The Portland Press Herald / The Maine Sunday Telegram

Dumoulin exceeding expectations at BC

Brian Dumoulin is enjoying a strong freshman season as a defenseman for the Eagles.

By Rachel Lenzi rlenzi@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

It's customary for Brian Dumoulin to thank all the people who have helped him progress in hockey.

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Brian Dumoulin

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His parents and family.

His coaches in youth, high school and junior hockey.

His teammates and classmates at Biddeford High School.

Now, he has a new contingent to add to that list.

His teammates at Boston College, he said, were instrumental in helping him contribute in his first season of playing Division I hockey.

"My team put me in a position to succeed," Dumoulin said.

Dumoulin will be on defense for the No. 4 Eagles (23-10-3) when they face No. 14 Vermont (17-13-7) at 5 p.m. today in a Hockey East semifinal at TD Garden in Boston.

"We've been playing really good hockey and (Vermont) just knocked off a really good UNH team," Dumoulin said. "Their goalie (Rob Madore) is riding high right now. They're a big, physical team and their defense was all on the team that reached the Frozen Four last year. They're on the bubble and they'll be playing as hard as they can to convince the NCAA tournament committee that they belong."

The winner will face either No. 19 Maine (18-16-3) or No. 20 Boston University (18-16-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday for the Hockey East title and an automatic berth in the 16-team NCAA tournament.

Dumoulin, a Biddeford graduate, recently was named to the Hockey East all-rookie team. He had one goal and 16 assists this season, and led Hockey East in plus-minus rating with a plus-28.

"Brian's had an exceptional year for us," said BC Coach Jerry York. "For an 18-year-old freshman, that's hard to do in the league. Right now he has the highest plus-minus in the league and that's incredible as a freshman. His progression has been very, very good here."

Dumoulin, Patrick Wey, Patch Alber and Philip Samuelsson, have helped the Eagles allow an average of 2.47 goals a game, 11th in the nation and second in Hockey East,

"We have four freshmen on defense on a pretty regular basis," York said. "They've shown a terrific improvement. They're adjusting to the strength factor and the quickness factor you find as you move on to a different league."

Dumoulin credits Boston College's upperclassmen as being influential in their progression.

"Our whole team, it seems like it's nearly freshmen," Dumoulin said. "A lot of us have seen minutes and a lot of our success has come from how the sophomores, juniors and seniors have helped us. They knew we'd be a major part of the team and a big part in contributing. They did a great job of staying level-headed, and keeping us level-headed."

The Eagles enter the Hockey East semifinals as the top remaining seed in the league and a lock to earn at least an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. Dumoulin insists the Eagles are handling the expectations.

"There's no pressure," Dumoulin said. "A lot of people didn't pick us to be this successful, because we had a young team and a lot of injuries early on. People didn't think we'd be a high-caliber team, but we're here. We've played in games like Frozen Fenway, the Denver Cup and the Beanpot, and those have prepared us."

Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be reached at 791-6415 or at:

rlenzi@pressherald.com