Prep star JC Brassard commits to Union

by Ryan Fay

Union junior defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere may have one season to go in his collegiate career, but the Dutchmen have already landed his eventual replacement.

Meet JC Brassard, a senior defenseman at Noble and Greenough (MA) who recently committed to Union for the 2015-2016 season.

JC Brassard in action for Noble and
Greenough
Credit: Dave Arnold -
www.DaveArnoldPhotography.com

"I'll probably be a very offensive defenseman like Gostisbehere," Brassard said of his expected role with the Dutchmen. "That's who Union is bringing me in to replace. I'll have huge shoes to fill. He's an unbelievable player, but I hope I can do my best as an offensive defenseman and a power play guy."

Like Gostisbehere, who has 26 points (8 g, 18 a) in 29 games this season, Brassard has an impressive offensive resume of his own.

He was the top point-getter among New England prep defensemen this season with 43 points (11 g, 32 a) in 27 games. As a junior, he accumulated 26 points (5 g, 21 a) in 26 contests.

"He has outstanding skills," said longtime Noble and Greenough boys varsity hockey head coach Brian Day. "He sees the ice incredibly well. He makes a terrific first pass. He jumps up into the play offensively. He's terrific at running a power play. He's able to put pucks through the net. He has a good shot, and he has the ability to pick corners. He's just a very gifted offensive defenseman."

Brassard, who checks in at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, isn't a slouch on defense, either.

"He's certainly not a liability out there," Day said. "He was out there in every key situation for us, and he understands the importance of a defenseman playing good defense. He understands his role as far as where he should be in our schemes. He's a very good defender. That part of his game is going to continue to improve."

The 18-year-old served as Noble and Greenough's captain this season.

"He's a kid who leads by example," Day said. "He works incredibly hard every day in practice. He gives it his best, and he loves being on the ice. He will speak up in the locker room when the time is right. He's a kid who is equally effective both by what he says and what he does."

Brassard's overall skill set made him one of the top 20 uncommitted defensemen according to the recruiting website overtheboards.net. Last summer, he was one of only three Massachusetts prep players listed on NHL Central Scouting's Futures List for 2013-2014.

Union recruited the Scituate, Massachusetts native going back to last year, but communication escalated in recent weeks. When the Dutchmen coaching staff called and made him an offer last weekend, he "took it on the spot."

A few factors helped the Dutchmen win out over ECAC Hockey rival Cornell, Atlantic Hockey's Holy Cross and Hockey East's Vermont.

"For my parents, it was the Garnet Blades, the support system that they have. That really got them," Brassard said. "But for me, it was hearing that the coaches would take small groups of players out even before practice, do skill development stuff, and just work on what you need to work on."

Before debuting at Messa Rink in the fall of 2015, Brassard will play a season of junior hockey. He's deciding between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League and the Sioux Falls Stampede of the U.S Hockey League.

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