Coming into USA Hockey's Women's National Team Evaluation Camp earlier this month at the University of New England, nearly a third of the 36 campers were a product of Boston College.

Eight players from the Eagles’ 2013-14 squad that reached the NCAA quarterfinals were at the camp. Incoming BC freshman defenseman Megan Keller was there. Plus, two alums were invited. Defenseman Blake Bolden graduated in 2013 while goalie and 2014 Olympian Molly Schaus last played for the Eagles in 2011.

In addition, eight BC players were invited to the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival in August in Lake Placid, N.Y., and seven made the U.S. Women’s Under-22 Select Team that went on to compete in a three-game series with Canada’s U22 team.

“A bunch of us made the Under-22 event, so we played with each other then, and now being back with everyone in a similar group and adding in the older players is awesome,” junior forward Dana Trivigno said. “Being able to play with your [college] teammates now, and us getting a jump start [on the college season], is very nice.”

BC junior forward Haley Skarupa joined Trivigno on the U.S. team that swept Canada in the three-game U22 series in Calgary.

“It was actually a lot of fun,” Skarupa said. “Obviously we did really well, and I thought it was a good start to camps like this going forward and even [the start] of the season.”

Boston College starts its season on Saturday against Syracuse University. Skarupa hopes the team will be able to maintain the chemistry it had last season and continue to have fun.

Depth, as evidenced by the Eagles’ deep connections to the national team, was key to BC’s success last year.

“As a unit we were pretty deep,” Trivigno said. “There were a lot of people who we could play with, and no matter who we were playing with, there was always someone there that could help you out. We have a very good team, and our coach [Katie Crowley] does a very good job bringing the right girls together.”

Skarupa said she and her fellow sophomores were able to build from their freshman season in 2012-13. As juniors this year, she expects a stronger season.

The junior class had four players on the U.S. U22 squad: Skarupa and Trivigno, plus Olympian Alex Carpenter and Lexi Bender. Seniors Emily Field and Emily Pfalzer joined them on the team, as did sophomore Andie Anastos.

As a sophomore, Trivigno was sixth on the Eagles in scoring with 12 goals and 16 assists in 33 contests. She said what led to her individual success was her off-ice conditioning. Skarupa led the team with 41 points, which included 25 goals.

The team is returning eight of its top ten scorers from last season but loses its starting goaltender, Corinne Boyles, who attended the evaluation camp. She went 23-7-2 with a 1.66 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.

In addition, the team has a strong incoming freshman class, highlighted by Keller.

“This year especially, we have a great group of freshmen,” Trivigno said. “They will all make an impact on the team.

“Megan Keller is a great defenseman, good at moving the puck quick, has a great set of hands. That's just the start of the incoming freshman class.”

Skarupa likes what she sees from the young defenseman.

“It's really fun to see because [Keller] is so young and she will develop and get so much better,” Skarupa said. “So I think it's very promising for our BC team to have her along.”

All of which will ultimately benefit Team USA in the years to come.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.