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New Jersey Devils prospect, Matias Vanhanen—the clever Finnish winger who tore up the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips—has decided to take his game to the NCAA with Boston College. It’s a big step for the program—the first time the Eagles have pulled a player straight from the WHL.
The 18-year-old from Nokia showed up in Everett last season and wasted no time making his mark. He piled up 87 points in 62 games—21 goals and a whopping 66 assists—setting a new franchise record for a rookie. That put him near the top of the entire league in scoring and helped drive the Silvertips to their first league title. In the playoffs, he stayed hot with 12 goals and 12 assists in 18 games, then chipped in eight more points during the Memorial Cup run.
Before landing in Washington state, Vanhanen was already turning heads back home. He put up strong numbers in HIFK’s U20 league, earned Rookie of the Year, and even got a taste of pro hockey in the Liiga. The Devils noticed, taking him 37th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. His game is built around quick hands, sharp passes, and the kind of instincts that create chances for everyone on the ice.
Boston College feels like the right fit for his next chapter. The Eagles have a long track record of sending players to the NHL who needed that extra time to round out their games. Guys like Brian Leetch turned into Hall of Famers after their time there, while Johnny Gaudreau, Chris Kreider, and others used the college experience to get stronger and more polished before jumping to the pros. For Vanhanen, facing bigger, older competition in the NCAA should help him add size and compete even harder.
This move shows real confidence from both sides. Vanhanen gets a chance to develop on his own timeline in a strong program, and BC lands a skilled, proven playmaker who could make an immediate impact. Hockey fans in Chestnut Hill have something fresh to look forward to.
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