2020–21 Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey season explained

The 2020–21 Harvard Crimson Men's ice hockey season would have been the 121st season of play for the program and the 60th season in the ECAC Hockey conference. The Crimson represent Harvard University.

Season

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Despite the issues, Harvard and most of ECAC Hockey were expecting to start playing some time in November. After the teams had assembled and began practicing, however, a sizable number of Yale's players tested positive for coronavirus. On October 16, Yale raised the campus alert status from green to yellow when the 18th member of the men's ice hockey team tested positive.[1] Less than a month later, the Ivy League, Harvard's primary conference, announced that it was cancelling all winter sports for 2020–21. Additionally the schools would not be participating in any Spring sports until the end of February.[2] The announcement was not particularly surprising, considering that, unlike other conference, the Ivy League does not rely on revenue generated from its athletic programs.

Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Harvard's players would lose a season of play.[3] However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.[4] Because of this, players who would have been members of Harvard for the 2021 season had a pathway to leave the program and immediately play for another university.

Departures

Forward Signed Professional Contract (Anaheim Ducks)
Henry Bowlby Forward Signed Professional Contract (Florida Panthers)
Wyllum Deveaux Forward Returned to Juniors (West Kelowna Warriors); rejoined program for following year
Jack Drury Defenseman Signed Professional Contract (Växjö Lakers)
Cameron Gornet Goaltender Graduation
Frédéric Grégoire Forward Graduation
Colton Kerfoot Forward Graduation (signed with KOOVEE)
Nathan Krusko Forward Graduation
Sihak Lee Goaltender Graduation
Defenseman Signed Professional Contract (Vancouver Canucks)
Justin Szeto Forward Graduation
Reilly Walsh Defenseman Signed Professional Contract (New Jersey Devils)

Recruiting

Ryan Drkulec Forward 20 Frisco, TX
Sean Farrell Forward 18 Hopkinton, MA
Selected 124th overall in 2020 NHL Entry Draft
John Fusco Defenseman 19 Westwood, MA
Selected 189th overall in 2020 NHL Entry Draft
Alex Laferriere Defenseman 18 Chatham, NJ
Selected 83rd overall in 2020 NHL Entry Draft
Max Miller Goaltender 19 Ann Arbor, MI
Derek Mullahy Goaltender 19 Scituate, MA
† played junior hockey or equivalent during 2020–21 season.

Roster

As of June 28, 2020.[5] |}

Schedule and results

Season Cancelled

Players drafted into the NHL

2021 NHL Entry Draft

1 13 Matthew Coronato Calgary Flames
5 137 Aku Koskenvuo Vancouver Canucks
5 138 Jack Bar Dallas Stars
† incoming freshman[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 18 members of Yale's men's ice hockey team test positive for Covid-19 . CNN . October 16, 2020. January 25, 2021.
  2. Web site: Ivy League cancels winter sports season, delays spring play . ESPN . November 12, 2020. January 25, 2021.
  3. Web site: NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility . CBS Sports . August 21, 2020. January 25, 2021.
  4. Web site: DI Council grants waiver to allow transfer student-athletes to compete immediately . NCAA . December 16, 2020. January 25, 2021.
  5. Web site: 2019–20 Harvard Men's Ice Hockey Roster . Harvard University .
  6. News: NCAA player rankings, selections in 2021 NHL Draft . USCHO.com . July 24, 2021.