The Boston Bruins prospects are getting their first taste of competitive NHL-level action this weekend.
The Boston Bruins have sent 25 of their prospects up to Buffalo, New York this weekend. The Black and Gold are looking to see how well their prospects have advanced in the offseason. Most of the prospects will get invited to the Boston training camp after this weekend. A few of them might have what it takes to make the squad this year.
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Here is the list of all the Boston Bruins prospects participating in this weekend’s event.
FORWARDS: Anton Blidh, Colby Cave, Peter Cehlarik, Domenic Commisso, Jake DeBrusk, Jesse Gabrielle, Colton Hargrove, Danton Heinen, Justin Hickman, Sean Kuraly, Matt Mistele, Mark Naclerio, Drake Rymsha, Simon Stransky, A.J. White
DEFENSEMEN: Linus Arnesson, Josh Atkinson, Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Jeremy Lauzon, Rob O’Gara, Bailey Webster, Jakub Zboril
GOALTENDERS: Zane McIntyre, Dan Vladar
On Thursday, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney informed the press that prospects will have every opportunity to advance as far as their talent would take them. This certainly has motivated young players like Matt Grzelcyk to swing for the fences this weekend.
“It’s definitely eye-catching when any GM says that,” said Grzelcyk, a 2012 draft pick. “I think it gives all of us some motivation going into the week. While we’re trying to showcase our skills and our best abilities, you’re also trying to win for the guy next to you.
“As long as we play simple and compete out there, I think our skills will come out.”
Providence Bruins head coach Kevin Dean will be the coach of the prospects this weekend. While he knows the learning curve will be steep for some of the prospects it will be a necessary tool for their development moving forward.
“Summer hockey, no matter if you think it’s intense or not, it’s not going to be the same on Sunday night when the puck drops,” offered Dean according to the Boston Bruins website. Dean will likely be seeing some of these prospects in Providence this year, so it certainly makes sense for him to be in charge for this event.
“These guys are going to have their faces pushed into the glass, it’s going to be faster and a lot more physical. You can’t replicate that in the summer. That’s what they’re going to be seeing in the Boston camp, so they might as well get ready for it.”
The Boston Bruins prospects will get in one last practice today. Then the young Bruins will take on the prospect squad from the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, and then the Buffalo Sabres squad on Monday.