Mariner Minute: Meet The Maine Mariners (10/18/23)

Its another hockey season upon us and its time to take a look at the Boston Bruins official Double A team, the Maine Mariners of the East Coast Hockey League. Unlike the Providence Bruins, a lot of the Mariners aren't contracted by the Bruins themselves. Guys come and go all the time and have to go through waivers if the Bruins want to sign a guy. If someone is on a scoring rampage that's unsigned, someone like the Winnipeg Jets could sign him before the Bruins do. Very rarely does someone who ends up in the ECHL go on to stardom in the NHL because most elite prospects can either play in the NHL right away or at least start in the American Hockey League. Still, there is the rarity that can go all the way. Anyway, let's get to the team.

                                                     Cross Insurance Arena

First up is 23 year old left winger Wyllum Deveaux. Local fans know Deveaux after spending the last 4 years at Harvard University. After college was over he played three games for the Pittsburgh Penguins Double A Wheeling Nailers to end the season. This year he's on the Maine Mariners to start the year and it'll be interesting to see where he ends up. He has a grand total of 9 goals total between juniors, college and the ECHL going back to 2017 so he didn't exactly light the world on fire. Its a new year, let's see how he goes.

                                                   From Harvard to Maine

Up next is 21 year old left winger Owen Pederson. Pederson has been playing Juniors since 2019 although he had a breakout season last year for the Winnipeg Ice scoring 32 goals with 42 assists. If he can continue that momentum for the Mariners, he might see American Hockey League action either this year or next.

                                                 32 goals last year for the Ice

Up next is 22 year old right winger Brooklyn Kalmikov. Unlike the first two guys on the list, Kalmikov has AHL experience. He also played for the Wheeling Nailers last year but played 3 games for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Penguins. He's at least shown he could crack an AHL roster so let's see if he can do it again. A breakout season for the Mainers would be helpful in getting back to Scranton or somewhere else.

                                                  May see the AHL again soon

Up next is 27 year old left winger Austin Albrecht. Austin is a veteran of the minors, bouncing around various leagues the last few years. He had 16 points in 25 games for the Mariners last year so he's back for another go-around. Sad part is he hasn't made the AHL yet, maybe this year will be the year. Good luck Austin.

                                                  Another year in Maine

Up next is 26 year old right winger Reid Stefanson. Local fans remember him for spending 4 years at Umass Lowell from 2019-2022. He's spent the last two seasons with Maine although he had a breakout campaign last year with 22 goals and 25 assists. Hopefully another season like that will get him a look by the AHL. If nothing else, at least he's playing at a high level when others never made it this far.

                                                River Hawks represent

Up next is 28 year old left winger Timothy Doherty. Local fans know him as he spent his junior years playing for the Boston Jr Bruins before playing 3 years with Maine University. He's spent the last 3 years in the ECHL and had a breakout year for Maine last year, scoring 21 goals with FIFTY TWO assists. A playmaker like that deserves to be in the AHL so hopefully this is the year he makes it. Good luck Doherty.

                                                From the Black Bears to the Mariners

Next up is another local guy, 26 year old center Cameron Askew. Askew played Juniors in Quebec up until 2018 then spent the last 5 seasons in the ECHL, the last two with the Mariners. Last year he had 32 points in 52 games and is definitely a regular on this team. Will he ever make the AHL? Who knows, but this could be the year. Keep fighting Cam.

                                                        Jump for joy

Up next is 26 year old center Jimmy Lambert. Lambert spent four years playing for Michigan University before playing for the Worcester Railers of the ECHL and one game for the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL last season. Just like Kalmikov, Lambert has shown he can crack the AHL. Maybe this year he'll do well enough in Maine to be a mainstay.

                                                       Has tasted the AHL

Up next is 29 year old left wing Alex Kile. Kile spent four years at Michigan University then spent from 2017 to the present shuffling between the AHL and the ECHL. The closest he came to the NHL was a 33 game stint for the Montreal Canadiens top farm team, the AHL Laval Rocket in 2019 where he scored 5 goals. Still, if he can light up Maine this year maybe Providence or someone else will give him a look. Of all the guys in the group, he came the closest to the NHL, maybe someday he'll actually make it.

                                                Came THIS close to the NHL

Up next is one of the youngsters of the group, 20 year old center Adam Mechura. Mechura lit up the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans last year for 52 points in 58 games. If he has a season like that for Maine this year, a LOT of AHL scouts are going to bid for his services. This could be a diamond in the rough for Maine after nabbing him in the 2022 Import Draft (don't ask).

                                                     Could be sneaky good this year

Up next is 28 year old minor league veteran center Gabe Guertler. He spent 2012 to 2019 playing Juniors or University before playing 30 games of Single A hockey in 2021 for the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League (think the south's version of the Danbury Hat Tricks). He's spent the last two years with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL and here he is in Maine. It'll be interesting if he can crack the AHL because not very many people have gone from Single A all the way to Triple A or beyond.

                                                 From Macon to Maine

Up next is one of their only players at least drafted in the NHL, 22 year old left winger Ethan Keppen. Ethan was a 4th round pick by the Vancouver Canucks back in 2019 after lighting up the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League for 59 points in 68 games. Last year he played 36 games for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL scoring 4 goals. The Florida Panthers were so loaded that they didn't need him so here he is in Maine this year. Hopefully he can have a good season to get back to the AHL.

                                                 At least he can say he was drafted

Up next is another local, 27 year old right winger Chase Zieky. He spent two years at Providence College before transferring to R.P.I. He's spent the last two years bouncing around the ECHL while putting up 14 points in 23 games for the Mariners to end last season. Is the AHL in sight? Maybe. He'd have to have a heck of a season to get noticed, good luck to Chase.

                                                  Love the name 'Greenville Swamp Rabbits'

Up next is 28 year old local center Tyler Drevitch. He played for the Boston Bandits as a teenager before spending 4 years at Merrimack College. He spent the last 3 years in the ECHL having a breakout campaign last year with 33 points in 72 games for the Wheeling Nailers. Let's see what happens this year with the Mariners.

                                                 Merrimack to Maine

Up next is 25 year old left winger Troy MacTavish. Troy played college hockey at University of Wisconsin Superior before playing Single A hockey the last two seasons for the Birmingham Bulls of the SPHL. His breakout campaign last year of 39 points in 53 games earned him a trip to Maine this season. Let's see how he does in Double A hockey in 2023-24.

                                                     Captain of the Capitals

Up next is 25 year old right winger Brendan Harrogate. Harrogate spent 2014 to 2022 in Juniors or University before putting up 42 points in 54 games for the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL last season. Just like MacTavish, he's making a jump from Single A to Double A. Hopefully he finds success at this level as well.

                                                            42 points in 52 games last year

Up next is 26 year old left winger Branden Makara. He spent 2 years playing for Colorado College before taking the next three years off. He returned to play a year for the University of Ottawa in 2022 before spending last year in Single A with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. He ended the year with the Orlando Solar Bears and begins this season with Maine. Talk about never giving up after 3 years away.

                                                        Look at that jersey

Rounding out the forwards is 20 year old left winger Cole Dubinsky. Just like Mechura, Dubinsky comes straight from Juniors, spending last year with the Regina Pats and Prince George Cougars. 32 points in 40 games combined earned Cole a trip to Maine. Let's see if he and/or Mechura can make it to the AHL this season. 

                                                        Juniors to Maine

Up next is one of the only men on the roster to actually play for Providence, 26 year old defenseman Andrew Peski. Peski spent 4 years at North Dakota University before shuffling between ECHL and the AHL the last three seasons, including 15 games with the Providence Bruins and 5 games for the Springfield Firebirds. He's already tasted the AHL once before and looks to do it again. Hopefully this is the season he breaks out and becomes a mainstay.

                                                Trying to make it back to the AHL

Up next is 26 year old defenseman Gabriel Chicoine. Gabriel played Juniors or College hockey from 2015-2022 before landing with the Mariners at the end of the 2022 season. Last season he put up 34 points in 63 games with the Mariners and looks to have a good season with Maine this year as well. The AHL may be out of reach but you never know, at least he'll be good on the Mariners.

                                                        Back with the Mariners

Up next is 25 year old defenseman Alex Sheehy. He spent two years in American Juniors before playing for 3 years with New England University. He's coming to Maine straight out of college so this will be a big jump for Sheehy. Hope he's ready for Double A competition.

                                                        Not in college anymore

Up next is well traveled 26 year old defenseman Mackenzie Dwyer. Dwyer played Juniors from 2014-2019 before taking 2020 off. The last 3 seasons he's shuffled between the SPHL and ECHL putting up just 7 points in 37 games last year. The stat you're looking for with him are penalty minutes since he's the unofficial team cement head. That's the kind of guy ANYONE in the AHL could want, someone who goons it up when needed.

                                                     Your team enforcer

Up next is another youngster, 21 year old defenseman Ethan Ritchie. He's spent the last 5 years in Juniors including 44 points in 65 games for the Sarnia Sting last year. Its a big jump from Juniors to the ECHL so I hope Ritchie is ready. He could be AHL bound someday, hope he has a good season for the Mariners.

                                                  Welcome to Maine

Up next is 25 year old defenseman Owen Norton. Norton played FIVE years for Mercyhurst College before getting into 4 games with the Mariners at the end of last season. Let's see what Owen can do on the defensive side of the puck in a full season with the Mariners. He was known for throwing his weight around with the Surrey Eagles.

                                                        Bring the pain, Norton

Up next is the elder statesman of the team, 30 year old local Connor Doherty. He spent 2012-14 playing for the Boston Jr Bruins before playing three years for Sacred Heart University. He's spent the last six years in the ECHL including the last two for the Maine Mariners. If nothing else, he's an experienced veteran that can teach the kids about road travel for those aren't familiar with it. A guy like this may not make the AHL but is still valuable for life lessons.

                                                      Well traveled veteran

Up next is 23 year old defenseman Seth Bafaro. After playing 7 years of Juniors and one year of Canadian college hockey, he somehow ended up in Scotland playing for the Fife Flyers last season. Scotland isn't known as a hockey hotbed in Europe compared to the Nordic countries so it'll be interesting to see how he handles Double A hockey. At least he'd have some stories to tell after playing overseas.

                                                  "I'm givin it all I got captain!"

Up last for the defensemen is the only Boston Bruins draft pick on the team, 20 year old Ryan Mast who was drafted in the 6th round back in 2021. He played 2020, 2022 and last year for the Sarnia Sing and now makes the jump to the Maine Mariners. It'll be interesting to see if he can play well here and earn a promotion to Providence as he's the only contracted player on the team. Everyone else can be traded or get signed by anyone, Mast is strictly Bruins property for now. The sky is the limit for the 20 year old.

                                                         How long will Mast be in Maine?

Up first for the goalies is 26 year old local Brad Arvanitis. He played 2 years at Umass-Amhurst before playing 2 years for Babson College. Since then he's played 9 games in the ECHL and 20 in the SPHL putting up average numbers. If nothing else, at least he played professionally after coming out of Babson.

                                               Good luck Arvanitis

Up next is 25 year old goalie Cole Ceci. Quite frankly Ceci has put up below average numbers in Juniors from 2015-19 before playing the last three years for York University putting up the same numbers. Going 6-8-1 with a GAA of 3.35 for York last year doesn't sound good for future success with Maine. Still, he may turn it around after all, you never know. Maybe the coaches at Maine will show him something he hasn't seen before. 

                                           Looking to turn it around in 2023-24

Last but not least is 29 year old local Shane Starrett. He's a well traveled veteran who's played in Juniors, the ECHL and the AHL. He came within an eyelash of the NHL when he went 27-12-2 for the Bakersfield Condors, the top farm team of the Edmonton Oilers. Its amazing he didn't even at least get a chance over Anthony Solarz and Cam Talbot that year but oh well. He spent 2022 in Scotland and last year with the Kansas City Mavericks of the ECHL. You never know how things will turn out, maybe an injury or a call-up will have Starrett back in the AHL sooner rather than later. For someone who came THIS close to the NHL, everyone will be rooting for Starrett this season.

                                                         JUST missed the NHL

This year's coach is 31 year old ex-Mariner forward Terrance Wallin. Wallin retired at the end of the 2020 season after putting up 43 points in 56 games. He was an assistant coach in 2022 for the Mariners and was the head coach and general manager last year, taking the squad to the ECHL playoffs. Now with another year under his belt, we'll see how he responds to a new team and new youngsters that he hasn't played with.

                                                    Wallin in his playing days

Well there you have it, the 2023-24 Maine Mariners roster....before the season starts anyway. We got two guys who came THIS close to the NHL, one guy drafted by the Canucks and one guy drafted by the Bruins. Starrett and Kile are looking for a chance to get back to the AHL while guys like Mechura, Dubinsky and Ritchie could be future AHL players. Mast may actually get to Providence before the year is over due to injuries or good play. Like I said in the intro, guys at this level rarely make it to the NHL, especially the well traveled veterans. There's always a chance and they play for the love of the game. Maine actually made the playoffs last year so it'll be fun if they can do it again. Definitely check out these guys at Cross Insurance Arena some point this year, you won't regret it.

JVR Guides Bruins Past Predators (10/14/23)

Make it two in a row for the Boston Bruins to start the 2023-24 season as they defeated the Nashville Predators before embarking on their west coast trip. This was a hard fought contest and the Predators got on the board first when the Bruins were stoned on a breakaway and Kiefer Sherwood set up Colton Sissons who scored to put Nashville on top. The Bruins killed off a 5 on 3 powerplay and James van Riemsdyk scored on their own power play to tie the game. In the second period, David Pastrnak scored on a penalty shot to give the Bruins the lead with 5:14 remaining but the Bruins were called on a delayed penalty. That gave the Predators the 6 on 5 advantage and Sissons tipped home a Josi slapshot to tie the game going into intermission, 2-2. The Bruins didn't wait long to jump back in front in the third when van Riemsdyk tipped a shot home 2:52 into the period. The Bruins defense held the rest of the way and the Bruins had won their second straight game 3-2 at TD Garden.

                                                    Big win

The Predators struck first when Predators goalie Juuse Saros stoned a Kevin Shattenkirk shot on a great pass by Jakub Lauko. The puck went right to Kiefer Sherwood who found Colton Sissons for the one time goal to put Nashville up 1-0 just 3:29 into the first. Less than a minute later Brad Marchand was called for hooking Juuso Parssinen to put the Bruins on the penalty kill. Just as the Bruins had it killed off, Charlie McAvoy got called for holding Gustav Nyquist's stick to put Nashville on a 15 second 5 on 3. This was the most important sequence of the game as the Bruins killed off the penalties and Tommy Novak was sent to the box 7:38 into the period. Nashville killed it off and Derek Forbort hooked Parssinen to put the Bruins back on the penalty kill 10:18 into the period. The Bruins killed it off and Kiefer Sherwood got called for roughing Charlie McAvoy. On the ensuing power play, Marchand found James van Riemsdyk behind the net who simply shot it off Dante Fabbro and into the net to tie the game with 5:12 left in the period. Saros robbed Matthew Poitras on a feed from Morgan Geekie. The Bruins went into the break tied 1-1.

                                                               Happy fans

The parade to the penalty box continued in the second period for the Bruins as Lauko took a double minor for high sticking Roman Josi just 3:19 into the period. The Bruins killed off all four minutes then Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman robbed Filip Fosberg cold 7:40 into the period. Pastrnak got the buck on a wide open breakaway but Saros saved the shot. Hampus Lindholm was called for interference on Ryan O'Reilly 10:28 into the period and Swayman kicked out a shot by Josi. The Bruins killed that off but then the Bruins went to the box AGAIN as Marchand cross-checked Nyquist 12:23 into the period. Pastrnak then went on a breakaway but was awarded a penalty shot because Alexandre Carrier held him to prevent a shot. Pastrnak buried the penalty shot to put the Bruins up 2-1 with 5:17 left in the second period. The Bruins were called for a delayed penalty and this allowed Sissons to slam home a Josi slapshot to tie the game with 3:06 remaining in the period. Nothing happened after that and the game was tied 2-2 going into the third.

                                                    Pastrnak scores on the penalty shot

This time it was the Predators that took the first penalty of the third period as old friend Jeremy Lauzon roughed Matthew Poitras 2:10 into it. 42 seconds later van Riemsdyk tipped a McAvoy slapshot to put the Bruins up 3-2. The Bruins defense then stifled the Predators as they started to get frustrated. Yakov Trenin interfered with Brad Marchand but the Bruins failed to score on the powerplay. With 5:41 left in the game, Sissons got called for interfering with Zacha. The Bruins once again failed to score but both instances kept Nashville from attacking even strength. Swayman and the defense survived and empty net flurry at the end of the game to take home the victory. The Bruins had won the game 3-2.

                                                                     Goalie hug

Milestones:

Trent Frederic played in his 200th career game.

James van Riemsdyk earned the Smokey Harris Award for first career Bruins goal

Reaction:

That was another big win by the Bruins and an impressive display of defense in the third period. That's back to back goose eggs in the third period for the Bruins who I mentioned on Opening Night still has a nasty defense that carried over from last year. James van Riemsdyk has stepped nicely into the team's chemistry and Pastrnak once again showed he's a future hall of famer the way his career is going. The best part are the youngsters Beecher and Poitras are only going to get better with more experience. The fact the Bruins stayed out of the box in the third period as well as damn near went flawless on the penalty kill was instrumental in the victory. The Chicago Blackhawks and the Predators aren't exactly Stanley Cup contenders but victories are victories no matter who they're against. The mood is about to shift as the Bruins now embark on their early season west coast trip to California. The Bruins don't play again until Thursday when they go to San Jose to play the Sharks. The game begins at 10:30 PM Eastern time at SAP Arena.

Baby B's Bulletin: Meet the Providence Bruins (10/13/23)

With the Boston Bruins off until tomorrow night, its time to look at their top farm team the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. The Baby B's played their first game tonight and came up short in a shootout with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers top farm team. Jayson Megna scored in the first period for Providence to give them the lead going into the second period but Brennan Othmann scored for Hartford to tie the game in the second. Oskar Steen scored for the Bruins in the third to put them back on top but Alex Regula got called for cross-checking with 3:07 remaining. Naturally Othmann scored again on the powerplay with 2:41 left to send the game into Overtime. OT solved nothing so we went to the shootout. Megna failed to score first but team captain Jonny Brodzinski scored on Bruins goalie Brandon Bussi. Jesper Bogvist failed to score in round two but Bussi stopped former Boston Bruin Riley Nash to keep the B's in it. Unfortunately Reilly Walsh failed to score and the Wolfpack had won it 3-2.

                                                         Bruins fall short

Now that the recap is out of the way, let's meet this year's team. Up first is 22 year old forward Trevor Kuntar. Kuntar was playing for the Youngston Phantoms for three years before being drafted by the Bruins in the third round of the 2020 draft. He spent the next three years with Boston College and he's now with Providence. He put up 29 points in 34 games with BC his senior year so its time to see if he can take it to the next level.

                                                       From BC to Providence

Up next is 24 year old defenseman Reilly Walsh. Born in Framingham, he played two years in the United States Hockey League before playing three years with Harvard University. Walsh was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils and spent 2021 with their AHL affiliate Binghamton. Binghampton relocated to become the Utica Comets in 2022 and Walsh actually got called up to play a game with the New Jersey Devils in the NHL that season. He was traded to the Bruins in exchange for Shane Bowers over the summer and now he's one of their top defenseman. He already had one cup of coffee in the NHL so he's itching for another. Time will tell if injuries or stellar play leads to a callup.

                                                  At least Walsh has NHL experience

Up next is 33 year old career journeyman Jayson Megna. He's been all over the NHL and AHL including getting his name engraved on the Stanley Cup for playing 20 games with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. This is the kind of veteran you want to show the ropes to the younger kids. He's a third or fourth line player in the NHL but can still contribute to an AHL team. He signed with the Bruins as a free agent after spending time with Utica and the Anaheim Ducks last year. Never know when injuries will be a factor.

                                                        2022 Stanley Cup Champion

Up next is 25 year old forward Joseph Abate who was signed as an undrafted free agent after he played 3 years at Nebraska-Omaha University. He spent 5 years in juniors between 2015 and 2019 and scored just 3 goals in 35 games last year. Why is that? He's the enforcer of the Providence Bruins getting in plenty of fights. The Bruins need grit like this so he's definitely valuable in that role.

                                                      Fight Abate, Fight!

Up next is 31 year old minor league veteran left winger Vincent Arseneau has spent the last 10 years in the minors bouncing around from various AHL and ECHL teams. A guy like that is valuable to the younger guys not used to travel or road life. His best year was in 2018 where he scored 18 goals and served 14 assists for the Allen Americans of the ECHL. He played 35 games for the Abbotsford Canucks last year so here he is in Providence this year. He's got no chance to make the NHL but hey, he's living the dream. Go Vincent!

                                                       Well traveled journeyman

Up next is 20 year old defenseman Frederic Brunet who was drafted in the 5th round back in 2022. He spent the last 4 years playing Juniors in Quebec and got in one game with Providence last year. He's definitely a young prospect so the Bruins need to take time in developing him. Maybe he'll break out this year, you never know. Hope he does well.

                                                        Welcome to Providence, Brunet

Up next is 24 year old goalie Michael DiPietro who was drafted in the third round back in 2017 by the Vancouver Canucks. He was playing for the Abbotsford Canucks when Vancouver traded him to the Bruins for Jack Studnicka last October. He was primarily the Maine Mariners goalie last season although he did play in one game for Providence. With Keith Kinkaid now in Colorado it opened the door for DiPietro to step in to battle Bussi for the starting goalie job. May the best man win.

                                                            Love those uniforms

Up next is 24 year old goalie Kyle Keyser. He went undrafted and signed with Providence in 2019. Since then he's been bouncing back and forth between the AHL and ECHL not playing very well wherever he goes. Last year he did go 13-6 as a backup to Bussi so maybe he' turned the corner. Otherwise, they're better off drafting a new goalie next year.

                                                   "Alright everybody scram!"

Next up is 20 year old defenseman Ryan Mast who was drafted in the 6th round back in 2021. Mast has spent the last 4 years (missed 2021) playing for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. Last year he tallied 30 points in 51 games for the Sting so now he makes the jump to Providence. He's young so he'll have time to develop, it'll be interesting to see if he does.

                                                     Mast is ready to roll

Up next is 29 year old defenseman Daniel Renouf. He's another well traveled journeyman that's played in 24 games for the Detroit Red Wings, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins combined. He's also been a mainstay in the AHL since 2016. The younger defenseman can learn a thing or two from a veteran that's traveled down these roads for years. Will he make the Bruins? We'll see, he has played a game for them.

                        "HARRIET THERE'S A CAR IN THE LIVING ROOM!!!!" - Renouf

Up next is 25 year old forward Oskar Steen. Steen was once considered to be a top prospect when he was drafted in the 6th round back in 2016 as a Swedish teenager. He's bounced between Providence and Boston ever since never really putting up eye opening numbers in either league. He had less points in 2023 for the Baby B's than he did in 2022. He better turn it around quick or he's out of here with the next crop of rookies coming.

                                                          Times running out for Steen

Up next is Franklin, MA's own 24 year old defenseman Mike Callahan. Mike spent three years playing juniors before spending four years on the Providence College defensive corps. He was drafted in the 5th round back in 2018 by the Arizona Coyotes but the Bruins traded a 7th round pick in the upcoming draf
t to Arizona to get his rights this past summer. He's no stranger to Providence and the thinking coming home may help his career rather than waste it in the desert out west.

                                                      Welcome home Mike

Up next is 22 year old left winger Luke Toporowski from Bettendorf, Iowa. He played 3 years with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL before bouncing between Spokane and the Sioux Falls Stampede in 2021. 2022 was his best year as he put up 35 goals and 28 assists between Spokane and the Kamloops Blazers. Unfortunately with Providence last year he had only 29 points in 47 games, not bad but not eye opening either. Hopefully this year will be more like his 2022 season and has a breakout campaign.

                                                       Can he return to 2022 form?

Up next is 26 year old center Anthony Richard who was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 draft by the Nashville Predators. He bounced around the AHL for years getting in two games with the Predators but really broke out last year for his hometown Montreal Canadiens. He scored 30 goals and added 37 assists for the Laval Rocket before playing 13 games with the Habs, scoring 3 goals. For whatever reason Montreal didn't re-sign him and Providence scooped him up. It'll be interesting if last year was an aberration or if he really has turned the corner. Either way we'll get our answer soon.

                                              From the hated Habs to the Providence B's

Up next is 26 year old defenseman Parker Wotherspoon who was also drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 draft 12 slots after Richard by the New York Islanders. He was with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers from 2017-23 but did manage to get in 13 games with the Islanders last year tallying an assist. If he can keep the puck out of the net, he may be a good depth piece for this squad.

                                                 From New York to Providence

Up next is someone we all know for better or for worse, 26 year old defenseman Jakub Zboril. He was infamously taken by the Bruins 13th overall in 2015 ahead of all-stars such as Winnipeg's Kyle Connor, New York's Matt Barzal and Ottawa's Thomas Chabot. Unfortunately he's been a complete bust since they drafted him coming up on 9 years ago. He only has one goal in 76 career games in Boston and Bruins brass has so much faith in him that he's in Providence again to start the season. No disrespect to Jakub the person, but this is looking like one of the all time gaffes in NHL history with Connor on his way to superstardom along with Barzal & Chabot becoming centerpieces of their respective teams. He'll be in Boston this year for sure, but will he be good?

                                                       76 games, 1 goal

Up next is 25 year old right winger Justin Brazeau. Brazaeu absolutely lit up the Ontario Hockey League in 2019 for 61 goals and 52 assists which earned him a trip to the Newfoundland Growlers where he put up 27 goals and 28 assists during the Covid shortened 2020 season. The Toronto Marlies signed him but only put up 4 goals in 21 games in 2021. Signed by the Bruins, he put up 25 goals and 26 assists between Providence and the Maine Mariners of the East Coast Hockey League in 2022. Last year he had 45 points in 67 games in Providence. Its a shame that his numbers went down as the competition increased but that's the way it goes sometimes. It would be interesting to see what he does if he makes it to the NHL but time will tell.

                                                    Let's see if he can make it to Boston

Up next is soon to be 25 year old center Jesper Boqvist who was drafted in the second round back in 2017 by the New Jersey Devils. Unlike the rest of these guys, Boqvist was a regular in the NHL after coming over from Sweden. He played in 70 games with the Devils last year tallying 10 goals and 11 assists last season. He was signed by the Bruins as a depth piece after David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron retired. He might be called up, he might not. Either way its nice to have someone with 186 games of NHL experience ready to go if needed.

                                              Played almost every game for NJ last year

Up next is 25 year old goalie Brandon Bussi. The Bus has been a scrapper his entire career after going undrafted out of high school. He bounced around juniors and Western Michigan University before being signed by the Bruins at the end of the 2022 season. Last year he bounced back and forth between the Maine Mariners and Providence and started in goal all 4 games of the AHL playoffs last year. This year he looks to be the starting goalie for Providence and will be ready to go in case something happens to Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman. Tim Thomas started his career eerily similar so you never know.

                                                   The Bus is back for 2023-24

Up next is 24 year old local hero Marc McLaughlin. Grew up in North Billerica then spent four years at Boston College before being signed at the end of the 2022 season by the Bruins. He played in 11 games with Boston and scored two goals before getting a cup of coffee last year for two games. Just like Boqvist, he's a depth center and may be used sooner rather than later. He could be the next Charlie Coyle, who knows?

                                                     Mac is Back for 2023-24

Up next is 23 year old defenseman Ale Regula who was drafted in the 3rd round back in 2018 by the Detroit Red Wings. He lit up the OHL in 2020 for the London Knights then got traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brendan Perlini. He played in 22 games for the Blackhawks between 2021-23 before being traded to the Bruins with Ian Mitchell for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno in an obvious salary dump. The problem is Regula can't stay healthy as he's only played an average of 55 games between the NHL and AHL the last three years. Hopefully this year he can turn it around, after all....he was traded for Taylor Hall.

                                                  This trade better be worth it

Up next is 22 year old center John Farinacci who was drafted in the third round back in 2019 by the Arizona Coyotes. He stayed in school to play for Harvard University and Arizona decided to cut him at the end of the 2023 season. The Bruins scooped him right up, most notably for his performance at the World Junior Championships back in 2021. If he can turn into a good player, Arizona will once again have egg on their face for letting someone go too soon.

                                                One of the heroes of the 2021 Gold Medal team

Up next is 22 year old defenseman Mason Lohrei who was drafted in the second round by the Bruins back in 2020. Unlike a lot of these guys that are experienced veterans just looking to crack a roster again, this is a legitimate drafted and developed prospect. Lohrei lit up the Green Bay Gamblers in 2021 with 59 points a defenseman before playing two years at Ohio State University. He got in 5 games for Providence last year and looks to be a top d-man this season. He's shown offensive prowess between Green Bay and Ohio State so hopefully that translates to Providence and beyond. The Bruins could use the next Torey Krug and hopefully Lohrei is it.

                                                  Crucial year for Lohrei

Up next is 20 year old center Brett Harrison who was drafted in the third round back in 2021 by the Bruins. Harrison spent 2023 shuffling between the OHL and one game for Providence as a 20 year old so now we'll see what he's made of with a full year of Providence to come. He looked good in the OHL but that's to weed out those that can't play. He'll have plenty of time to develop but it would be nice if he becomes one of their leading scorers. We'll see what happens.

                                                    Time to step up Brett

Up next is 23 year old winger Curtis Hall who was drafted in the fourth round back in 2018. Hall spent last year between Providence and Maine and his stats aren't overly impressive. He might not sniff Boston but hey, you never know what the year will bring.

                                                   Needs to improve this year

Up next is 23 year old Russian center Georgii Merkulov who went undrafted. He spent two years with the Youngstown Phantoms before a year at Ohio State University in 2022 before being signed by the Bruins. Last year he totaled 55 points in 67 games for Providence so hopefully he can take the next step this year. He along with Fabian Lysell, Harrison and Lohrei are the future. Hopefully at least one of them will pan out, maybe it'll be Merkulov.

                                             From Russia With Goals

Last but certainly not least is the team's number one ranked prospect. 20 year old Swedish center Fabian Lysell was drafted in the first round back in 2021 and up until World Junior's last year he looked to be on the fast track to the NHL. He dominated the Western Hockey League in 2022 but last year hit a brick wall with a miserable performance at the WJC and didn't really recover in Providence after that. But, this year is a new year and he's still just 20 years old. He'll have every chance to crack a roster not just now but years from now. If Jakub Zboril can hang around for 9 years I'm sure Lysell will get a shot eventually.

                                                   Sky is the limit for Lysell

This year's team is coached by Ryan Mougenel who was known mostly for penalty minutes more than stats in his career in the minors. He did coach the Las Vegas Wranglers to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2012 and he's been the Providence coach going back to 2021. Looks like the team is in good hands as they look primed to go on a Calder Cup run this year.

                                                   Mougenel back behind the bench

Other players are going to come and go this season but all eyes are going to be on Lysell this year. He's the future and with the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, he'll have to step up eventually. Here's to another season in Providence...god help us.

Bruins Beat Bedard, Blackhawks on Opening Night (10/11/23)

After the unmitigated disaster last year that took a historic season and flushed it down the toilet with the most humiliating playoff loss since the 2010 reverse sweep, the Boston Bruins did manage to start the 2023-24 season on a high note by beating rookie sensation Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks in front of a sold out crowd at TD Garden. In the Bruins 100th centennial season, the Bruins defense played the heroes in this one. Bedard himself scored the first goal of the season but Trent Frederic tied the game a few minutes later. In the second period David Pastrnak scored his first of the season assisted by the returning Milan Lucic to put the Bruins on top. At that point the suffocating Bruins defense led by Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo and new Bruin Kevin Shattenkirk stymied the Blackhawks. Linus Ullmark stopped the next 20 straight shots after the Bedard goal and Pastrnak scored an empty netter with a minute left to ice the game. The Bruins may be weaker offensively than last year but the defense held the fort in this one as they beat the Blackhawks 3-1 at TD Garden.

                                                    The new captain celebrates with Pasta

The Bruins almost scored right away when Jakub Lauko damn near put one past Arvid Soderblom 15 seconds into the game. Two minutes later Wyatt Kaiser got called for cross checking to put the Bruins on their first power play of the season. Brad Marchand got a good shot off but Soderblom stoned it. The Blackhawks struck first when Bedard scored his first NHL goal on a wraparound 5:37 into the first period. To add insult to injury, two former Bruins Ryan Donato and Taylor Hall assisted on the goal. New Bruin James van Riemsdyk almost tucked one past Soderblom seven minutes into the first but couldn't get it through. The Bruins got on the board 11:22 into the first when Brandon Carlo fired a slapshot and the puck deflected off Trent Frederic's stick into the net to tie the game. The Blackhawks had a chance to jump ahead when Hampus Lindholm heaved the puck out of play for a delay of game penalty, but Ullmark stopped Taylor Hall on the power play. The Bruins headed into the break tied 1-1.

                                                              Tie game

The second period was all Bruins as Kaiser got called for tripping to put the B's on the powerplay 3 minutes into the period. Kevin Shattenkirk fired on Soderblom and new Bruin Morgan Geekie almost put it in. Bedard got called for tripping 7:48 into the period but the Bruins did nothing on the ensuing powerplay. Jake DeBrusk then got called for tripping 10 minutes into the period but the Bruins killed it off. Then 13:09 into the second, the returning Milan Lucic found a streaking David Pastnak who shot it past Soderblom to give the Bruins the lead. Ullmark stoned Connor Murphy cold with a few minutes remaining but the Bruins failed to score in the final seconds to head into intermission up 2-1.

                                                   Welcome back Looch

The third period started ominously when Lucic got his first Bruin penalty minutes in nine years by holding the stick 20 seconds into the period. The Bruins killed it off then things got chippy. Bruins rookie John Beecher boarded one of the Blackhawks and Jason Dickinson said PUT EM UP! After an even fight, Dickinson took a 2 minute instigator penalty and a 10 minute game misconduct for attacking the rookie who didn't even board him. The Blackhawks almost tied it when Lukas Reichel got a partial breakaway but Ullmark made the save four minutes into the period. 19 year old rookie Matthew Poitras assisted on the Frederic goal earlier and almost tucked one past Sodenblom with 12 minutes left in the game. Poitras then stripped Reichel off the puck and Frederic missed a great shot from the point. Lucic almost set up Pavel Zacha but Sodenblom made a great save 9 minutes into the period. Pastrnak got robbed shortly after but Ullmark had to make a great stop on Reichel to keep the game 2-1. The Bruins peppered the net with 2 minutes left but Sodenblom made some great stops. The Hawks pulled their goalie with a minute left but defenseman Charlie McAvoy found Brad Marchand who passed it to a wide open Pastrnak who buried the empty net goal to ice it. The Bruins had defeated the Blackhawks on Opening Night 3-1.

                                                     Bruins win

Reaction:

Good win by the Bruins but they have a lot of work to do this season to erase the stink of last year's choke. The retirements of Patrice Bergeron & David Krejci along with losing Garnet Hathaway, Taylor Hall and others did create some roster spots. The Bruins got much older and much younger at the same time by signing aging veterans Lucic, JVR and Shattenkirk but giving 22 year old Beecher and 19 year old Poitras a chance to play. We may see 20 year old Fabian Lysell make his NHL debut later this year as well. Now the Bruins got weaker offensively by losing a lot of top 6 talent but their defense is still as nasty as it was last year. If Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman stay healthy this team can still keep the puck out of the net as well as they did last year. They'll need a tougher test than the Blackhawks to show off but that time is coming. Its good to see Lucic back in uniform after 9 years away and he pretty much replaces Nick Foligno as the "uncle" of the team. Replacing Krejci with James van Riemsdyk was interesting although Kevin Shattenkirk might be an upgrade over Connor Clifton. The real story is trusting Poitras and Beecher to replace Hall & Hathaway. We'll see what happens moving forward but for now its a new season and the Bruins won their first game. The B's will be back in action Saturday night when they take on Roman Josi and the Nashville Predators. The game begins at 7:00 PM at TD Garden.