The iconic ‘Freshman Line’ at Boston College, which San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith centered during the 23-24 season, has officially moved to the NHL.
Smith was the first of the three to make the jump, playing the entirety of this season in the NHL with the Sharks. On Monday, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault signed with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers.
BC was the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament but fell to Denver University in the Manchester Regional Final 3-1. DU and BC met in the National Championship game last season.
Leonard was taken eighth overall by the Capitals in 2023, four picks behind Smith. In 37 games this season, Leonard scored 30 goals and 19 assists. He also led Team USA at the World Juniors to the gold medal as the team captain.
Perreault will join the Rangers, and reports suggest he is an option to play as early as Wednesday.
Smith and the San Jose Sharks will visit another BC teammate, Cutter Gauthier, on Tuesday when they play the Anaheim Ducks.
In an article from The Athletic, the Sharks forward comments on Perreault and how he thinks he will play in the NHL.
“He’s a stud,” Smith said. “Best vision I’ve ever played with.”
Perreault had 16 goals and 32 assists in 37 games for BC this season.
“I think he’s ready whenever he wants. He’s that good,” Smith told The Athletic.
The Capitals have already clinched a playoff spot, and now Leonard can potentially witness Alex Ovechkin break the NHL goalscoring record.
As for Perreault, the 2023 23rd overall pick will jump into the lineup and try to help the Rangers sneak into the second Wild Card spot.
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