Shattenkirk, Bonino among free agency winners

On the first day of NHL free agency, five former Terriers were on the move, with Kevin Shattenkirk and Nick Bonino making the biggest splashes. New York native Shattenkirk, who had been traded to Washington late in the season, signed a four-year, $26.6 million deal with his hometown New York Rangers, realizing a childhood dream of playing for the Blueshirts.

Congrats to classmates Nick Bonino & Kevin Shattenkirk on big paydays with new teams. 4-year deals worth a combined $43 million! #ProudToBU

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) July 1, 2017

Bonino—Shattenkirk’s teammate on the 2009 BU national championship team—had won the Stanley Cup the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, but got the four-year $16.5 million contract he sought from Nashville.  The Predators have multiple connections with BU. Matt O’Connor signed a two-way deal with Nashville and three draft picks—Dante Fabbro, Patrick Harper and David Farrrance—along with Hank Crone are in Nashville development camp. A pair of longtime team staffers are assistant GM Paul Fenton and Chief Amateur Scout Jeff Kealty.

However, the Bonino signing made longtime Predator Colin Wilson—another standout on the 2009 BU squad—expendable and he was traded to Colorado for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft. The former All-American had 237 points in 502 games for Nashville.

After spending last season with the Manitoba Moose, Brian Strait heads back East, signing a two-way deal with New Jersey. He’d previously played four seasons with the New York Islanders.

Defenseman Adam Clendening, who played 31 games  last season with the Rangers, has signed on with the Arizona Coyotes and will be looking to assume a full-time role. Clendening has also had stints with Chicago, Pittsburgh and Edmonton

● NHL.com Shattenkirk agrees to contract with Rangers

● New York Times Rangers reach deal with Shattenkirk

● NHL.com Bonino signs with Nashville

● The Tennessean  Predators see Bonino contributing more

● NHL.com/Colorado Avs acquire Wilson

● NHL.com/New Jersey Devils sign defenseman Strait

● NHL.com/Arizona Clendening seeks chance to play regularly

Being a big goaltender who does a good job at watching plays develop, Jake Oettinger says his game is a lot like Ben Bishop's. pic.twitter.com/hi6Z14ypj0

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 30, 2017

Oettinger talks with Dallas staff. (At 1:06 note former Terrier forward and assistant coach Buddy Powers, now a Stars’ scout, on the left).

Development camps

And the winner of today's 3-on-3 tournament is... TEAM SULLIVAN!

Of course Sully's team is the winner. 😉 pic.twitter.com/NcuPqRtCnq

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 1, 2017

Undrafted junior Bobo Carpenter is in Penguins development camp and, according to some observers, has been one of the top forwards.

2018 recruit Ryan O’Donnell is in Toronto development camp. The defenseman from Gloucester, Ontario will play for BCHL Penticton next season.

● TheLeafsNation.com draft profile

Looking back

Former Terrier Clark Donatelli was named by USA Hockey to coach the US U18 Select team in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August.  A three-year Terrier and US Olympian, Donatelli is currently head coach of the AHL Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins.

● USA Hockey report