate Wyatt Schingoethe (18) celebrate a double overtime victory over Denver in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Boston University's Cole Eiserman (34) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament against Penn State, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) ST. LOUIS (AP) — In a rapidly changing and evolving U.S. college athletic landscape, Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf sees clarity on the horizon for the NCAA becoming North America's top producer of NHL draft-ready talent. 'I don't think it's that complicated,' Metcalf told The Associated Press on Friday during the Frozen Four championships. '(The CHL and USHL) will feed players up into college hockey. And college hockey will feed the players up to the NHL.' Advertisement Metcalf's vision would represent a dramatic shift in hockey's developmental hierarchy, with the NCAA surpassing the Canadian Hockey League, which has traditionally served as the NHL's top provider of overall and specifically Canadian-born talent. And it comes in the wake of the NCAA's Division 1 Council reaching a landmark decision in November to allow Canadian Hockey League players compete at U.S. colleges starting next season. Though there's been a rise of high-profile Canadian players — among them Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and most recently Macklin Celebrini, drafted first overall by San Jose in June — coming out of the college ranks, the NCAA's decision has the potential of opening the floodgates of cross-border movement. CHL player eligibility was part of a wide-ranging discussion during the Frozen Four's annual state of the game panel discussion, which included Metcalf, who also serves as president of the hockey commissioners' association. Top-seeded Western Michigan (33-7-1), making its first Frozen Four appearance, will play five-time champion Boston University (24-13-2) in the final on Saturday night. The finalists feature a combined 22 NHL draft selections, led by BU's 14. Advertisement The NCAA's decision lifted its longstanding ban on CHL players, who were previously deemed to be professionals because they received a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses. In doing so, the council opened the door for a major change in how players approaching their 16th birthdays decide where to play. Rather than having to choose between one or the other, CHL players can now play NCAA hockey when they become college eligible. The question is how long it might take for the transformation to become apparent at the college hockey level. And the future of college sports is already murky due to unresolved questions over the impact of name image and likeness (NIL) issues, and whether roster caps will be instituted for participating schools. 'It's going to take some time because it's so new and no CHL player has gotten to college and played yet,' Metcalf said. Advertisement 'But I do think college hockey is going be stronger as we come out of this,' he added, noting college hockey players currently make up about a third of NHL rosters. 'That number is going increase dramatically.' Numerous CHL players have already committed to U.S. colleges. And speculation abounded in St. Louis as to whether high-profile CHL players might attract bidding wars among schools. 'There's a lot of rumors a lot of numbers being thrown around, and who knows what's fact or not. But obviously it's out there, and it's part of what we are growing into,' Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin said. 'All I can say is that we can only do what we can do. Other schools can do what they can do, so wherever that lands with a recruit, that's their choice.' USHL and USA Hockey officials have expressed concern over the potential rise in Canadians entering the college ranks coming at the expense of American players who previously filled those roster spots. Both bodies' executives have suggested U.S. Congress perhaps consider placing a roster cap on how many non-Americans can compete on various teams, not just hockey. Advertisement Metcalf dismissed the idea. 'My immediate reaction is that's the opposite of the direction we're going in, restriction and capping anything,' he said. 'College hockey coaches and college hockey is interested in getting the best players they can, wherever they're from.' ___ AP college sports:
CBS News
11-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Boston University going for sixth college hockey championship Saturday vs. Western Michigan
Boston University will be playing for a national championship Saturday night, with the Terriers set to face Western Michigan after both teams earned Frozen Four victories Thursday in St. Louis. Boston University is hoping to return to Comm. Ave with the school's sixth title and first since 2009. Boston University beat Penn State, 3-1, Thursday night on second period goals by senior forward Jack Hughes (2 goals, 2 assists in the tournament) and freshman forward Cole Eiserman (8 goals in his last 7 games). The Nittany Lions made it a 2-1 game early in the third, but freshman goalie Mikhail Yegorov made 17 of his 32 saves in the final frame and Jack Harvey added an empty netter in the final minute to seal the victory for the Terriers. After losing in the semifinals the last two years, BU is breathing a big sigh of a relief over making the championship round this year. But the Terriers know their work isn't done in St. Louis. "We all come here for a reason: To win a national championship. Having the opportunity to do that is exciting," said Hughes, a Westwood native. "That's been our goal the whole way. It's a little bit of a relief for now, but then we'll get back to work and hopefully win it all." "We came up short the last two years, and that helped our team have an understanding you have to play a certain way to get to that final game. We know the job isn't done yet," head coach Jay Pandolfo said after Thursday night's win. "[Western Michigan] is a very structured team with a lot of offensive talent. It's going to be a tough matchup for us." The Terriers will face a Western Michigan squad coming off a 3-2 win in double overtime over defending champion Denver on Thursday night. Saturday night will be the fifth time Boston University and Western Michigan square off, with the Terriers victorious in the previous four matchups. The two schools last met in the 2023 regional finals, which Boston University won 5-1 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Western Michigan is the No. 4 overall seed and sits at 32-7-1 on the season following wins over Minnesota State, UMass, and Denver in the NCAA Tournament. All three of the Broncos wins in the tourney have been one-goal victories. Boston University was 5-0-2 in one-goal games this season, including the a 3-2 tournament win over Cornell to win the Toledo region and make the Frozen Four. "If you're going to win a championship, you have to find a way to win those tight games," Pandolfo said Thursday. "We've been in enough of them this year." The Terriers are off to the title round for the first time since 2015, when they lost to Providence at TD Garden. Boston University's last won a championship in 2009, when the school beat Miami of Ohio, 4-3, in overtime to give head coach Jack Parker his third and final title. Saturday will mark the 12th time Boston University plays in the national title game, with the Terriers 5-6 in their previous appearances. This is Western Michigan's first trip to the NCAA championship game. Pandolfo won a championship at BU as a player back in 1995, and is now going for his first as head coach of the Terriers. This year was the seventh time he made it to the Frozen Four as a player or a head coach. "I was fortunate to play on really good teams when I was a player at BU, and we only won one time, so I have a pretty good understanding of how hard it is to win," Pandolfo said Thursday. If BU wins Saturday, sophomore Shane Lachance of Andover will become the third member of his family to win a title with the Terriers. His father, Scott, won a championship at Boston University in 1991, before he had a 13-year career in the NHL. Lachance is also the grandson of Jack Parker, who won a title with the Terriers as a player in 1967 and three as BU's head coach over his 40-year, Hall of Fame career on the bench.
Washington Post
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Hughes, Eiserman score 2nd-period goals in Boston U's 3-1 Frozen 4 semifinal win over Penn State
ST. LOUIS — Jack Hughes and Cole Eiserman scored second-period goals and Boston University beat Penn State 3-1 on Thursday night to advance to its first Frozen Four final in 10 years. Freshman Mikhail Yegorov stopped 32 shots and Jack Harvey scored an empty-netter with a minute left for BU (24-12-2), which lost in the semifinals in each of the past two years. The Terriers are five-time champions, who lost to Providence in the 2015 and are seeking their first title since beating Miami (Ohio) in 2009.
