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2016 NHL Entry Draft: Boston Bruins Pick Trent Frederic

By Andrew Thompson

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Trent Frederic poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-nine overall draft pick by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Trent Frederic poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-nine overall draft pick by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Bruins ended up using their second pick (and the 29th overall – obtained from the Sharks a year ago in exchange for goalie Martin Jones – who had been acquired from the Kings for Milan Lucic), to select forward Trent Frederic of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

He’s 6’2″, 203 pounds and still growing. He’s got great hands that will only get better as he progresses into NCAA hockey. While his speed isn’t where I’d like it to be, he seems to be progressing nicely.

Fans thought this was a bit of head-scratcher. (Frederic was projected as a late-second/ early third-round pick. Personally, I am going to reserve judgment until we see how he does on college ice. He will be playing at the University of Wisconsin next season.

More from Bruins News

The Boston Bruins have had a recent tendency to surprise their fans at the Draft, and this year is no exception. Last year, the Bruins chose to use all three first-round picks to snag Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk and Zachary Senyshyn. A lot of fans openly questioned the Senyshyn pick, as he wasn’t expected to go until late in the second-round. At the moment, Senyshyn looks to be the closest to NHL ready.

For any NHL team, picking late in the first round (or all the other rounds after) means they’re looking for a long-term player. They’re not looking for a Dougie Hamilton or Tyler Seguin. They’re looking for a Patrice Bergeron, or a Brad Marchand, or even a Chris Kelly. Someone who can be a reliable team player for an extended period of time.

The NBC commentary team were seeing Frederic as a third-line center down the road. They saw him as a dependable two-way forward if he was put in the right position.

Here’s what our friends over at SB Nation thought about him. We’re more or less in agreement here.

Relax everyone. We won’t be seeing Frederic until the 2018-19 season at least (unless he’s at Development Camp). He’s got time to grow into his role and could be a very useful asset for the Black and Gold down the road.

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