Boston College and Boston University Make History at Top of Newest Poll

The Boston College and Boston University hockey teams have had some impassioned battles on the ice over the years, but this time, the Eagles and Terriers are on the same side of history.

For the first time ever, BC and BU are ranked first and second atop the NCAA Division One men's hockey poll. In the Week 10 U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) rankings, the 13-3-1 Eagles command the top spot, just ahead of the 11-4-1 Terriers.

In Chestnut Hill, BC has been led by freshman forward Gabe Perreault (25 points), sophomore Cutter Gauthier (23 points), and freshman Will Smith (23 points). Gauthier has lit the lamp 13 times this season, tied for the second-best total in NCAA Division One.

Goaltender Jacob Fowler has been a steady presence between the pipes for the Eagles, manning the crease for all 17 of their games this season and posting a 2.16 goals against average.

On the Boston University side, 17-year-old freshman Macklin Celebrini has burst onto the scene, recording 25 points in 15. Celebrini is eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, and is a very strong candidate to be selected first overall.

Terriers defenseman Lane Huston, a Hobey Baker finalist last season (awarded to the top NCAA hockey player), has picked up right where he left off, scoring eight goals and dishing out 12 assists from the back end.

The two schools are littered with NHL draftees. 13 players on each squad have heard their name called on draft day, headlined by the BC's Will Smith (fourth overall in 2023), Cutter Gauthier (fifth overall in 2022), and Ryan Leonard (eighth overall in 2023).

In 2023, Boston College became the third school in NCAA history to have two players selected in the top ten when the San Jose Sharks selected Lexington, Mass. native Smith and the Washington Capitals took Amherst, Mass. native Leonard.

The two schools will face off in a home-and-home series on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27. BC will host Friday night's contest at Conte Forum before the site shifts to BU's Agganis Arena on Saturday. The two schools are also matched up for a semifinal tilt in the 71st edition of Boston's iconic Beanpot tournament on Feb. 5.