Boston Bruins Well Represented in Pre-World Juniors Camp
Boston Bruins Well Represented in Pre-World Juniors Camp With Three Prospects Invited
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
A few Boston Bruins prospects have a good opportunity to showcase their ability this month. With the 2016 World Junior Championship tournament set to get underway on December 26th of 2015, the United States pre-tournament camp roster was announced and Bruins’ prospects Brandon Carlo, Anders Bjork, and Ryan Donato were all invited. The World Junior Championship tournament allows for the best young players in the world to come together and play for their country, as well as for NHL scouts in the cases of certain players who haven’t been drafted yet — Brandon Carlo played in the 2015 World Junior Championship tournament before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2015 draft. The management of the Boston Bruins are definitely going to keep an eye on their three draft picks should they all make the tournament, as it will be a good indication of where their prospects are currently at in their individual phases of development.
Each player brings something different to the table in terms of ability and skill-set:
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The Boston Bruins drafted Brandon Carlo with the 37th pick of the 2015 NHL draft. With his 6-foot-5, 200 pound frame, Carlo is able to physically intimidate opponents and disrupt opposing offenses. Despite being such a large player, Brandon Carlo is an incredibly smooth skater and mobile defender. With a good use of angles on the ice, Carlo makes it difficult for his opponents to make a play before running out of space. Carlo is known for his strong defensive abilities, but also lacks offensive ability that most top-2 defenders have. In 63 games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL last season, Carlo put up 4 goals and 21 assists for 25 points. He has improved on those numbers significantly so far in the 2015-16 season, however, posting two goals and 12 assists for 14 points in 20 games. The Bruins shouldn’t expect any sort of offense out of Carlo when he finally makes the main roster, however, he should provide a very strong defensive-mindset that the Bruins can use for years to come.
Anders Bjork was selected with the 146th pick in the 2014 NHL draft and has been a pleasant surprise every since. With an impressive rookie campaign at the University of Notre Dame, Bjork showcased his ability to play in all three zones while also contributing as a secondary scorer when needed. In his rookie season at Notre Dame, Anders Bjork scored seven goals and added 15 assists for 22 points in 41 games. The 2015-16 season has seen a significant uptick in points for Bjork who has scored five goals and added 10 assists for 15 points in 16 games so far this season. While Bjork likely projects to be a low-end second liner or high-end third liner, he still has a lot of time to improve his play all around to prove he deserves an NHL roster spot down, and potentially improve in his currently projected lineup potential.
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Ryan Donato was the Bruins second round draft pick from the 2014 draft, being selected with the 56th overall pick. After playing for the South Shore Kings of the USPHL-PR and compiling five goals and five assists for 10 points in 13 games, as well as for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL and compiling five goals and five assists for 10 points in eight games during the 2014-15 season, Donato began his career at Harvard. Continuing his impressive point totals at the collegiate level, Donato has scored four goals and added five assists for nine points in 10 games in the 2015-16 season so far. Ryan Donato brings a level of skill to the Bruins that they significantly lacked prior to the 2014-15 season. With an increase in skilled players joining the Bruins roster as of late in the form of Ryan Spooner, Frank Vatrano, and David Pastrnak, it seems like Ryan Donato will fit right in to the Bruins system. Donato is also a very capable two-way player as well, and he holds himself accountable in all three zones, which is an important trait for all Bruins hockey players to possess if they intend on succeeding in the team’s current system.
The pre-tournament will consist of the best-of-the-best young prospects in the United States. The competition will be fierce, but each of the Bruins prospects will likely work their hardest to earn the opportunity to represent their country at the international level.
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports