New things a-‘Bruin in Boston.
The Boston Bruins just finished up their development camp yesterday. The camp held in Ristuccia Arena, had for the last six years, been helpful to potential Boston Bruins players. Obviously, it involves giving the prospects hands-on time on the ice, honing and perfecting their skill set. It also gives the hopeful new Bruins skills on how to handle the media, and how to project a certain maturity on and off the ice.
The players entered this year with various levels of expierence. Players like Tommy Cross who have been here all six years. Ryan Spooner, who has been here for three. Also, there are rookies like Malcolm Subban, this years’ first round draft pick. When the 18 year old goalie was asked about what his plans were for his first development camp; “Getting my foot in the door and making a good first impression.” said Subban. These players are positioning themselves for the day they get to wear the ‘Big B’ on their chest. GM Peter Chiarelli’s goal here was not just to make good players on the ice but to have them “getting mentally prepared for every game and every practice.”
Were their stand outs? Did camp director(and asst. coach)Sweeney and Chiarelli see players that were ready to wear the B? Three prospects were mentioned more than the others. First, defenseman Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton, first round draft pick in 2011(overall 9th). As for forwards, Jared Knight and Ryan Spooner both picked in the second round of 2010(Overall 32nd and 45th), were on the mind of GM Chiarelli. “We call them ‘the usual suspects,'” Chiarelli said. “I think Spooner and Jared Knight are going to challenge. I think Dougie is going to challenge. I don’t want to leave anybody out, but that’s who I like to call ‘the usual suspects.'”
There’s is a lot of depth in this development camp. Subban, Krug, Cross and Sexton will all very likely make the Providence roster. I believe we can all remember how deep the Bruins were dipping into the Providence roster with the Bruins’ injury laden season last year. With the head office being extremely casual about free agency this year, it looks that the current roster and the up-and-comers are making the administration very happy with what is a-Bruin this year for Boston.
(Editor’s Note) To my fellow members of Bruins Nation, whom I regard as the biggest fraternity/sorority I’ve ever been charmed to cross paths with, I have some amazing news of a not entirely personal level. I know that a few of you have followed my blogs since I started here about five weeks ago, and I’ve been flattered and sincerly honored by the responses. Yesterday, my ‘hockey guru’, the person who brought me into this bizarre and exciting world of hockey asked his girlfriend (and fellow adoptee) to marry him, and she accepted. The photo below was taken just moments after the BALL OF HATE jumbotron moment. Little brother, dear sister, I am blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for hockey and all the things they came with it. I can’t wait to officiate your marriage and be the one that gets to declare you ‘husband and wife’. (I told you my resume’ was weird.)
