Published in the July 14, 2016 edition
CASEY FITZGERALD
(Boston College Photo)
NORTH READING — With the 86th pick in the NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres selected North Reading’s Casey Fitzgerald from Boston College.
Fitzgerald went undrafted as a freshman last year but had an impressive year for the Eagles, with four goals and 23 assists. He was tied for fourth on the Eagles in assists – his brother, Ryan also had 23.
A 5 ft. 10 in., 173 lb. defenseman, Casey is a product of the USNTDP (US National Team Development Program) and turned 19 in February. He will be a sophomore with the Eagles in this upcoming season, having led all defensemen in scoring last year as a freshman as well as tied for the team lead with a +27 rating.
Fitzgerald was named to the Hockey East Pro Ambitions All–Rookie Team and had the assist on the game winning power play goal as the Eagles advanced to the Frozen Four. He was the second most productive rookie in college hockey and the 11th highest–scoring defenseman.
Before enrolling at Boston College, Fitzgerald was a member of the gold medal winning U.S. Men’s National under 18 Team, finishing with the best plus/minus rating of the team with a +12 at the 2015 IIHF U–18 Men’s World Championship.
Casey is the son of Tom and Kerry Fitzgerald, 3 Samuel Phelps Way. Tom Fitzgerald played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League and American Hockey League. He currently serves as assistant general manager of the New Jersey Devils.
He won the Stanley Cup in 2009 as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and brought the Cup to North Reading.
