It would've been easy to look at the Boston Bruins' Rookie Camp roster and overlook the name Thomas Zocco. The 20-year-old undrafted camp invite isn't a name that many fans knew heading into camp, but once the first 60 minutes against the Buffalo Sabres ended, fans were well aware of who the future London Knight was.
Zocco had a certain presence that the rest of the camp invites and even some of the drafted Bruins prospects had in this game. It is clear that he has some offensive skill in his game, and while his all-around skill left him off many teams' draft boards, there could be a spot for him to turn pro one day if he figures out some of the flaws. The good news is that he still has a long road before he gets there.
After spending one season in the BCHL and one season in the USHL, Zocco is preparing to play his 20-year-old junior season in the OHL with the London Knights instead of heading to college. After one season with the Knights, Zocco will then attend Quinnipiac, where current Bruins prospects like Chris Pelosi and Elliott Groenewold are now playing.
The development path for Zocco is also encouraging, as he'll play a year in one of the best Canadian Hockey League organizations in London before playing for one of the best college coaches in Rand Pecknold. If the scoring forward is looking to develop his game in order to one day play in the NHL, there aren't many better paths to take.
Thomas Zocco turns heads for Bruins vs. Sabres
Zocco had some of the Bruins' reporters in attendance raving about his play, and that was even before he sniped a goal with two seconds remaining in the second period. One important thing to note is that Zocco was playing with Dans Locmelis, who was the best player on the ice, and his linemates were benefiting greatly from his presence. However, there were some things to like in Zocco's game.
Great shot by Thomas Zocco to beat the buzzer.
— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) September 13, 2026
5-2 #NHLBruins going into the second intermission pic.twitter.com/Rko88SS0RA
Zocco may never go farther than Quinnipiac, but if he does turn into a late-blooming diamond in the rough, the Bruins are now the team with their foot in the door to one day sign him. With him going to a program that Boston is familiar with, we can potentially look at him as a college free-agent signing a few years down the road if he ends up in that position.
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