Northeastern can breathe a sigh of relief.
On Tuesday, Owen Keefe announced his switch in commitment from Boston University to Northeastern via Instagram.
Why the sigh of relief? Keefe is the son of Huskies bench boss Jerry Keefe.
"It feels great," Owen Keefe said. "With Northeastern, my heart has always been there, and growing up there, it just seems so fitting. Living the dream come true."
The younger Keefe committed to Boston University in the fall of 2022. At 6 feet and 194 pounds, Keefe has long been a sought-after defenseman since his days with the Boston Jr. Eagles and Malden Catholic.
Watching the last two Beanpots left Keefe with a change of heart.
"Last year, I watched Northeastern win the Beanpot in person and that was pretty awesome. It still didn't really cross my mind at all to commit there yet but it was still a special feeling," Keefe said. "This year, watching the Beanpot in overtime, both weeks with two huge goals. You get chills and you want to be a part of that and that was where I almost fell back in love."
Initially, Keefe didn't feel like he could play for his father. He told us as much last year.
Now 17 years old and having spent the last two seasons in the USHL, things have changed.
"I think just maturing a lot," Keefe said. "Being away from home for the last two years and it's going to be three years now. Every time he says something, it's to help me get better in every aspect of life whether it's hockey, whether it's just being a good person, school or anything like that. I realized that a lot now and this is what he wants for me and it's always what's best for me and the people that we care about."
Another element was the reality of competing against his father on a regular basis.
"I didn't think it would be as hard as I thought it was going to be to play against my dad and playing against Northeastern when I committed [to BU]," Keefe said. "I think that's kind of part of it."
The switch in commitment is something the Keefe family is ecstatic about.
"Everyone in my family is pretty pumped up for me," he said. "My grandparents on my dad's side — they haven't seen me play a game in person since I was at Malden Catholic. It'll be pretty cool for them to get to go to a Northeastern game and cheer on me and my dad at the same time."
The plan is for Keefe to do one more year in the USHL.
In April 2022, Keefe was tendered by the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks. After 13 points in 59 games for them last season, the Saugus, Mass., native began the current campaign with them before being dealt to the Sioux City Musketeers. He has two goals and eight points in 32 games this season.
Keefe is also a 2024 NHL Draft prospect, coming in at No. 122 among North American skaters, according to NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings. He ranks at No. 8 on our list of local NHL Draft prospects.
Here is some other recent college commitment news.
Andrew O'Sullivan to Colgate
Earlier this month, O'Sullivan announced his commitment to Colgate. The junior '06 has lit up prep this winter, ranking first in the region among defensemen in points with 48 in 30 games. At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, O'Sullivan is known for his vision and offensive ability. O'Sullivan, a Boston native, spent time with the Boston Advantage and was taken in the third round (33rd overall) by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 2022 USHL Phase 1 Draft.
KUA still has talent that is Division 1 caliber who aren't committed yet, such as defenseman Jack McMinn and forwards Corwith Simmers, Kyle Murray-Smith (South Stafford, Vt.) and Malcolm Baar.
Jack McDonough to St. Lawrence
McDonough announced on Jan. 31 that he would play college hockey at St. Lawrence. The Duxbury, Mass., native has long been part of the Boston Advantage and is playing for Lovell Academy this season. The 6-foot, 174-pound forward has been one of the better '07s in the region, making USA Hockey's Select 15 camp in 2022 and Select 16s in 2023. At Select 16s, McDonough scored three goals and tallied seven points in five games.
Ryan Lucarelli to Sacred Heart
Last week, Lucarelli announced his commitment to Sacred Heart. The '06 is in the middle of a breakout season with Canterbury, posting 10 goals and 38 points in 28 games. For the past three fall seasons, Lucarelli was a prominent member of the Neponset Valley River Rats. At 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, Lucarelli made USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp last summer, posting three assists in six games. His father, Bob Lucarelli, spent four seasons with Quinnipiac in the early 1990s.
RECRUITING: What happened on the college hockey recruiting scene over the winter?Â
Blake Jones to American International College
Just a few days before Lucarelli pledged for Sacred Heart, Jones committed to AIC. The Avon Old Farms defenseman has been a stalwart for head coach John Gardner, posting three goals and 17 points in 23 games. Jones, who stands at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, is a Winnipeg native.
Other local colleges committing players...
- Maine: Defenseman Dylan Lebret ('07) of Shattuck St. Mary's 16U
- Merrimack: Defenseman Vinny Ipri ('06) of BK Selects 18U
- UMass Lowell: Forward Charlie Kresl ('06) of BK Selects 18U
- Dartmouth: Forward Wyatt Blace ('07) of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)
- Middlebury: Goalie Kam Carkner ('05) of St. Sebastian's
