Two Players Out At Boston Bruins Development Camp.
The Boston Bruins set a record this year for the number of prospects and invited players for their annual development camp. A total of thirty-seven draft picks, prospects or invited free agents were invited this year. Some are trying to sharpen their skills when they go back to college or a junior league next year. A few are trying to make an impression to the Bruins organization with the hopes of landing a contract.
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A couple of players who were on the initial list weren’t in attendance for the skating this year. Matt Grzelcyk, Boston University defenseman (and another Massachusetts native) won’t be able to participate in the on-ice sessions this year. He’s out of action while he’s rehabilitating from ACL surgery.
The 21-year old Grzelcyk initially injured the knee during a practice with the BU Terriers. He was still able to play the final eight games of their regular season. Even with his injury, he still had his best season with the Terriers. He still tallied thirty-eight points(10 goals) in 41 games. He helped Boston University get to the Frozen Four where they battled but lost to Providence College for the NCAA Championship earlier this year.
He was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Grzelcyk will be heading back to Boston University in the fall.
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Also out of action today was Finnish center Joonas Kemppainen. While the big Finn (6’2″, 213 lbs) was scratched from the today’s roster as preventative measure. Kemppainen has some sort of hamstring pull, but could be on the ice sometime during the development camp.
“He had a little bit of a hamstring injury before he came over [to the US]…I think it happened about two weeks ago. “We just wanted to make sure he was checked out, but there’s a chance he’ll be on the ice later in the week.” – Former Bruins forward (and now development coach) Jay Pandolfo on Joonas Kemppainen’s status
Kemppainen was signed to a one-year, two-way contract back in May. It makes sense to let Kemppainen heal. He was one of the players invited to training camp in September. He’ll be battling against Ryan Spooner and Chris Kelly for a job as a bottom-six center in Boston. Kemppainen is one of those ‘under-the radar’ type players who is capable of having periods of remarkable scoring. During the Finnish League playoffs, Kemppainen came alive putting up twenty-four points (10 goals) in 19 games for Liga. During the world championships earlier this year, he tallied nine points(three goals)in eight games.
Kemppainen will most likely end up playing in Providence at the beginning of next season, but will likely get called up to Boston if the B’s have any injuries as the season progresses.