Is Brett Harrison a Prospect That Still Has a Chance?

Brett Harrison, born on June 7, 2003, in London, Ontario, was once a name to watch for the Boston Bruins. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 190 pounds, Harrison plays as a center and left winger for the Providence Bruins, and is best known for his shot.

Early Career and Development

Harrison’s journey began with the Elgin Middlesex MHA, where he honed his skills and developed a reputation for his strong play. During the 2019-2020 season, he played for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL, scoring 21 goals and 16 assists in 58 games as a 16-year-old. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020-2021 OHL season (Harrison’s draft year), leading Harrison to play in Finland for the KooVee Tampere system, where he gained valuable experience against older competition. He was drafted 85th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2021 NHL Draft.

He followed his draft year up by scoring 27 goals and 34 assists in 65 games for Oshawa. In his final season in the OHL, he scored 34 goals and 35 assists in 57 games with Oshawa and the Windsor Spitfires following a mid season trade. There was some promise, but it has yet to showcase itself at the pro level and we have to question whether it ever will.

Professional Career

Harrison signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on August 1, 2022, with a cap hit of $836,667 per season. His contract runs through the 2025-26 season, after which he will be a restricted free agent (RFA) at the age of 23. Currently, Harrison is playing for the Providence Bruins in the AHL, where he attempts to develop his game and showcase his potential.

Last season was his first full season as a pro. He scored 5 goals and 9 assists in 47 games. To date this season, Harrison has 3 goals and 4 assists in 30 games. Harrison did have a strong camp with the big club.

Scouting Report

Harrison is known for his ability to find pockets of space and use his lethal shot, especially on the powerplay where there is extra space. At least it once was. He is an average skater with average speed and first step acceleration. He is strong on his skates when he is engaged by opponents. His hockey IQ and vision are slightly better than average but what is sorely missing is the compete level.

Challenges and the Next Step

Despite his promising start, Harrison has faced challenges in taking the next step in his career. His transition to the professional level has been slower than expected, with limited impact in the AHL. While he has shown flashes, consistency and commitment have been an issue. Harrison’s development has been hampered by the inability to adapt to the faster pace and physicality of professional hockey.

To overcome these challenges, Harrison will need to focus on improving his skating, finding and maintaining a competitive edge, and developing his mental toughness. With dedication and hard work, he has the potential to become an NHL player for the Boston Bruins in the future. It all comes down to how much he wants it

In summary, Brett Harrison’s hockey career is a story of promise and potential. But that only gets you so far. It’s time to start delivering because time runs out quickly in this business.