It was the worst kept secret in off-ice moves for the Bruins. And today, the Bruins made it official signing 58th overall pick in 2020 Mason Lohrei to an Amateur Try Out Agreement (ATO), which will allow him to play in Providence for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
Some believe he was going to sign with the Bruins last season once his season ended with Ohio State Buckeyes. But reasons, the biggest being surgery required on his knee, kept the native of Verona, WI from inking his deal at the time.
You may be wondering why and ATO instead of an ELC contract at this time. Well, and ATO allows him to go to Providence to finish out the year. An ELC would do the same however, because of his age he would burn a year off his ELC regardless if he played any games in the NHL. And his ELC, again because of his age will only be a 2-year deal so burning a year off at this this late in the season isn’t something the Bruins were comfortable with. I fully expect him to sign his ELC in the offseason and if Boston runs into injury problems on the back end, they can always sign him earlier if they need too.
And just to correct some misinformation on the internet: An ATO will not allow Lohrei to go back to Ohio State next season if he chooses to go back to college. NCAA student athletes may not sign a contract (an ATO is a contract) or play in any professional games (including the CHL) including exhibition games or they will forfeit their NCAA eligibility.
Lohrei spent the 2019-2020 season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and in 48 games posted 8 goals and 29 assists. The Bruins used their second-round pick to select him and that raised eyebrows around hockey circles. There were many fans that were irate at the selection.
The 2020-2021 season saw Lohrei return to the Gamblers and he had a great season with 29 goals and 40 assists in 48 games. However, those angry fans were still angry and took to social media and message boards with the ever famous “he’s a man playing against boys” comment along with others.
You can’t please everyone.
The 2021-2022 season was Lohrei’s first with Ohio State and he had a fantastic year with 4 goals and 25 assists in 31 games. It silenced the critics, for the most part. This season he scored 4 goals and 28 assists in 40 games where it took him some time to get up to speed following his surgery.
Upon Ohio State’s elimination in the Regional Finals, Steve Ellis (associate Editor and Prospect Analyst for Daily Faceoff) who I have a lot of respect for took to Twitter:
That Sentiment was repeated by others in the hockey world. But you will always have those that can not admit a misjudgment.
Mark Divver, who is a must follow when it comes to Bruins prospects took to Twitter with comments from Quinnipiac Head Coach Rand Pecknold who had just eliminated Ohio State.
Is it time to get excited? Well, I will only urge fans to keep that excitement in check. Don’t expect the second coming of Charlie McAvoy at this point in time. Lohrei is going to need some time to adjust to the pro game.
Still, Bruins fans are pleased this deal is done as they should be. Even the many who didn’t like the pick at the beginning are pleased.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after the Bruins announced they signed Trevor Kuntar to a two-year deal beginning with the 2023-2024 season. His deal carries a cap hit of $867,500 with a base salary of $775,000 and a $92,500 signing bonus in each year. There are performance bonuses of $57,500 in each season. Kuntar will earn $80,000 in the AHL. Kuntar spent 3 seasons with Boston College.
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Dom - Hockey 