Boston Bruins: Six Players To Watch At Development Camp

Boston Bruins: Six Players To Watch At Development Camp Who Should Make an Impact

Bruins development camp is set to kick off on Tuesday July 12 and last until Friday July 15. The full development camp roster was announced yesterday. Some notable players including Zachary Senyshyn and Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson will not be in attendance. While Zane McIntyre will attend his seventh Bruins development camp. Senyshyn has mono and Forsbacka-Karlsson has school, family and travel commitments to attend to. The list of 26 players attending includes:

Forwards: Jack Becker, Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, Ryan Donato, Ryan Fitzgerald, Trent Frederic, Jesse Gabrielle, Danton Heinen, Cameron Hughes, Joona Koppanen, Sean Kuraly, Mark Naclerio, Oskar Steen

Defensemen: Brandon Carlo, Cameron Clarke, Matt Grzelcyk, Emil Johansson, Jeremy Lauzon, Ryan Lindgren, Charlie McAvoy, Wiley Sherman, Jakob Zboril

Goaltenders: Stephen Dhillon*, Zane McIntyre, Malcolm Subban, Daniel Vladar

*- Attending on an invite basis

Take a closer look at six of the more notable Bruins prospects attending the camp, players that have been here before.

Danton Heinen, Center, University of Denver (NCAA): 41 GP: 20G, 28A, 48 pts, +19

Pick #116, 4th round, 2014, Boston Bruins

Danton Heinen, 21, appears to be a 4th round steal for the B’s. In two seasons at the University of Denver, he has amassed 36 goals and 57 assists, good for 93 points in 81 games. What’s most impressive about his career as a Pioneer was his freshman year. Not many expected 16 goals and 45 points in 40 games out of a 4th round pick, especially as a freshman. His speed, smarts and ability to make things happen on the ice is a real difference maker and will definitely make him stand out amongst the crowd. I’m very excited to see how Heinen progresses and I look for him to be a legitimate contender to make the Bruins NHL roster at some point during the 2016-2017 season.

Jesse Gabrielle, Left Wing, Prince George Cougars (WHL): 72 GP: 40G, 35A, 75 pts, +4

Pick #105, 4th round, 2015, Boston Bruins

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Another player who looks to be a 4th round steal is Jesse Gabrielle. Gabrielle, 19, exploded this past year and made an incredible jump from his 2014-2015 season with the Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings. In 2014-2015, he scored 23 goals and 21 assists, good for 44 points in 66 games with the Pats and Wheat Kings combined. Get this, in just 6 more games this season, 72 to be exact; he tallied 17 more goals (40) and 14 more assists (35) and 31 points (75). That’s astonishing and a great sight for Bruins fans everywhere to see. Another notable stat about Gabrielle is his penalty minutes, which he garnered 104 of this past season. Along with his offensive prowess, he brings a physically intimidating aspect to his game with a small 5 foot 11, 205 pound frame.

Anders Bjork, Left Wing/Center, University of Notre Dame (NCAA): 35 GP: 12G, 23A, 35 pts, +28

Pick #146, 5th round, 2014, Boston Bruins

The next Bruins pick in 2014 after Danton Heinen continues the trend of late round steals. Bjork, 19, kept a point per game pace in his second season as a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Bjork has some NHL blood in him, as his cousin is Tampa Bay Lightning winger, Erik Condra. He led the Fighting Irish in points and was tied for second with Mario Lucia in goals in just his sophomore year. Being an avid college hockey fan myself, I love the way Bjork plays and see plenty of late round upside. He will most likely be staying at the University of Notre Dame for his junior season, so if you see the Fighting Irish on TV or they are playing in your area, make sure to take a look at Bjork.

Matt Grzelcyk, Defense, Boston University (NCAA): 27 GP: 10G, 13A, 23 pts, +17

Pick #85, 3rd round, 2012, Boston Bruins

Matt Grzelcyk, 22, is probably my favorite Bruins prospect if I had to choose one and don’t be shocked if he cracks the Bruins roster at some point this season. Charlie McAvoy’s defensive partner for much of the 2015-2016 season, captain at BU. He plays a lot like Torey Krug and has a similar frame, but with a little more grit and that added leadership experience from BU. They both played college hockey as well, Krug played at Michigan State and was signed by the B’s as an undrafted free agent. Do the Bruins want essentially two Torey Krug‘s in their lineup is the question, I wouldn’t say no. We’ll see how Grzelcyk does during development camp as he is my dark horse to make the NHL roster this year.

Brandon Carlo, Defense, Tri-City Americans (WHL): 52 GP: 5G, 22A, 27 pts, +8

Pick #37, 2nd round, 2015, Boston Bruins

Assistant Captain of the Tri-City Americans, like Grzelcyk, Carlo, 19, possesses leadership qualities at a young age. What separates Carlo from the rest is his skill set at such massive a size. At 6 foot 5, 203 pounds, he towers over many of his opponents and displays a lot of likeable traits while doing so. His quick reaction time and patience allow him to keep up with smaller and faster players and use his big frame effectively. His frame and playing style have drawn comparisons to former #1 overall pick of the St. Louis Blues and current Colorado Avalanche blue liner, Erik Johnson. Carlo is another candidate to make the Bruins roster at some point this season, if not he will continue to develop in Providence.

Malcolm Subban, Goalie, Providence Bruins (AHL): 27 GP: 2.46 GAA, .911 SV%

Pick #24, 1st round, 2012, Boston Bruins

Malcolm Subban is in a contract year and will have to battle for time behind Tuukka or be ready if someone gets injured. The 2012 Bruins first rounder really needs to prove that he is worth their time if he wants to see some NHL time this season. I really hope the one game of NHL experience against one of the West’s top team didn’t hamper expectations for him; they put him in a very tough spot. Malcolm has to see some NHL time this year; the guy has first round potential for crying out loud. You don’t see many goalies go in the first round nowadays. Give the kid a shot. If the B’s don’t think he can do it for them at the NHL level, give him a couple of games as a trade showcase, it would be stupid to let a first rounder go to waste.

Next: Boston Bruins: Ray Bourque Sentenced to Probation

Development camp is sure going to be exciting this year as the season gets closer and closer. Some old, some new faces will look to make their mark in hopes of suiting up in Bruins black and gold someday.

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