BC Men's Hockey Welcomes Back Special Guests After Clinching Beanpot Championship

The Eagles picked up their 16th win of the season with a smackdown of BU in the 300th edition of the Battle of Comm. Ave.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Boston College men's hockey team celebrated its Beanpot Championship victory over Boston University with a special group of former players in attendance, including Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault, and Jacob Fowler. These players, who were part of the 2023 recruiting class that led the Eagles to a Hockey East title and a National Championship berth, were on hand to witness the team's 6-2 triumph over their cross-town rivals.

Why it matters

The presence of these former BC hockey stars, who went on to have successful professional careers, underscores the strong alumni connection and camaraderie within the program. Their support and enthusiasm for the current team's accomplishments highlight the lasting impact of the university's hockey tradition.

The details

The four former players - Smith, Leonard, Perreault, and Fowler - all came to BC in 2023 from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP). As true freshmen, they helped lead the Eagles to a Hockey East title and a National Championship berth. Smith and Leonard were named Hobey Baker Award finalists during their BC careers, while Fowler received multiple Hockey East Goaltender of the Year Awards and the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top goaltender.

  • The 2026 Beanpot Championship game was played on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The four former BC players - Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault, and Jacob Fowler - were in attendance to witness the Eagles' 6-2 victory over Boston University.

The players

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What they’re saying

“We had a couple guys that played with us that were able to come back and be here tonight. So to be able to have their support is also a huge help.”

— James Hagens, Sophomore forward (Instagram)

What’s next

The No. 14-ranked Eagles have a home-and-away series scheduled with Merrimack this upcoming weekend, though it is unclear if the former players will be in attendance for those games.

The takeaway

The presence of the former BC hockey stars at the Beanpot Championship game highlights the strong alumni connections and sense of community within the program. Their support and enthusiasm for the current team's success underscores the lasting impact of the university's hockey tradition and the camaraderie that extends beyond the players' time on the ice.