Boston Bruins Prospect: Closer Look at Jeremy Lauzon
With the 52nd overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins selected defenseman Jeremy Lauzon from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The 6-foot-2, 193-pound blueliner is labeled as a gritty defensemen. Lauzon is a prototypical defensemen to be coached under Claude Julien, and plays the position synonymously under the mantra of the Big Bad Bruins.
In 2014-15, Lauzon paced Huskies blueliners with 15 goals – two fewer than top defensive goal-scores in the QMJHL last season. The 18-year-old played in 60 games last season, totaling 36 points (15-21 – 36).The hardnosed defenseman served 88 PIM.
Lauzon plays on the edge. He looks for the big hits while also reverting his attention to the other end of the ice. He will never shy away from being physical, and uses his body, and plentiful size, to gain an advantage on offense. Lauzon takes the risks needed to produce scoring opportunities. He plants his skates in a position to make a play, and whether that’s taking a hit or bestowing one, the former Husky works to help score goals with the offense.
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Similarly to the other 10 prospects drafted this year, Lauzon has time to mature. The defenseman, assuredly, is a few years away from being NHL ready, while Bruins assistant general manager Scott Bradley still anticipates Lauzon’s arrival with the varsity squad.
“I think he’s a real character player,” said Bradley. “He’s a transitional defenseman that has the capability of producing offensively, and our scouts really, really liked him”.
Lauzon was a result of the Dougie Hamilton exchange. Ottawa was initially the rightful holder of the 52nd pick, until packaging it in the Hamilton trade with Boston.Lauzon now looks to make the most of his fortuity being drafted in that slot with a team that will eventually be in demand for new defenders. Both veteran d-men Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg near the end of their respected careers.
There will come a time when defensemen such as Lauzon will be needed.
He’ll be needed to fill the voids left by veterans such as Chara and Seidenberg. Talented prospects are typically not at a premium. The Bruins consider Lauzon to be an exception, and anticipate him having an impact on this team in the near future.
Lauzon models his game after New York Rangers’ defenseman Ryan McDonagh. Both give and receive the hits to spark offense or shutdown an opposing rush. They can score from the blueline and take the role as playmaker.
“I’m excited,” said Lauzon to CSNNE.com. “I like to play physical. I love to do some cross-check in front of the net, or something like that. I’m an energy kind of defenseman. With the Bruins I think it will fit pretty well with my style of hockey. I love Ryan McDonagh’s game. He’s got a good two-way game going, and I want to be like him in the NHL.
“I spoke with [the Bruins] at the combine, but I didn’t know they were interested in drafting me. Being selected by the [Bruins] is a real privilege”.
Next: Closer Look at Prospect Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson