Boston Bruins: American college system the preferred route for prospects

There is a clear trend with the Boston Bruins to rely upon the American collegiate system for their player development instead of the Canadian junior hockey route.

Traditionally, the Canadian major junior hockey programs were seen as key to getting a well-developed, NHL-ready player. These days, the NCAA has proven time and again to work perfectly fine as an alternative; something the Boston Bruins have capitalised upon.

All three North American picks from the Boston Bruins’ 2019 NHL Entry Draft are committed to colleges for the 2019-20 season. John Beecher, their first round (30th overall) pick will be headed to the University of Michigan. Quinn Olson, the only Canadian pick they made this year is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth whilst Jake Schmaltz will be at the University of North Dakota.

In fact, none of their draft picks this year will play in Canadian junior hockey, with the other two remaining in the home countries.

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Looking at how this development approach has worked out for the Boston Bruins over recent years, it’s certainly done it’s job well. Of their current defensive corps; Torey Krug, Matt Grzelyck, Connor Clifton, Steven Kampfer and Charlie McAvoy all spent time developing under the tutelage of NCAA programs.

Perhaps best of that bunch is Torey Krug, who headed to Michigan State Univeristy for the 2009-10 season and ended up captaining that team just a year later. Given he was never drafted by an NHL team, the time spent in the NCAA clearly did wonders as the Boston Bruins were happy to take a flyer on him, putting him to work with the Providence Bruins for a season before graduating him to the NHL.

Charlie McAvoy is obviously the other stand-out performer there; he will be cashing in this summer; he too spent two seasons with Boston University before being ready to step into a professional hockey environment.

Perhaps it’s the well-rounded approach of the college program that sees more of these players thrive for the Boston Bruins than Canadian major junior players. Not only are they expected on the ice and in the gym, they are also expected to put in classroom hours. Not only that, the NCAA means they’re playing against a range of ages that exceeds those you’d find in the Canadian system.

Looking past the defense, the collegiate connections are scattered throughout the line-up, whether we’re talking Charlie Coyle, David Backes, Sean Kuraly or Danton Heinen. Ryan Donato, who departed for the Minnesota Wild in the trade that saw Coyle end up with the Boston Bruins was another example.

Maybe it all stems back to the fact that Boston Bruins’ General Manager, Don Sweeney, himself is a Harvard graduate. That could possibly explain why the collegiate approach seems to be the preference in Boston.

Whatever the reasoning, it’s pleasing to see that in a matter of a couple of decades, the shift has been blatantly apparent. Whereas, Canadian major junior hockey used to be the only place to develop your players, now there are plenty of options with the chance of an education for your youngsters too.

Maybe what we’re now seeing is not only the most skilful era of hockey yet, but possibly the smartest bunch of players too!