2023 Bruins Development Camp: Breaking down Day 1

The 2023 Bruins Development Camp got underway yesterday at  Warrior Ice Arena as the team’s top prospects took the ice at the team’s practice facility. A total of 32 players were scheduled to be in attendance including 18 forwards, 10 defensemen and four goalies. Day 1 consisted of two one-hour-long sessions where players worked on their mechanics, edge work and fundamentals in front of a fan-filled crowd.

Standouts

• Mason Lohrei is looking more and more like the real deal. The 6’4″ defenseman from Ohio State has a noticeably massive frame and still is able to move smoothly and effectively with the puck. Former Bruin Adam McQuaid spent a good amount of time with Lohrei working on his positioning and board play. Lohrei seems poised for a big year in Providence and even has a chance to push for time with the big club.
• Brett Harrison can flat-out rip the puck. Harrison had 34 goals in the OHL and he has a scoring touch that can translate to the NHL. His release is quick in transition allowing him to catch goalies out of position and create offense. What was more impressive was his touch in tight. In drills where skaters had only several feet to make things happen in front of the net, Harrison was able to elevate pucks and pick spots despite being short on time and space.
• I really really really like Oskar Jellvik. The Swedish winger had a bit of a down year in his first full season at Boston College but he has the tools to be a complete player. His edge work and agility truly pop when you notice him skating among the other players. His speed is electric and his ability to change direction and stop on a dime made him one of the better skaters at camp

General Notes

• Fabian Lysell was slated to appear with Group 2 but didn’t skate due to a concussion he suffered in the AHL playoffs.

• Matthew Poitras is so fun to watch. I saw him handle 4-5 passes either in his skates or off target that he was able to corral without losing any speed.
• Frederic Brunet is a silky smooth skater with a quick and accurate shot. the way he was able to walk the blue line and transition from skating backward to forward was impressive.
• Owen Pedersen and Riley Duran were picking corners from in tight at a high clip, excited about the upside of those two
• I really have to hand it to Bruins third-round pick Chris Pelosi. Drafted last week and already at development camp, it must’ve been a whirlwind of a week for the New Jersey native. I will say he didn’t look out of place and had some bright moments yesterday.
• Andre Gasseau is another BC forward who stands tall (6’4″) and wide (205 lbs). He has a legit NHL frame and soft hands that helped him put up 29 points in 36 games as a freshman.
• I have to give some love to UMass Minuteman Dans Locmelis. The Latvian forward held his own skating against NHL talent at this year’s World Championship and you can see why. Very fundamentally sound, quick and shifty in tight spaces and has a high hockey IQ.