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Boston Bruins Prospects: Trevor Kuntar, Oskar Jellvik And Andre Gasseau Tear It Up For Boston College

Nick Marra|
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: The Boston College Eagles stand on the blue line before a game against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA hockey in the consolation game of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 13, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 4-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: The Boston College Eagles stand on the blue line before a game against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA hockey in the consolation game of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 13, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 4-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

The Boston Bruins were quite active during the NHL’s trade deadline, as they made additions to their roster without peeling away any prospects. Despite the B’s prospect pool ranking as one of the lowest around the league, several young players helped make an impact with one local team.

The Boston College Eagles men’s hockey team was eliminated from the Hockey East Tournament after falling 1-0 to Merrimack in the quarterfinal. The Eagles’ disappointing end to the season did not come without some positive developments regarding three players the Bruins have drafted.

In the 2020 NHL Entry Draft the Bruins selected forward Trevor Kuntar with the 27th overall pick in the third round. The 21-year-old had an impressive junior year with BC and took a massive leap forward in his development.

LOWELL, MA – FEBRUARY 3: Trevor Kuntar #15 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the UMass Lowell River Hawks during a NCAA men’s hockey game at the Tsongas Center on February 3, 2023 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The River Hawks won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
LOWELL, MA – FEBRUARY 3: Trevor Kuntar #15 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the UMass Lowell River Hawks during a NCAA men’s hockey game at the Tsongas Center on February 3, 2023 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The River Hawks won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

Kuntar finished the 2022-23 season tied for second on the team with 13 goals and tied for third in points with 29. The Buffalo native was a consistent producer throughout the season recording at least a point in 23 of the 34 games he played.

Kuntar doubled his point total from his freshman to sophomore year, and improved upon that with the best season of his short career. A player that is not afraid to get into the dirty areas, drive the net and put home loose pucks is something the Bruins have always valued.

Kuntar wore the “A” for the Eagles this past season and played much of the final portion of the season as third-line center. Not only is Kuntar capable of putting up points, but he also finely tuned his role as a potential shutdown player going up against the other team’s top players.

The Boston Bruins continued to go back to the BC hockey well in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft after selecting forwards Oskar Jellvik with the 21st pick of the fifth round and Andre Gasseau with the 21st pick of the seventh round.

Jellvik and Gasseau were both freshman at Boston College this past season. Jellvik, a native of Sweden, might not have put up the most points in his first season with the Eagles but he did play an important role with the team.

CHESTNUT HILL, MA – DECEMBER 2: Oskar Jellvik #21 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the Providence College Friars during NCAA hockey at Kelley Rink on December 2, 2022 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The game ended in a 1-1 tie with the Friars winning in a shootout. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – DECEMBER 2: Oskar Jellvik #21 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the Providence College Friars during NCAA hockey at Kelley Rink on December 2, 2022 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The game ended in a 1-1 tie with the Friars winning in a shootout. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

After racking up 26 goals and 29 assists for 56 points in the J20 circuit, Jellvik managed just four goals and 13 assists playing Division I college hockey. Perhaps the skill Jellvik displayed most was his playmaking ability. The 20-year-old’s vision helped him find teammates all over the ice.

Andre Gasseau’s first season in Chestnut Hill came with much more statistical success than Jellvik. The first thing that stands out about Gasseau is his size. Currently listed at six-foot-four and 210 pounds, the 19-year-old had 10 goals and 17 assists in his first year with the Eagles.

LOWELL, MA – FEBRUARY 3: Andre Gasseau #24 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the UMass Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men’s hockey at the Tsongas Center on February 3, 2023 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The game ended in a 2-2 tie with the River Hawks winning the extra point in a shootout. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
LOWELL, MA – FEBRUARY 3: Andre Gasseau #24 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the UMass Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men’s hockey at the Tsongas Center on February 3, 2023 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The game ended in a 2-2 tie with the River Hawks winning the extra point in a shootout. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

As a freshman, Gasseau was third on the team in goals, assists and points. The California native did well to display his skill, speed and power throughout the season. Among the three Bruins prospects currently at Boston College, Gasseau would appear to have the most upside to this point.

As the Boston Bruins continue to ravage the NHL in 2022-23, many of their prospects are also showing major growth. Perhaps the future does not look as dim as it once did for Boston hockey fans. Only time will tell if these late round picks become a true diamond in the rough.

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