Terriers Dealing With Yasin Cisss Departure by Jashvina Shah/Staff Beat Reporter BOSTON - For the second time

in almost a year, Boston Universitys mens ice hockey team watched another player leave Agganis Arena in the middle of the season. Last December it was Charlie Coyle who traded in his Terrier skates, a move that happened just after the first half of the season finished. This time it was forward Yasin Ciss, who left the Terriers to play major-junior hockey with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. I knew two days ago [he would leave] when I told him he wasnt going to dress for the next game, BU head coach Jack Parker said on Wednesday. He went out and practiced hard the rest of that practice. I told him before practice on Monday and he went out and practiced hard and then he came in Monday night right after practice and told me he wanted to leave. He said he wants to leave because hes upset with the fact that he didnt want to have to play for a position, hes not progressing the way he wants to progress and and he wants to go play major junior hockey before hes too old for that. Since returning to play last season after suffering an injury his freshman year, the Westmount, Que. native had appeared in 38 contests and seven points. He recorded two helpers this season, the first of which he scored against St. Lawrence on Nov. 24. Parker said he moved Ciss to the top line to play with Wade Megan and Cason Hohmann to combat some of Cisss struggles. Hohmann and Megan, who are No. 1 and 2 on the team in scoring, have combined for 29 points thus far. We gave him every opportunity to step into a better role than he had his first year playing, Parker said. Like Ciss, Coyle also went to play major-junior hockey last season. Parker said he doesnt see Ciss replicating Coyles numbers in the league. I hope he does. I wish him nothing but the best. I hope he becomes a big star and gets to the NHL. It would be great for him. But I dont know if thats going to happen, Parker said. The head coach also said he didnt think the move will help Cisss hockey skills. I don't think anybody can improve better playing juniors, Parker said. Despite Cisss departure, which comes two games before the end of the seasons first half, the redshirt sophomore isn't leaving the Terriers negatively.

He left on good terms with me and I know he left on good terms with everyone of his teammates. He addressed his team, I think even before he addressed me he addressed the team, Parker said. Thats not unexpected. Hes a real good kid, a real character kid. Hes just not happy, he doesnt perceive himself to be a third-line or a fourth line guy. He wants to be a first-line guy. Parker didnt take offense to the 6-foot-3 forwards departure either. Im not in the business of making 20-year-olds or 21-year-olds miserable, Parker said. Hes really unhappy. The transition, which leaves the Terriers with 12 forwards who have played this year, wont affect team chemistry -- even though his teammates were sad to see him leave. "Unfortunately we've had that a couple times here, defenseman Sean Escobedo said. I think it just brings us closer together because when a guy leaves like that were able to lean on each other a little more due to the fact that were all kind of experiencing the same thing so were able to come together and be more unified so I think it brings the chemistry almost a little bit higher. Taking Cisss spot in the top line will be Sahir Gill, while Mike Moran will take the remaining spot in the lineup. Parker said the decision was made before Ciss announced he was leaving. Parker said the team is considering adding another player if an injury occurs, but he will also consider having skaters play out of position to fill those spots.