Boston Bruins Monday Morning Prospect Update Week Ending: November 9, 2025

Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – U20 Nationell

The U20 Nationell is on pause for IIHF Tournaments taking place.

Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell

The Five-Nations Under-20 tournament opened with a strong statement from Czechia, who rolled to a 5-2 win on Thursday. Blanar chipped in with a power-play assist on Czechia’s fifth goal, helping cap a dominant stretch before the opposition clawed back. He finished the night with 12:57 of ice time and a minus-1 rating in the tournament opener.

Czechia cruised to a 5-1 win over Switzerland on Friday at the Five Nations U-20 Tournament, with Blanar turning in a steady performance. While he didn’t hit the scoresheet, Blanar finished plus-2 and logged 17:12 of ice time, continuing to build his case for a World Junior roster spot.

Czechia rolled to its third straight victory on Saturday, topping Slovakia 5-2 in convincing fashion. Blanar opened the scoring with his first national team goal—a blistering one-timer from the point that rocketed over the goaltender’s stick-side shoulder. Positioned and stick ready after an offensive zone faceoff win, Blanar wasted no time unleashing the shot. He finished the night with two shots on goal, a plus-1 rating, and logged 12:18 of ice time in the win.

Czechia’s run came to a close with a 6–2 loss to Sweden in their fourth game in as many days. Blanar was held off the scoresheet, finished minus-2, and logged 19:35 of ice time in the finale. While the stat line won’t turn heads, his overall body of work likely keeps him in the mix for a spot on the Czech national squad. Now, the waiting begins.

Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL

Loko delivered a commanding 9-0 rout of JHC Dynamo on Tuesday, powered by a clinical hat trick from Yemelyanov, who did all his damage on the power play. Exploiting soft coverage on the right side, Yemelyanov’s first of the game came with a slick backhand-forehand finish from beside the net—his ninth of the season—before hammering home two signature one-timers from the right circle. The dynamic forward capped his night with three shots, a dominant 10-for-13 performance on faceoffs, and 16:37 of ice time in a statement outing.

Sunday brought more of the same for Loko—another game, another win, another step forward in a dominant campaign. With a 4–2 victory over JHC Spartak Moscow, Loko improved to 18-1-1 through 20 games, boasting just one regulation loss and one overtime setback in a 52-game slate. Yemelyanov didn’t hit the scoresheet but turned in a steady performance: two shots on goal, two blocked shots, and a commanding 11-for-15 in the faceoff circle across 18:23 of ice time.

William Zellers, – University of North Dakota

Zellers found the back of the net twice on Friday night, powering North Dakota to a commanding 7-2 win over Omaha. His first came on the power play, finishing off a 2-on-1 rush by driving the slot and redirecting a feed to make it 4-1. He added his second on a 5-on-3 advantage, sneaking back door and tapping home a back door pass into a yawning cage to extend the lead to 6-1.

North Dakota won Saturday’s rematch, skating to a 4–1 victory and tightening their grip on early-season momentum. Zellers chipped in with an assist on the empty-netter that iced the win, finishing the night plus-1 with one shot on goal.

Zellers now sits fourth in team scoring with 5 goals and 4 assists through 10 games. He’s riding a four-game point streak, tallying 3 goals and 2 assists over that span—quietly emerging as a reliable contributor in the Fighting Hawks’ lineup.

Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)

For the first time in 10 years, Miami was ranked in the top-20 teams Nationally.

This was an off week for Miami.

James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College

Boston College snapped a three-game skid Friday night, edging Vermont 2-1 to get back in the win column. Letourneau opened the scoring on the power play with a slick backhand finish—his third goal of the season. After collecting the puck to the right of the net, he glided across the crease and tucked it home, giving the Eagles a much-needed jumpstart.

Vermont drew even late in the third, setting the stage for what looked like an overtime showdown. But with just 1:30 left on the clock, James Hagens delivered a pinpoint pass to spring his teammate in alone, leading to the game-winning goal and a dramatic finish for Boston College.

Jellvik returned from injury and did not register a point. He had 3 shots on goal and 14:51 time on ice, easing himself back in. Kostadinski had 1 shot on goal with just 7:46 time on ice while Moore had 1 shot on goal and was 10 for 14 on the dot with 14:16 time on ice.

Letourneau had 4 shots on goal, 6 for 10 on the dot and 17:16 time on ice while Hagens had 2 shots on goal and 18:12 time on ice.

BC found victory a little easier on Saturday with a 5-0 win in the rematch. Hagens had an assist, was a plus-2 with 2 shots on goal and 3 for 7 on the dot with 21:38 time on ice. Letourneau was pointless, had 5 shots on goal and was 4 for 8 on the dot with 19:37 TOI.

Will Moore had a goal with 2 shots on goal and was a plus 2 and 4 for 12 on the dot with 14:56 TOI. Kostadinski had 1 shot on goal while seeing more ice time with 12:39 TOI. Oskar Jellvik was scheduled to play on Moore’s left, but did not play.

Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota

Minnesota snapped a skid and improved to 3-7-1 on the season with a 3-0 shutout victory over Notre Dame on Friday. Hendrickson broke the ice in the second period, netting his second goal of the campaign—and first since opening night—by burying a cross-crease feed with a quick-release wrist shot for the eventual game-winner. He finished the night plus-2 with four shots on goal, delivering his typical energy filled game. Hendrickson skated on the second line.

For the first time this season, Minnesota has won back-to-back wins following Saturday’s 4-1 over the same Notre Dame squad. Hendrickson did not register a point and finished a minus-1 playing second line left wing.

Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac and Alaska skated to a hard-fought 2-2 draw Tuesday night, with early fireworks courtesy of Pelosi, who opened the scoring on the power play by pouncing on a rebound off the post and burying it into a wide-open net for his fifth of the season. Pelosi finished with four shots, went 2-for-5 on faceoffs, and logged 17:42 of ice time. On the back end, Groenewold turned in a heavy-minute performance, registering three shots while anchoring the blue line for 25:01, though he was held off the scoresheet.

Quinnipiac dropped a 4-2 decision to Yale on Friday, snapping forward Pelosi’s three-game goal streak. He was held off the scoresheet but managed two shots on goal and went 5-for-7 in the faceoff circle. Groenewold remained quiet offensively, extending his scoreless stretch to five games without registering a shot. It marks his longest drought since a nine-game span between November 16 and January 4 last season.

Quinnipiac needed overtime to get it done Saturday, edging out a 4–3 win in a tightly contested matchup. With the game knotted at 1–1, Pelosi ripped a wrister from the slot over the goalie’s shoulder to give the Bobcats the lead, then added a primary assist on the 3–1 tally just five minutes later. He finished plus-1 with six shots on goal, won 8 of 13 draws, and logged 18:59 of ice time. Groenewold chipped in with an assist on the opening goal, posted a plus-2 rating, and added one shot on goal across 19:17.

Ryan Walsh – Cornell University

On Thursday, Walsh was named to the U.S. Collegiate Selects team that will represent the Americans at the Spengler Cup. The event will be hosted by the Swiss team HC Davos and runs from December 28 – 31.

Cornell skated to a 3-1 win over Mason Langenbrunner and Harvard on Friday night. Walsh shouldered a significant load, easily leading all Cornell forwards with 21:30 of ice time. He went 13-for-27 on draws and registered three shots on goal, but remains in search of his first tally of the season—a slower-than-anticipated start for one of Cornell’s key returnees.

Cornell came up short in a tightly contested 2–1 loss to Dartmouth on Saturday, and the early-season grind continues for Walsh. Despite logging a team-high 23:24 of ice time among forwards, Walsh was held off the scoresheet, finished minus-1, and registered just one shot on goal as he continues to search for offensive traction

Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University

After sitting out the season opener, Langenbrunner made his return Tuesday night as Harvard cruised past Stonehill with a 6-2 win. While he didn’t hit the scoresheet, the senior blueliner posted a plus-1 rating and logged 16:18 of ice time, skating on the second pair. His minutes ranked fifth among Harvard’s seven dressed defensemen, marking a steady re-entry into the lineup.

As mentioned above, Harvard lost 3-1 to Ryan Walsh and Cornell on Friday. Langenbrunner was a minus-1 with 4 shots on goal and 18:49 time on ice.

Harvard bounced back with a 6–5 win over Colgate on Saturday, and defenseman Langenbrunner quietly made his mark with two assists despite finishing minus-1. He registered two shots on goal and logged 20:14 of ice time—second most among Crimson blueliners—while continuing to earn reps in all situations from the second pair. With the Bruins in need right-shot defensemen, Langenbrunner continued development remains a must.

Jonathan Morello – Boston University

Boston University needed extra time to get it done, but emerged with a 3-2 overtime win over Merrimack on Friday night. Jonathan Morello opened the scoring with his first goal since the second game of the season, showcasing slick hands as he drove the net, took a backhand feed with his back to the puck carrier, and tucked it in back door. The freshman forward finished the night plus-1 with one shot on goal, went 2-for-5 in the faceoff circle, and logged 9:35 of ice time

Boston University clawed back to the .500 mark with a 5–4 rematch win on Saturday, edging out a tight contest. Morello was held off the scoresheet, finishing minus-1 with two shots on goal, a 2-for-5 mark in the faceoff circle, and 11:40 of ice time.

While his offensive numbers are tracking right on schedule—projected for 6 goals and 10 assists, currently pacing for 7 and 10—it’s his defensive consistency that stands out. Making the leap from the USHL to the NCAA is no small task, but he’s handled the transition with poise, maintaining a reliable two-way presence that’s been just as impressive as his production.

Philip Svedeback – Providence College

Providence College rode a standout performance from goaltender Philip Svedeback to a 4–1 win over Connecticut on Friday night. The netminder turned aside 37 of 38 shots and even picked up an assist on the game-winning goal, capping off a night that saw him deliver in key moments. UConn generated 4.7 expected goals, but Svedeback’s timely saves kept the Friars in control from start to finish

Saturday’s rematch officially ended in a 2-2 draw but UConn won the shootout. Svedeback wasn’t as busy as he was on Friday stopping 28 of 30 shots he faced. He also stopped 2 of 3 in the shootout.

Cooper Simpson – Youngstown – USHL

Cooper Simpson delivered a standout performance Friday night, notching a goal and an assist to lead Youngstown past the Sioux Falls Stampede in a 6-2 victory. Renowned for his lethal shot, Simpson showcased it in full force midway through the contest, curling into the right faceoff dot and ripping a wicked wrister that beat the goaltender clean for the eventual game-winner. Just four minutes later, he added a crisp assist to stay locked atop the USHL scoring race.

Youngstown cruised to a 4–0 shutout victory over Sioux Falls on Saturday, with Simpson once again leading the charge. The forward notched a goal and an assist, opening the scoring midway through the first period with what proved to be the game-winner—capitalizing on a broken play – his teammate all alone in front fell – by scooping up a loose puck in the slot and slipping it past the goaltender with a slick deke. Simpson later added a helper on the insurance marker, continuing his strong run of form.

Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL

Shawinigan came up short in a 5-4 loss to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Friday night. Chandler picked up an assist on the game’s opening goal midway through the first period but was otherwise held in check, finishing plus-1 with one shot on goal and a 7-for-14 mark in the faceoff circle. Despite the quiet outing, Chandler has been productive of late, posting 2 goals and 9 assists over his last 10 games following a brief two-game drought to open October.

Shawinigan bounced back in a big way Saturday, rolling past the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies with a 7–3 win. Chandler continued his impressive start, netting a pair of goals—including the game-winner, a quick release from the slot for his third of the season—before sealing the victory with an empty-netter. He finished the night with two shots on goal, a plus-2 rating, three hits, and went 8-for-17 in the faceoff circle

Cole Spicer – Western Michigan

Spicer did not play last week as he is still trying to resurrect his hockey career.

Providence Bruins

Providence 2 – Cleveland 1

Michael DiPietro made a career high 43 saves to lead Providence to a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Monsters on Friday night.

Dans Locmelis opened the scoring late in the first period, capitalizing on a shorthanded opportunity with just three minutes remaining. On a 2-on-0 rush with Patrick Brown, Locmelis took a crisp feed and hammered a one-timer past the outstretched glove of the goaltender, giving his team the early edge.

With just 22 seconds left in the opening frame, Providence doubled its lead in unexpected fashion. On a two-on-one rush, John Farinacci attempted a pass that deflected off a defender’s stick and slipped past the goaltender to make it 2-0. Matej Blumel and Fabian Lysell picked up the assists on the fortunate bounce.

Cleveland clawed back with a shorthanded tally of their own with 4:28 remaining in the second period, but that would be the end of their push. DiPietro slammed the door shut from there, turning aside everything that came his way to preserve the win.

Providence 3 – Cleveland 2 (OT)

It took an overtime goal by Matthew Poitras, but the Bruins left Cleveland with two victories on the weekend following Sunday’s win.

Cleveland struck first, opening the scoring 7:48 into the contest. But the Bruins responded early in the second period with another shorthanded tally. Farinacci forced a turnover and threaded a perfect pass to the far post, where Jake Schmaltz buried his first goal of the season to even the score at 1-1

Cleveland jumped back in front with 8:49 to go in the second period, but the Bruins answered early in the third. Riley Duran carried the puck up ice and fed Farinacci, who snapped a shot just under the bar to knot the game at 2-2. Schmaltz picked up the secondary assist on the equalizer.

Just 49 seconds into overtime, Georgii Merkulov threaded a crisp pass to the far post, where Poitras made no mistake, redirecting the puck into the back of the net for the game-winner. Blumel was credited with the secondary assist on the decisive play.

Simon Zajicek stopped 28 of 30 shots for the win. The Bruins improved to 10-1-0-0 and will play the next five games at home. Lysell did not dress.

Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.

Coming up this week:

Summary Sunday: Boston Bruins Notes, Storylines and Rumors: November 9, 2025

Last week’s inaugural article drew an overwhelmingly positive response, with plenty of messages urging a follow-up—so here we are. There’s always something worth unpacking, and with the conversation rolling, it felt only right to keep it going. Here’s hoping this edition resonates just as strongly.

Elliotte Friedman stirred the Bruins rumor mill (again) this week in his latest 32 Thoughts, spotlighting the curious case of Mason Lohrei. While Friedman clarified, “I don’t know that there’s anything going on trade-wise with Mason Lohrei,” he added a telling caveat: “But I do know that when a talented, young player like him sits four games in a row, others call and ask what’s up.” With Lohrei scratched for multiple games despite his upside, speculation is mounting around his future in Boston—and whether rival GMs are circling.

There is no doubt teams are making calls—that’s part of the job for any NHL general manager, and just as much a responsibility for Don Sweeney to pick up the phone and listen. With Sweeney occasionally on the road scouting for Team Canada’s Olympic roster, the Bruins GM is likely engaging in more conversations than usual with his counterparts across the league.

A move may not materialize overnight—or at all—but multiple conversations can quietly lay the groundwork. Just look back to a year ago, when Sweeney was scouting for Team Canada for the Four Nations tournament. That stretch of intel and dialogue proved valuable, paying dividends when the trade deadline rolled around.

Has Lohrei faced challenges this season? Absolutely. Adjusting to the new system Head Coach Marco Sturm is demanding has proven difficult across the Bruins’ blue line, and Lohrei is no exception. But while the growing pains are real, so is his upside—there’s simply no one on the roster, or in the pipeline, with his level of offensive talent from the back end. Vashek Blanar may one day reach that tier, but that’s a long-term, multiple year projection. For now, Lohrei remains Boston’s most dynamic offensive weapon on defense, even amid the learning curve.

Fans are no strangers to the allure of the “shiny new toy” syndrome. Last season, it was Michael Callahan who captured early attention. This year, Jonathan Aspirot has stepped into that spotlight—ironically taking over for Callahan after the latter was the first blueliner called up. And two years ago, it was Lohrei who wore the crown of promise. The cycle continues, but the fascination with fresh faces remains a constant.

While there’s a growing chorus urging Sweeney to give the kids a shot and let them grow at the NHL level, it’s easy to forget that Lohrei is still just 24 years old. The development curve is still very much in motion—and he should remain a key part of Boston’s long-term blueprint. Given the current landscape, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Bruins come out ahead in any trade involving Lohrei. With his age, upside, and unique offensive skill set on the blue line, the risk of selling low far outweighs the potential return.

Sturm appears to be striking the right chord with his group. Speaking candidly, Sturm said Lohrei “should be pissed off” about sitting out, but praised the young blueliner’s effort, noting he’s “working hard in practice and ready for when he gets back in.” It’s a message that blends accountability with opportunity—and one that could light a fire under Lohrei as he looks to re-enter the lineup.

Denis Potvin, a Hall of Fame blueliner whose legacy speaks volumes, once famously remarked, “It takes defensemen 200 games to develop in the NHL.” It’s a sentiment rooted in experience, yet not all fans are prepared to extend that runway to Lohrei.

Patience, it seems, remains in short supply.

This and That

Speaking of Blanar, the Bruins prospect is currently suiting up for Czechia at the Five Nations U-20 Tournament in Slovakia, aiming to secure a coveted spot on the World Junior Championship roster this December. Blanar is one of several Boston hopefuls looking to represent their countries. Joining him are James Hagens, Will Zellers, Will Moore, Elliott Groenewold, and Cooper Simpson—all hoping to represent Team USA—along with Jonathan Morello, looking for a shut down role for Canada (long shot).

An intriguing nugget surfaced on this week’s PuckPedia Podcast regarding the San Jose Sharks’ roster situation. The club is currently at the NHL’s 50-contract limit—a tally that notably excludes top prospect Michael Misa. His deal won’t officially count until he plays his 11th game, but once it does, San Jose will need to make a move to stay compliant. That leaves three options: trade a contract, mutually terminate one, or return Misa to junior. It’s a situation worth monitoring, especially with Misa currently sidelined week-to-week with an injury and giving the Sharks an opportunity to find a solution.

With injuries mounting and defensive depth thinning, the New Jersey Devils may be eyeing reinforcements on the back end. In a recent piece for NJHockeyNow, James Nichols highlighted the team’s growing concerns, citing both key absences and underwhelming performances from a pair of blueliners. Nichols floated a potential solution, speculating that “perhaps the Boston Bruins are toast, and Andrew Peeke can be had on an expiring deal.”

While it’s fair to say a sizable portion of Bruins fans wouldn’t lose sleep over parting with Peeke, the notion that Boston is “toast” feels premature. The Bruins remain firmly in the playoff mix, and in today’s NHL, right-shot defensemen are a rare commodity—teams don’t give them away lightly.

Could Peeke be dangled at the deadline if Boston falters? Sure. But as things stand, there’s little reason to believe he’s on the block. For now, count me among the skeptics.

It’s been a rocky start for Trent Frederic in Edmonton. The former Bruins forward is trending toward a dip in production compared to his final stretch in Boston, raising eyebrows across the league. With an eight-year deal carrying a $3.85 million AAV, the early returns aren’t flattering.

The Bruins traded Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers in a three-team deal involving the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins received defenseman Max Wanner and two draft picks – a 2025 second-round pick (Will Moore) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (traded to Buffalo for Henri Jokiharju). As part of the trade, the Oilers acquired Frederic, forward Max Jones, and the rights to unsigned prospect Petr Hauser.

It may not carry the same lopsided optics as the Brandon Carlo deal—or even the Charlie Coyle acquisition—but this move operates in a different lane entirely. Context matters, and comparisons to past trades only go so far. The dynamics here are unique, and the value can’t be measured on the same scale.

Speculation continues to swirl around Owen Tippett in Philadelphia. The trade buzz first surfaced a few weeks ago via Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, and it hasn’t quieted since. In fact, Elliotte Friedman added fuel to the fire during an appearance on the Daily Faceoff Podcast back on October 21, stopping well short of shutting the door on the possibility.

Tippett, a 26-year-old right-shot winger, checks a lot of boxes for the Bruins—both short-term and long-term. If the Flyers are truly open to moving him, it’s a situation Sweeney should monitor closely.

That said, Philadelphia’s most pressing need lies on the blueline, and Boston may not have the defensive capital to meet that price.

I’m putting together a fresh mailbag for Wednesday, and your questions are on deck. If there’s something you’d like answered—whether it’s trade buzz, lineup decisions, or prospect chatter—drop it in via the contact form above or click here to submit.

Boston Bruins Monday Morning Prospect Update Week Ending: November 2, 2025

Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – U20 Nationell

Pettersson missed both Vaxjo games last week.

The U20 Nationell is off until November 12.

Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell

Vashek Blanar turned in a standout performance Friday with a goal and 2 assists, but it wasn’t enough to lift HV71 past Rogle BK in a 4–3 defeat. After setting up the power-play equalizer, Blanar gave his team its only lead of the night just 2:17 later with a dazzling individual effort—collecting the puck at the blue line, driving down the left wing, cutting to the net, and beating the defender before roofing a backhand bar-down over the goalie’s shoulder. It was his third goal of the season. Down 4-2, he assisted on another powerplay goal to bring his team within one, but that’s how the game would end.

Saturday brought another setback for HV71, who fell 5–1 to the IF Malmo Redhawks, slipping to 5-9-1 on the season and ninth in the Sodra Division standings. While the club ranks a respectable fifth in goals scored, defensive struggles continue to plague them—they sit ninth in goals against, with a concerning gap. Forward Blanar was held off the scoresheet and finished the night a minus-1, tagged on an empty-netter late in regulation.

Blanar’s next challenge comes on the international stage, as he heads to the Five Nations Tournament kicking off Thursday—a key tune-up ahead of the World Junior Championships. The Czech blueliner enters as the youngest of seven defensemen selected to represent his country, offering a valuable opportunity to showcase his poise and upside against elite U20 competition.

Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL

Loko continued their winning ways with a 5–2 triumph over JHC Atalant on Friday, sparked by a shorthanded opener from Yemelyanov. The forward disrupted a play just inside his own blue line, jumpstarted the counterattack with a breakout pass, and then finished the sequence himself—taking a return feed in the slot and snapping it high blocker side to set the tone early. He also added an assist, was a plus-2 with 6 shots on goal and won 20 of 31 faceoffs in 17:03 time on ice.

Off topic: For draft junkies, keep an eye on Lavr Gashilov. Missed the 2025 Draft cutoff by 8 days and is tearing up the MHL this season.

William Zellers, – University of North Dakota

North Dakota’s recent skid continued Friday night with a 4–3 overtime defeat at the hands of Minnesota-Duluth — their third loss in the last four outings. Zellers provided a late spark, assisting on the dramatic game-tying goal with just 1:11 left in regulation to force the extra frame.

North Dakota bounced back in emphatic fashion Saturday, rolling to a 5–1 victory in the rematch. The turning point came midway through the second period, when Zellers capitalized on the power play to give UND a 2–1 lead. Taking a feed at the top of the right circle, he slipped past a defender in his way to the net and wired a pinpoint shot far side, beating the goaltender over the blocker for what stood as the game-winner.

Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)

Miami’s unbeaten run came to a halt Friday night, falling 4–1 to Arizona State in a decisive road loss. Nassen was held off the scoresheet for a third consecutive game, finishing with two shots on goal and a minus-2 rating. He did not register a point on Miami’s lone tally.

Miami snapped out of it in convincing fashion Saturday, dispatching Arizona 5–2 to get back in the win column. For Nassen, though, the offensive struggles persist. His pointless streak stretched to four games, while his goalless drought hit seven. He logged 17:10 of ice time and managed one shot on goal, but remained absent from the scoresheet.

Miami will have an off week this week.

James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College

Boston College fell 4–1 to Northeastern on Thursday night at Conte Forum, but the return of Oskar Jellvik provided an early spark. Back from injury, Jellvik made an immediate impact on a gritty sequence that led to BC’s lone goal.

After James Hagens fired a shot wide from the right faceoff circle, the puck ricocheted off the end boards and out to Jellvik along the left wall. Despite losing his footing, Jellvik—on his hands and knees—managed a self-pass off the boards and followed it up with a second feed to the front of the net, where it was deftly redirected in.

It was a moment of resilience and creativity in an otherwise tough outing for the Eagles. Andre Gasseau missed the game and had surgery and will be out until the new year. In Gasseau’s absence, Letourneau saw elevated time and responded with a strong individual effort. He registered five shots on goal, went 10-for-16 in the faceoff circle, and logged 17:54 of ice time. Despite finishing with a minus-3 rating, Letourneau’s performance offered a glimpse of his poise and potential in a larger role.

Will Moore did not register a point and also had 5 shots on goal. He was 7 for 14 on the dot with 15:47 time on ice. Kristian Kostadinski did not dress.

Friday’s rematch offered no reprieve for the struggling squad, as Northeastern cruised to a 3-0 shutout. Already without Gasseau, the absence of Jellvik loomed even larger—sidelined once again due to injury. After missing most of last season and appearing in just two games this year, his continued unavailability raises serious concerns about long-term durability and roster reliability.

The early-season scrutiny has already begun, with a small but outspoken contingent of fans voicing doubts about James Hagens. It’s not entirely unexpected—high-profile prospects often draw outsized attention. Still, with just six games in the books, it’s far too early to draw meaningful conclusions. The sample size is slim, and the story of this season is only beginning to unfold.

Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota

Minnesota’s skid continued Thursday night with a 5–1 loss to Wisconsin, marking their third consecutive defeat. Hendrickson, who had recently seen time on the top line, was bumped back down to the third unit for the matchup. He logged 17:20 of ice time but finished the night without a shot on goal and a minus-1 rating, as the Gophers struggled to generate sustained offense.

The losing streak hit four games on Saturday as Wisconsin won 4-0. Hendrickson had 1 shot on goal with 15:30 time on ice.

Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac had an off week.

Ryan Walsh – Cornell University

Cornell’s season opener ended in disappointment Friday night, as the Big Red fell 2–1 to Massachusetts. Centering the top line, Walsh was held off the scoresheet, recording three shots on goal and winning 9 of 21 faceoffs in the loss.

Cornell edged out a 3–1 win in Saturday’s rematch, powered by a pair of timely setups from Walsh. With the game knotted at 1–1 late in the second period, the forward orchestrated a power-play strike to give the Big Red the lead. He followed up in the third, threading a pass on a 5-on-3 advantage for the eventual insurance goal at 13:28. Walsh finished the night with two assists, one shot on goal, a 9-for-17 mark in the faceoff circle, and 19:26 of ice time.

Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University

Harvard tied their season opener, 1-1 with Connecticut on Friday night. Mason Langenbrunner did not play.

Jonathan Morello – Boston University

Boston University dropped a 5–4 overtime heartbreaker to Maine on Friday night, slipping to 3-4-1 on the season. Morello was held off the scoresheet for the fifth straight game, finishing with zeroes across the board in the loss.

Saturday night proved a rough outing for BU, who dropped an 8–5 decision to Maine in a high-scoring affair. Morello provided a spark with a shorthanded assist that pulled the Terriers even at 3–3 after trailing early, but that proved to be the lone highlight. He finished with two shots on goal and went 5-for-12 in the faceoff circle.

Philip Svedeback – Providence College

Providence skated to a 5–2 victory over UMass-Lowell on Friday night, with Svedeback delivering a strong bounce-back performance between the pipes. The senior netminder turned aside 25 of 27 shots — several of the high-danger variety — to secure his second win of the season.

UMass-Lowell took the rematch Saturday 5-2. Svedeback did not play and backed up.

Cooper Simpson

Youngstown lost 3-2 to Chicago on Friday. Simpson assisted on the 2-2 goal with 2:32 to play in the second period. He had a game high 5 shots on goal and was a minus-1.

Youngstown came out firing in Saturday’s rematch, steamrolling Chicago with a decisive 6–1 victory. Simpson added to the onslaught early in the third, netting his sixth of the season just 56 seconds in to extend the lead to 4–0. The winger collected a pass along the right wall, cut into the slot, and ripped a shot through a defender’s screen, beating the goaltender clean for a statement tally.

Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL

Shawinigan opened their weekend set in Newfoundland on a sour note, suffering a lopsided 7–2 defeat at the hands of the Regiment on Saturday. Despite a near-even shot count—24–23 in favor of Newfoundland—the Cataractes struggled to generate sustained pressure and paid the price defensively. Chandler finished the night minus-1, recorded one shot on goal, and went 5-for-11 in the faceoff circle.

Shawinigan needed overtime to get it done Sunday, but they escaped The Rock with a thrilling 6–5 win—and Chandler delivered his most complete performance of the season. The forward notched a goal and two assists, including a textbook net-front tip on the power play that went bar-down to give the Cataractes a 4–1 cushion. After Newfoundland clawed back to 4–3, Chandler set up the fifth goal and later capped his night with the primary assist on the overtime winner. He also dominated the faceoff circle, going 17-for-23.

Cole Spicer – Western Michigan

Spicer did not dress in either game last week.

Providence Bruins

Providence 3 – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1

It was the battle of undefeated teams Wednesday as the 6-0-0 Bruins were on the road to face the 7-0-0 Penguins.

Brett Harrison opened the scoring early in the second period with a sharp wrist shot from the high slot. After scooping up a loose puck at the blue line, Harrison drove into prime shooting territory and beat the goaltender blocker side to give his club the early edge. The goal keeps Harrison on a point-per-game pace, underscoring his consistent offensive contributions early in the season. Michael Callahan and Patrick Brown picked up assists on the play, helping set the tone in a strong start.

Riley Tufte showcased his finishing touch late in the period, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to give Providence a 2–0 cushion with 6:57 remaining. After collecting a loose puck behind the Penguins’ defense, Tufte skated in uncontested and slipped a shot five-hole for his fifth goal of the season. Brown and Billy Sweezey were credited with the assists on the play. Just over a minute later, the Penguins would get one back.

With 2:28 left in the second period, Matej Blumel delivered a pinpoint cross-crease pass to Georgii Merkulov, who was perfectly positioned at the left post for a tap-in finish—his fifth goal of the season. Dans Locmelis picked up the secondary assist on the play.

Providence 0 – Hershey 2

All good things must end, and on Saturday, the Providence Bruins saw their perfect 7-0-0-0 run snapped with a 2–0 loss to Hershey. Goaltender Simon Zajicek turned aside 27 of 28 shots and stood as Providence’s lone bright spot in an otherwise quiet outing. Notably, Fabian Lysell opened the game on the fourth line—a clear message from Head Coach Ryan Mougenel as he looks to spark a more rounded game from the talented winger.

Providence 5 – Charlotte 2

Tufte led the way with 2 goals and an assist as Providence got back to their winning ways on Sunday.

John Farinacci opened his account for the season with a slick finish, taking a feed from Blumel in stride down the slot and slipping a backhander through the pads to give his club a 1–0 lead. Charlotte responded with a pair to jump ahead 2–1, but Brown drew things even, burying a rebound off a wrap-around attempt from Tufte to end the first period in a 2-2 tie.

Alex Steeves put Providence ahead 3–2 late in the second period, hammering home a one-timer with 4:12 remaining to cap off a crisp offensive sequence. Colin Felix, who had already picked up an assist on Farinacci’s opening goal, earned his second helper of the night on the play, showcasing his steady presence on the back end.

Lysell extended the lead with a highlight-reel finish, corralling a high lob from Frederic Brunet in stride before breaking in alone and slipping a backhand just inside the left post. Victor Soderstrom picked up the secondary assist on the play, while Tufte sealed the win with an empty-netter to close out the scoring.

DiPietro stopped 21 of 23 shots on the night to remain unbeaten. Matthew Poitras got into his first professional fight.

Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.

Coming up this week:

Summary Sunday: Boston Bruins Notes, Storylines and Rumors

On the last week’s edition of Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman weighed in on the Pavel Zacha situation again, noting that the Bruins are in a strong negotiating position. “I think the Bruins are in a really good spot here in the sense that they don’t have to do anything. The price is big. [GM Don Sweeney] is happy to keep him… nothing’s gonna happen unless you hit this target.”

Dave Pagnotta on The Sheet with Jeff Marek re Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt: His name [Zacha] popped up at trade deadline and again in the summer. I think these are two guys Boston is willing to continue to explore on.

Chris Johnston on the Chris Johnston Show said: Are the Canucks and the Bruins a fit, with Boston having both Zacha and Mittelstadt; the Bruins don’t need to make that trade and Vancouver might need it a little more; might be in a position where you have to be overpaying.

And the team everyone is talking about: Vancouver Canucks.

Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin has made no secret of his intent to bolster Vancouver’s depth down the middle, publicly acknowledging on multiple occasions his desire to add a center. The speculation has persisted for months, with Boston frequently surfacing as a potential trade partner amid its own roster challenges.

So how much of the chatter is rooted in legitimate dialogue—and how much is simply a product of connecting the dots between Vancouver’s positional needs and Boston’s recent struggles? Given the longevity of the rumors and Allvin’s consistent messaging, it’s fair to assume there’s substance behind the smoke. Whether that materializes into a deal remains to be seen.

Adding a fresh layer to the ongoing speculation, Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading that the Bruins view Zacha as a long-term piece of their roster puzzle. According to LeBrun: The Canucks did indeed reach out to the Bruins in the summer…to see if he was available, “but what I’m being told in terms of the Bruins is they view Zacha as a long-term fit; don’t be surprised if they try to extend him.”

With Zacha’s versatility and steady two-way play, an extension would align with the Bruins’ efforts to maintain continuity while navigating a transitional phase

If I’m placing bets, LeBrun remains the gold standard when it comes to NHL insider reporting. His credibility and precision are second to none. That said, Friedman is firmly in the elite tier himself—his track record and deep network make him one of the most respected voices in hockey media.

When both are circling a story, it’s usually a signal to pay attention. But in this case, it’s important to note: they’re tracking two different narratives. The overlap may be tempting, but the context behind each report deserves its own lens.

There are mixed signals surrounding the Zacha situation, and understandably so. One thing is certain: Sweeney is listening. That’s his job—evaluate every option, weigh every call. But moving Zacha this early in the season would carry implications far beyond the return.

It’s a move that could send the wrong message—not just to ownership and the coaching staff, but to the locker room, the rest of the league, and a fan base still gauging the club’s direction. Unless the return clearly upgrades another area of the roster both now and in the long term, the optics—and timing—make it a tough sell.

Any deal would make so much more sense at trade deadline if the Bruins are clearly out of the race.

THIS AND THAT

According to NHL Edge tracking data, Morgan Geekie’s goal on Tuesday against the New York Islanders registered at a blistering 95.68 MPH, the hardest recorded in the league this season. It’s a mark that underscores the growing impact of the versatile forward, who continues to deliver with both power and precision. David Pastrnak said of Geekie’s shot “It’s the best on the team.”

With early-season struggles mounting, many Bruins fans have already begun looking past the current campaign and toward the 2026 NHL Draft—where Boston holds two coveted first-round selections. The next marquee scouting event on the calendar is the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, set for November 25 and 26 in Alberta.

The two-game showcase will feature a roster of CHL draft-eligible standouts squaring off against the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-18 squad, offering scouts a prime opportunity to evaluate top-tier talent head-to-head. The CHL officially unveiled its roster this week, setting the stage for one of the draft season’s most anticipated matchups.

Speaking of the 2026 NHL Draft, one Bruins amateur scout expressed genuine excitement about the talent pool and Boston’s positioning. “I’m really looking forward to this draft,” he said, noting the depth and opportunity it presents. The scout also added with a chuckle, “I hope we have all our picks come June—but I’m selfish.” It’s a candid glimpse into the mindset of those behind the scenes.

A year after being shut out of the World Junior Championships, the Bruins’ prospect pipeline is poised to make a stronger impression. Leading the charge is Vashek Blanar, Boston’s 2025 draft pick, who was named to the Czech Republic’s roster for the upcoming Five-Nations Tournament—a key precursor to the WJC. Blanar, the youngest of seven defensemen selected for the event, continues to turn heads with his poise and two-way play.

Back in July, I posed the question: Should the Bruins explore a move for Columbus forward Yegor Chinakhov? Fast forward to the present, and the situation has evolved. After starting the season as a healthy scratch, Chinakhov has quietly put together a productive stretch—posting two goals and two assists in six games. At 24, he still offers upside and fits the mold of a player who could contribute now while growing into a larger role. With a new agent, Rick Komarow, now representing him, the Blue Jackets have granted them permission to explore trade options. Sweeney should at least listen. Chinakhov’s skill set and age profile align with both short-term needs and long-term planning. The opportunity is there—if Boston chooses to act.

The questions keep coming about what to make of this Bruins team, but my stance hasn’t wavered since the opening days of training camp: I’m reserving judgment until the 20-game mark. Until then, it’s about watching, evaluating, and—hopefully—enjoying the ride as we see whether Marco Sturm’s system is truly taking hold.

There’s no question the Bruins are feeling the effects of limited practice time as they work to implement Sturm’s system. While Providence—operating under the same structure—has shown strong early returns, the key difference lies in preparation. The P-Bruins benefit from extended stretches to drill and refine their approach, whereas Boston’s condensed schedule has left little room for meaningful reps. It’s a critical gap that’s showing up in execution.

Speaking of Providence, their perfect 7-0-0-0 run came to a halt Saturday with a 2–0 loss to Hershey—a result that’s only amplified calls from fans for reinforcements in Boston. But let’s pump the brakes. Scoring hasn’t been the Bruins’ problem; it’s keeping pucks out of their own net that’s raised red flags. That’s led some to lobby for a Frederic Brunet call-up, especially in light of Mason Lohrei’s recent scratches. Still, it’s a complex equation, and a couple of games shouldn’t tip the scales.

Let’s be clear—no outlet has championed Brunet more than this one. But while his offensive upside was well-documented leading into the draft, the defensive side of his game only began to take shape after arriving in Providence. He’s made strides, no doubt, but he’s not yet ready for a full-time NHL role. If Boston’s core issue is goal prevention, Brunet isn’t the immediate solution. A full season in the AHL remains the best path forward—for both the player and the organization.

Roster Announced for Team CHL Ahead of 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge

Back in August, I highlighted the significance of the 2026 NHL Draft for the Boston Bruins, particularly in the lead-up to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Now, the next marquee event on the scouting calendar is here: the USA/CHL Prospects Challenge.

This two-game showcase will pit the CHL’s top draft-eligible talent against the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-18 squad, offering scouts and executives another critical look at potential first-rounders in a head-to-head setting.

Earlier today, the CHL officially unveiled its roster for the event. You can find the full press release below.

Fifteen “A”-rated prospects — all projected first-round selections for the 2026 NHL Draft — headline this year’s Team CHL roster. Both games will air live on TSN and RDS at 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET — November 25 in Calgary and November 26 in Lethbridge. Tickets are available now at chl.ca/prospectschallenge.

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce the full roster for Team CHL (see full roster below) ahead of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, which will see the top 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) face off against the U.S. National Under-18 Team in a two-game series hosted by the Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes — Tuesday, November 25 at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome and Wednesday, November 26 at Lethbridge’s VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

Announced in September, defenceman Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants / WHL), forward Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs / OHL), and defenceman Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL) were the first players named to Team CHL after being identified by NHL Central Scouting. They now join 19 additional top NHL Draft prospects from across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL, who complete the roster representing the league’s next generation at this premier showcase.

The final 19 players were selected from a list of top 2026 NHL Draft prospects developed in consultation with all 32 NHL clubs. Leading the process was General Manager Yanick Lemay (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL), working in collaboration with Head Coach Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL) and assistant coaches Jay McKee (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL), Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL), and Mike Johnston (Portland Winterhawks / WHL). Together, they assembled a roster featuring 13 forwards, seven defencemen, and two goaltenders selected to represent the CHL at this year’s event.

“The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is a tremendous opportunity for our top draft-eligible players to compete against elite competition from the U.S. National Under-18 Team while showcasing the strength of our player development system across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “We’re proud of each of these players for earning this opportunity and congratulate them on being selected to represent the CHL at this prestigious event, which shines a light on the next generation of NHL talent.”

“The Team CHL coaching staff is thrilled to have such a deep, talented roster for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge,” stated Willie Desjardins, Head Coach of Team CHL and General Manager and Head Coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers. “We look forward to coaching the best of the best players from across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.”

Among the forwards set to compete for Team CHL are JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers / WHL), Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), and Egor Shilov (Victoriaville Tigres / QMJHL). Hurlbert leads both the WHL and CHL in scoring with 28 points (11G-17A) through 14 games this season. In the OHL, Klepov ranks second in league scoring with 22 points (9G-13A) – the highest total among first-year players in the OHL – while Belchetz stands alone atop the OHL and ranks tied for second in the CHL with 12 goals. Meanwhile, Shilov continues to pace all QMJHL rookies with 21 points (7G-14A) in 12 games.

On the blueline, Lin and Villeneuve headline a defensive group that also includes Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Chase Reid (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds / OHL), and Charlie Morrison (Québec Remparts / QMJHL) among the seven defencemen named to Team CHL. Reid leads all first-year NHL Draft-eligible defencemen in the OHL with 14 points (2G-12A), ranking second only to Villeneuve (4G-18A-22 PTS) among that same group of blueliners across the CHL. Rudolph has tallied nine points (3G-6A) in 11 games while helping the Raiders climb to No. 8 in the CHL Top-10 Rankings with an unbeaten record in regulation. Meanwhile, Morrison, one of just six QMJHL players to earn a “B” rating from NHL Central Scouting on its preliminary rankings, has yet to appear in a game this season but is expected to be healthy in time for the event.

Between the pipes, Team CHL features Harrison Boettiger (Kelowna Rockets / WHL) and Zachary Jovanovski (Guelph Storm / OHL). Jovanovski has recorded five 30-plus save performances through his first ten starts (5-3-1-0) in 2025-26, while Boettiger has allowed two goals or fewer in two of his four starts this season, posting at least 28 saves in both those outings. Notably, Boettiger is the lone returning player from last year’s event – then representing the U.S. National Under-18 Team – when he made 35 saves and posted a .921 save percentage in a 3-2 loss to Team CHL in Game 2 of the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.

The 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge will be broadcast live across Canada on TSN and RDS, with Game 1 in Calgary on November 25 and Game 2 in Lethbridge on November 26. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET both nights. Tickets are available now at chl.ca/prospectschallenge.

Quick Facts on Team CHL

  • All 15 CHL players who received an “A” rating from NHL Central Scouting – identifying them as projected first-round candidates for the 2026 NHL Draft – have been named to Team CHL’s roster.
  • This year’s roster features 10 players from the OHL, eight from the WHL, and four from the QMJHL.
  • Five American-born players are included, highlighted by Nikita Klepov and Brooks Rogowski, who captured gold with Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
  • Eight additional players represented Canada at that same event, earning bronze medals: Belchetz, Carels, Di Iorio, Edwards, Lin, Pantelas, Preston, and Rudolph.
  • Six members of Team CHL – Carels, Di Iorio, Lin, Roobroeck, Rudolph, and Villeneuve – helped Canada capture gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship.
  • Two players on Team CHL hail from outside North America: Czech forward Adam Novotný and Russian forward Egor Shilov.
  • Six players on the team are competing in their first CHL season: Boettiger, Hurlbert, Klepov, Malhotra, Novotný, and Shilov.
  • In total, 19 CHL clubs are represented on the roster, including three teams featuring a pair of teammates — Spokane Chiefs (Preston & Harrington), Sarnia Sting (Di Iorio & Edwards), and Québec Remparts (Dagenais & Morrison).
ameTeamLeagueHometownNHL CS Grade
Forwards (13)
Ethan BelchetzWindsor SpitfiresOHLOakville, ONA
Maddox DagenaisQuébec RempartsQMJHLSaint-Lazare, QCB
Alessandro Di IorioSarnia StingOHLVaughan, ONA
Beckham EdwardsSarnia StingOHLKomoka, ONB
Chase HarringtonSpokane ChiefsWHLPrince George, BCB
JP HurlbertKamloops BlazersWHLAllen, TX (USA)A
Nikita KlepovSaginaw SpiritOHLDeerfield Beach, FL (USA)A
Caleb MalhotraBrantford BulldogsOHLToronto, ONA
Adam NovotnýPeterborough PetesOHLKobylice, CZEA
Mathis PrestonSpokane ChiefsWHLPenticton, BCA
Brooks RogowskiOshawa GeneralsOHLBrighton, MI (USA)A
Ryan RoobroeckNiagara IceDogsOHLLondon, ONA
Egor ShilovVictoriaville TigresQMJHLTyumen, RUSA
Defencemen (7)
Carson CarelsPrince George CougarsWHLCypress River, MBA
Ryan LinVancouver GiantsWHLRichmond, BCA
Charlie MorrisonQuébec RempartsQMJHLMiramichi, NBB
Giorgos PantelasBrandon Wheat KingsWHLVictoria, BCB
Chase ReidSault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsOHLChesterfield, MI (USA)A
Daxon RudolphPrince Albert RaidersWHLLacombe, ABA
Xavier VilleneuveBlainville-Boisbriand ArmadaQMJHLLes Cèdres, QCA
Goaltenders (2)
Harrison BoettigerKelowna RocketsWHLWheat Rudge, CO (USA)B
Zachary JovanovskiGuelph StormOHLTecumseh, ONB

About the CHL USA Prospects Challenge
First introduced in 2024, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge is a best-on-best, two-game series spotlighting the top NHL Draft-eligible players from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL facing off against the U.S. National Under-18 Team. The inaugural edition, held last November in London and Oshawa, proved a major success — 16 of 22 players on Team CHL were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

The 2025 edition, hosted by the Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes, will once again spotlight elite NHL prospects projected to headline the 2026 NHL Draft — including 15 players who earned an “A” rating (first-round candidate) on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List.

Fans can catch both games live in Canada on TSN and RDS on November 25 (Calgary) and November 26 (Lethbridge). Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET. Tickets for both games are available now at chl.ca/prospectschallenge.

Boston Bruins Monday Morning Prospect Update Week Ending: October 26, 2025

Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – U20 Nationell

Pettersson has yet to return to action, missing a pair of games last week. He has now missed 9 consecutive games.

Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell

Czechia has unveiled its Under-20 roster for the upcoming Five Nations tournament in Piešťany, Slovakia, and among the seven blueliners selected, one name stands out: Blanar. The youngest defenseman on the squad, Blanar will suit up from November 5–9 as the Czechs face off against top-tier competition from Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, and host Slovakia. His inclusion signals growing confidence in his development trajectory—and sets the stage for an international test against some of Europe’s best.

Blanar snapped a six-game scoring drought in style on Saturday, picking up the primary assist on the power-play game-winner as HV71 rolled to a 6–2 victory over IF Malmö. The 18-year-old blueliner now has two goals and three assists through nine games this season and continues to log heavy minutes on the top defensive pairing while spending time on the club’s first power-play unit.

Rogle BK surged past HV71 with a decisive 7–3 victory on Sunday, breaking open a tightly contested matchup with a stunning second-period sequence. Deadlocked at 3–3 late in the frame, HV71 unraveled with 1:36 remaining, surrendering two goals in just 12 seconds as Rogle seized a 5–3 lead heading into the intermission. HV71’s push to equalize in the third saw defenseman Blanar activated on the attack, but the gamble didn’t pay off. Rogle capitalized on the open ice, netting three goals with Blanar on the ice to put the game out of reach. While the blueliner wasn’t solely responsible for the collapse, the final stretch underscored HV71’s defensive vulnerabilities under pressure.

Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL

Loko continued its run atop the Gold Division with a 4–2 victory over Omskie Yastrevy on Monday, improving to an impressive 13-1-1 through 15 games. The club remains in a heated battle despite having just one regulation loss and one overtime setback on the season. Yemelyanov was held off the scoresheet in the win. He registered two shots on goal and logged 19:27 of ice time, but struggled in the faceoff circle, winning just 3 of 11 draws. He finished the night with a minus-1 rating.

Loko skated to a 3–1 victory over Nizhny Novgorod on Wednesday, powered in part by a slick second-period powerplay marker. With just 30 seconds left in the frame, Yemelyanov delivered a highlight-reel assist to extend Loko’s lead to 3–0. Moving from the net front to the left post to make himself a pass option, Yemelyanov corralled a pass, shifted from backhand to forehand, and threaded a pinpoint feed across the crease for a tap-in finish — a sequence that showcased vision, poise and precision.

Lokomotiv rolled to another win on Friday, dispatching Mamonty Ugry 4–2 in a confident showing. While the team found the back of the net with ease, forward Yemelyanov remained quiet on the scoresheet. He was held without a shot on goal, recorded a single blocked shot and one hit, but showed strength in the circle, winning 9 of 12 draws. As the season progresses, finding a rhythm offensively will be key for the young centerman to elevate his impact.

William Zellers, – University of North Dakota

North Dakota dropped its second straight contest Friday night, falling 5–2 to Clarkson in a game that exposed defensive lapses. Zellers provided a bright spot on the power play, ripping home his second goal of the season with a blistering shot from the right faceoff dot. The puck was off his stick in a flash, leaving the Clarkson netminder little chance. Despite the highlight-reel tally, Zellers finished a game-worst minus-3, with two shots on goal and 16:16 of ice time.

North Dakota flipped the script on Saturday, grinding out a 1–0 victory in the rematch to split the weekend series. While Zellers didn’t factor into the game’s lone goal, the forward was a constant presence in the offensive zone, leading all skaters with five shots on goal across 14:12 of ice time. Through six games, Zellers paces North Dakota in total shots with 20 and sits third in team scoring. The volume is there—now the challenge is converting chances into production as the season rolls on.

Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)

What a difference a year makes. Miami pushed its season-opening win streak to five games on Friday, edging Lindenwood 5–4 in overtime to stay perfect out of the gate. While the RedHawks found the scoresheet early and often, third-line winger Nassen was held without a point. Still, the sophomore contributed in other areas, registering three shots on goal, finishing plus-1, and logging 16:50 of ice time in the win

Miami continued its early-season surge on Saturday, edging Lindenwood 5–4 in overtime for the second consecutive night and pushing its unbeaten streak to six games. With the win, the RedHawks have already eclipsed last season’s win total, signaling a promising turnaround. It was a subdued outing for Nassen, who logged 14:33 of ice time but finished with a clean stat line—zero points, penalties, or shots on goal—as Miami leaned on its top scorers to secure the sweep.

James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College

Boston College endured a rough outing Friday night, falling 7–3 to Denver and slipping to 2-2-1 on the season. The Eagles struck first courtesy of Andre Gasseau, who netted his first of the year to open the scoring. Hagens added his third of the campaign midway through the third, cutting the deficit to 5–3 and extending his point streak to four games. Letourneau matched that streak with an assist, while Will Moore also chipped in with a helper in the loss.

Several Boston College skaters turned in mixed performances during Friday’s 7–3 loss to Denver. Hagens led the team with five shots on goal and went 8-for-16 in the faceoff circle, but finished a team-low minus-4 across 18:00 of ice time. Gasseau added three shots and logged 15:28, ending the night minus-3. Letourneau remained steady with an even rating, five shots, and a 9-for-15 mark on draws in 17:41. Moore was held without a shot and posted a minus-1 in 13:39, while Kostadinski recorded zeroes across the board in 8:54 of action.

Oskar Jellvik was sidelined for the fourth straight game Friday, a concerning trend for the senior forward whose injury-shortened campaign last year had already set the stage for a critical bounce-back season. With professional aspirations looming at year’s end, Jellvik’s start has been anything but ideal. The good news he has been skating and practiced on the weekend.

If you missed my article on Dean Letourneau last week, you can find it here.

Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota

Hendrickson continues to skate on the top line however; Minnesota fell 3-0 to Minnesota-Duluth Friday. Hendrickson had zeroes across the board with 14:28 time on ice.

Minnesota couldn’t reverse its fortunes in Saturday’s rematch, falling 4–1 to Minnesota-Duluth to close out a tough weekend. Forward Hendrickson picked up an assist on the Gophers’ lone goal, continuing to show flashes of his relentless motor and high-end compete level. He logged 14:40 of ice time, registered two shots on goal, and finished with an even rating. Through eight games, Hendrickson has tallied one goal and four assists—a solid start, but there’s room for growth in the scoring column, especially when skating alongside top-tier talent. His energy and tenacity remain assets, but converting chances will be key as the season progresses.

Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University

In non-conference action Tuesday night, Quinnipiac skated past Holy Cross 4-1 and improving to 4-4-4 on the season. Pelosi and Groenewold were held off the scoresheet, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. Pelosi registered 4 shots on goal, went 50% in the faceoff circle (4 for 8) and logged 17:44 of ice time. Groenewold matched him with four shots on goal and was second among defensemen with 21:01time on ice.

Quinnipiac slipped to 4–2–1 on the season after a 4–1 setback against Merrimack on Friday night. The Bobcats briefly pulled even in the first period when Pelosi netted his third of the year on the power play, when a puck bounced off him while screening the goaltender to make it 1–1. Pelosi finished the night minus-1 with one shot on goal, winning three of nine faceoffs while logging 16:30 of ice time. Groenewold was held off the scoresheet, also posting a minus-1 with one shot and 19:38 of ice time.

Quinnipiac responded on Saturday, blanking New Hampshire 2–0 to earn a split on the weekend. Pelosi delivered the decisive blow midway through the contest, charging down the slot and burying a loose puck that eluded a crowd of sticks for his fourth goal of the season. Pelosi finished the night with a plus-1 rating, four shots on goal, and went 4-for-10 in the faceoff circle over 19:20 of ice time. On the back end, Groenewold turned in a steady performance, also posting a plus-1 while logging 19:26. He continues to be a reliable presence on the blueline, averaging just over 20 minutes per game this season.

Ryan Walsh – Cornell University

Cornell finished out their exhibition schedule with a 5-4 win over the NTDP U-18’s on Saturday. Walsh finished with a goal and an assist in the win.

Now, the real games begin this week!

Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University

Season begins next week in Connecticut!

Jonathan Morello – Boston University

Boston University’s early-season skid continued Friday with an 8–4 loss to Connecticut, marking the Terriers’ third straight defeat. Forward Morello was held off the scoresheet for the third consecutive outing but turned in a steady performance, finishing even in plus/minus with one shot on goal. He went 5-for-11 in the faceoff circle and logged 13:01 of ice time in the setback.

Boston University halted its three-game slide on Saturday, downing the Huskies 3–1 in a bounce-back effort that showcased renewed defensive structure and timely scoring. Freshman center Morello anchored the fourth line, logging 12:45 of ice time while going 4-for-7 in the faceoff circle. Though he finished with zeroes across the stat sheet, his defensive polish continues to stand out—a trait that’s translated seamlessly from junior hockey to the NCAA level. Known for his offensive upside, Morello has yet to fully tap into his scoring potential at the collegiate level. Still, with poise beyond his years and a growing role in BU’s bottom six, there’s plenty of runway ahead for the freshman to find his stride

Philip Svedeback – Providence College

Providence moved to 1-2-1 on the season after settling for a 2–2 draw against St. Thomas on Friday night, with goaltender Philip Svedeback matching that mark in the crease. The netminder turned aside 24 of 26 shots, nudging his save percentage above the .900 mark. Despite generating 40 shots on goal, the Friars couldn’t muster enough offensive support to secure the win

Providence College bounced back in emphatic fashion Saturday, storming past St. Thomas with a 7–4 win after trailing 4–1 early. The Friars rattled off six unanswered goals to seal the comeback, sparked by a bold goaltending decision from head coach Nate Leaman. With 44 seconds left in the first period—most coaches would wait until intermission to make the change—Leaman pulled Svedeback after the senior allowed three goals on nine shots.

It was a tough outing for Svedeback, whose early-season numbers now sit at a 3.21 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage. Entering his senior campaign with pro aspirations, the margin for error is slim. His pedigree is slipping and finding consistency will be key if he hopes to earn a contract at season’s end.

Cooper Simpson

Youngstown slipped to 7-4-1 on the season after a 4–2 setback against Sioux City on Saturday, unable to generate enough offense to overcome a steady Musketeers effort. It was an unusually quiet night for forward Simpson, who was held off the scoresheet, registered just one shot on goal, and finished with a minus-2 rating. Despite the off night, Simpson remains tied for the USHL scoring lead—a testament to his early-season consistency and offensive impact. With the Phantoms looking to rebound, all eyes will be on Simpson to reignite his scoring touch.

It was a good bounce back game in the rematch as Youngstown took it 6-3 Sunday afternoon. However, Simpson did not find the scoresheet. He had 3 shots on goal and was a minus-1.

Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL

Shawinigan surged past Sherbrooke with a 7–4 win on Friday night, pulling away in the third period to seal the victory. Chandler played a key role in the go-ahead tally early in the final frame, picking up his seventh assist of the season. The centerman finished plus-1 with one shot on goal and went 6-for-13 in the faceoff circle.

Shawinigan’s offense stayed red-hot Saturday, erupting for seven goals in a dominant 7–0 shutout over Quebec. Chandler chipped in with another assist in the matinee matchup, bringing his total to six helpers over his last seven outings. The centerman fired three shots on goal, posted a plus-2 rating, and went 4-for-10 on draws—finishing below 50% on the weekend but still holding a solid 56.5% clip on the season. Despite the steady playmaking, Chandler remains goalless in his last 10 games.

Cole Spicer – Western Michigan

Western Michigan was blanked by Michigan 4-0 on Thursday but won the rematch Friday 5-2. Spicer did not play in either game.

Providence Bruins

Providence 5 – Springfield 3

Riley Tufte powered the Providence Bruins to a 5–3 victory over Springfield on Friday night, extending their perfect start to a franchise-best five straight wins. The veteran forward was electric, notching a goal and three assists to pace the Bruins’ offense and etch his name into the club’s early-season history.

It took less than two minutes for the Bruins to strike. At 1:57 of the opening frame, Tufte threaded a pass to Brett Harrison, whose touch redirected to Dans Locmelis. The rookie forward made no mistake, slipping a low shot under the pad to give Providence the early edge. The goal stood as the lone tally of a tightly contested first period

Tufte doubled Providence’s lead early in the second, slipping a Harrison feed through the five-hole just 3:04 into the period. The Bruins kept pressing, and with 7:47 left in the frame, Patrick Brown capitalized on a loose puck in front, chipping it home for a 3–0 advantage. Tufte and Billy Sweezey picked up the helpers on the play. Springfield finally broke through with 2:24 remaining, trimming the deficit to 3–1 heading into the second intermission.

Springfield came out flying in the third, striking twice in the opening 2:36 to erase a three-goal deficit and knot the game at 3–3. But with the clock winding down, Fabian Lysell delivered the dagger. The speedy winger chipped the puck out of his own zone, won a foot race, and beat the Springfield netminder five-hole with just 1:47 remaining to reclaim the lead. Patrick Brown sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final seconds, capping a dramatic finish to Providence’s fifth straight victory.

Michael DiPietro stopped 20 of 23 shots to improve to 3-0-0 on the season.

Providence 4 – Bridgeport 1

Georgii Merkulov continued his hot streak Sunday afternoon, netting two goals to lead the Providence Bruins to a 4–1 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders. The win marks Providence’s sixth in a row, as the club maintains its early-season momentum with another strong offensive showing.

Bridgeport jumped out to a quick 1–0 lead Sunday afternoon, but Providence wasted little time responding. Less than five minutes later, while on the man advantage, Matej Blumel slid a crisp pass to Matthew Poitras just inside the Islanders’ blue line. Poitras wasted no time, threading a feed to Merkulov, who buried the puck just inside the post to level the score.

The deadlock held until the 8:26 mark of the second period, when Providence finally broke through. Brown unleashed a wrist shot that ricocheted off the back glass, landing perfectly for Brett Harrison, who was stationed near the post and ready. Harrison made no mistake, burying the rebound for his first goal of the season. Tufte, continuing his strong stretch of play, picked up the secondary assist on the sequence, adding to his growing point total. The goal gave Providence the momentum it needed to take control of the game.

Providence wasted no time building momentum in the final frame, as Merkulov netted his second goal of the game just 32 seconds into the third period to push the lead to 3–1. Merkulov pounced on a rebound at the top of the crease and deftly flipped it home for his fourth of the season. Blumel picked up his second assist of the afternoon on the play, continuing his strong offensive showing as the Bruins tightened their grip on the contest.

Frederic Brunet closed out the scoring with an empty net goal, his second of the season with the lone assist going to Sweezey. Simon Zajicek stopped 23 of 24 shots to improve to 3-0-0 on the season.

Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.

Coming up this week:

Dean Letourneau Is Challenging the Fast-Food Mentality That’s Creeping into Player Development

Dean Letourneau of the Boston College Eagles. Photo by Getty Images.

Increasingly, society is shifting more and more toward a fast-paced, instant-gratification mindset—where immediacy is expected, and any delay is perceived as a flaw. A fast-food mentality.

In the world of player development, there’s no such thing as a straight line. Growth is unpredictable, progress uneven, and timelines vary from one athlete to the next. Expecting uniformity is a mistake — not every player hits their stride at the same pace, and that’s exactly how it should be.

The Bruins made a calculated splash at the 2024 NHL Draft, selecting forward Dean Letourneau with the 25th overall pick. The selection came via a trade with the Ottawa Senators that sent veteran netminder Linus Ullmark to the Canadian capital in exchange for the first-round pick and center/winger Mark Kastelic.

In a twist of fate, Letourneau — who grew up a Senators fan — now finds himself donning the Spoked-B after being selected with Ottawa’s former pick. For Bruins brass, the move was strategic; for Letourneau, it’s a full-circle moment with a dash of irony.

Boston’s front office had been vocal about its desire to re-enter the first round, and some insiders had told me that Letourneau was high on their radar. The pick confirms those suspicions: the Bruins had their sights set on the towering prospect, and have hinted as much.

Initially slated to play the 2024–25 campaign in the USHL before joining Boston College—where he had already committed—Letourneau’s development path took an early turn just prior to his first-round selection.

With Will Smith heading to the NHL, Boston College approached Letourneau about accelerating his timeline and joining the program a year ahead of schedule. Whether that move was beneficial is a topic for analysis below.

Before the 2024–25 season began, I noted—both here and across multiple podcasts—that statistics shouldn’t be the primary focus in Letourneau’s freshman campaign. The transition from St. Andrew’s College to NCAA competition represents a significant leap, one that’s often underestimated by most observers.

After posting just three assists (no goals) across 36 games last season at BC, Letourneau faced criticism from large segments of the fanbase, with some prematurely labeling him a bust. At the time, I cautioned against placing too much weight on early production, emphasizing that the true evaluation would begin this season.

The pushback was swift, with many fans unwilling to entertain that perspective. Criticism toward GM Don Sweeney and the Bruins’ scouting department intensified, as frustration over the pick continued to mount.

Just four games into the season, early criticism surrounding Letourneau has quieted—replaced by a wave of growing enthusiasm – maybe too much. With two goals and two assists to open the campaign, it’s been an encouraging start. Still, it’s important to keep expectations in check as the season unfolds.

Patience remains key when evaluating Letourneau’s trajectory. Long viewed as a high-upside, long-term project, his blend of size and skill has always been evident. I first saw him in an exhibition matchup between St. Andrew’s College and the St. Mary’s Lincolns—then part of the GOJHL, a Junior B circuit. Even against older competition, Letourneau’s size stood out, and his skill flashes were apparent, though it wasn’t a dominant performance. The tools were there; the timeline was always expected to be gradual.

While I don’t view statistics as the sole measure of progress, I won’t dismiss them entirely. My focus has always leaned toward tracking developmental strides—trusting that the numbers will follow. And in Letourneau’s case, the growth is undeniable.

This season, we’re seeing a more assertive version of the player—one skating with noticeable confidence and purpose. After adding muscle in the offseason, he’s leveraging that added strength more consistently than he did a year ago. The coaching staff’s trust in him continues to grow, building on last season’s praise for his work ethic and coachability. The result: a player evolving into a reliable presence with impact at both ends of the ice.

Heading into the season, my expectations for Letourneau were modest—projected for a respectable 7 goals and 11 assists, numbers that fans would have gladly embraced. Fast forward to today, and he’s tracking toward an eye-catching 18 goals and 18 assists. Whether that pace holds remains to be seen, but the bigger story is his continued growth. The focus, for now, should be on his development curve rather than the stat line. Patience remains key as he builds on the foundation laid last season.

So, was college the right choice?

While Letourneau decided on college before the Bruins drafted him, they could have steered him in a different direction. They’ve done it with previous draft picks. Sweeney said “We talked a little bit about what would be the best place in terms of Dean and in hindsight I think we all would have agreed that maybe another year of the USHL a full year of the USHL, would have been the best path.” So, those discussions took place internally.

I have another perspective worth considering: the adversity Letourneau faced last season may have been the catalyst for his early success this year. From Sweeney to Director of Player Development Adam McQuaid to Boston College Head Coach Greg Brown, the message has been consistent—Letourneau’s commitment, both during the season and throughout the offseason, hasn’t gone unnoticed. That foundation of hard work is now translating into results.

In a recent interview with Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com, Letourneau shared how he leaned on his parents during a challenging stretch, crediting them for helping him navigate the mental health side of the game. Their support was instrumental in helping him process the adversity and emerge stronger.

For now, the critics have quieted—but the silence may be temporary. Should Letourneau hit a three- or four-game skid without a point, expect the familiar voices to resurface. After nearly six decades of watching this game, one truth remains: a very small, but vocal minority of fans would rather be proven right than see a player succeed. Their skepticism isn’t rooted in performance—it’s rooted in pride. To be clear, that group is tiny. But their presence is a reminder of how quickly narratives can shift in this sport.

Anyone who’s driven the Trans-Canada Highway through Saskatchewan knows the terrain — flat, boring, and nothing to look at. But hockey development? That’s more akin to the Alberta stretch: winding through mountains, hills, and plunging into valleys. It’s a landscape of highs and lows, where progress rarely follows a straight line.

If you’re chasing instant gratification, grab a Big Mac or a Whopper. But Dean Letourneau? He’s more of a slow-smoked brisket—built with patience, layered with depth, and worth every minute of the wait.

Boston Bruins Monday Morning Prospect Update Week Ending: October 19, 2025

Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – U20 Nationell

Vaxjo defeated Rogle BK 3-2 on Wednesday, still with no sign of Pettersson. They have 9 days off until their next game.

Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell

Blanar’s pointless streak reached 5 games as HV71 were blanked by Sodertalje SK 2-0 on Saturday. It is the longest draught of the season for any of the Bruins’ prospects to date.

Blanar left Sunday’s game, 4-2 loss to Vasteras IK, early in the first with the flu.

Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL

Loko returned to form with a decisive 4-0 win over JHC Dynamo, showing strong team structure and execution. Yemelyanov contributed an assist on the opening goal, initiating the sequence with a shot from the right circle and quickly recovering his own rebound. The puck deflected in off a teammate, but the play was driven by Yemelyanov’s awareness and second-effort mentality. Through 13 games, he’s posted 7 goals and 6 assists — a productive start that reflects both scoring touch and play-driving ability.

In Wednesday’s rematch, Loko secured a second consecutive shutout with a 3–0 victory. Yemelyanov continued to demonstrate high-end offensive vision, initiating the sequence with a puck retrieval in the right corner. He navigated behind the cage, scanning options before delivering a precise feed into the high slot to an oncoming teammate. Though the initial shot was denied, Yemelyanov’s partner recovered the rebound and finished. The sequence marked his seventh assist of the campaign, reinforcing his profile as a dual-threat playmaker.

William Zellers, – University of North Dakota

North Dakota extended their season-opening win streak to three with a 5–2 decision over Beckett Hendrickson and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday. Freshman forward Zellers, skating in a top-six role on the second line, added a primary assist to bring his early-season totals to 1 goal and 2 assists. He logged 19:20 of ice time, registered four shots on goal, and finished plus-1—an encouraging all-situations showing. Through three games, Zellers is now tied for third in team scoring, signaling early offensive upside and trust from the coaching staff in key minutes.

Minnesota flipped the script on Saturday, cruising to a 5–1 win in the rematch. Zellers was held off the scoresheet but led the charge with a game-high four shots on goal, finishing the night with a minus-1 rating but they just couldn’t muster any offense.

Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)

Miami had an off week last week.

James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College

Moore remained in a second-line role on Friday, filling in for the injured Oskar Jellvik during Boston College’s 5–1 win over RPI. While he didn’t factor into the scoresheet, Moore generated two shots on goal and logged 10:59 of ice time, continuing to gain reps in a middle-six capacity. Meanwhile, Gasseau appears to be struggling in the absence of his long-time wing partner at BC, going pointless for the third straight outing. He finished plus-1, won 9 of 14 faceoffs, and saw 10:05 of ice time, though he failed to register a shot—an uncharacteristic dip in offensive activity for the veteran forward.

Kostadinski notched his first NCAA point with an assist on the game-winning goal early in the second period, breaking a 1–1 deadlock and contributing to a key momentum shift. The rangy blueliner continues to acclimate to the North American game, with his ice time trending upward—he logged 10:40 in this outing while skating as the sixth defenseman. He finished plus-2, added a shot on goal, and showed encouraging signs of situational awareness and transitional support. The performance reflects steady integration into the lineup and growing comfort with the pace and style.

All eyes were on Dean Letourneau and James Hagens, and Letourneau delivered his most complete performance to date. The towering forward assisted on the game-winning goal with a high-IQ play behind the net, using his extended reach to thread a pass through to the far side—an elite-level read under pressure. Later, he showcased his spatial awareness and finishing touch, staying active in the slot and positioning himself inside the defensive triangle. When the puck arrived, Letourneau dropped to one knee and snapped home his second goal of the season, a textbook one-touch release. He finished plus-2 with three shots on goal, went 3-for-8 on draws, and logged 9:14 of ice time—maximizing impact in limited deployment.

Hagens opened his goal-scoring account with a pair of tallies, bookending the game with the first and final markers. His opening goal came off a high-motor sequence—after disrupting a clearing attempt along the right wall, Hagens transitioned quickly to the right faceoff dot and released a deceptive wrister through traffic to beat the netminder. Later, he capitalized on a turnover, driving the middle lane with pace and timing his route perfectly. The feed hit him in stride, and Hagens finished cleanly into an open net. He led all skaters with seven shots on goal, finished plus-2, went 6-for-13 on draws, and logged 10:55 of ice time—an efficient, high-impact outing that showcased his offensive instincts and puck-tracking ability.

Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota

As mentioned above, Minnesota dropped a 5–2 decision to North Dakota on Friday, but the game marked another step forward in Beckett Hendrickson’s usage trajectory. After opening the season on the third line and earning a bump to the second unit, Hendrickson saw time on the top line, signaling growing trust from the coaching staff. While the promotion didn’t translate to offensive production, he logged 14:06 of ice time, recorded two shots on goal, and finished minus-1. The outing reflects continued evaluation in high-leverage minutes as Hendrickson adjusts to elevated competition and expanded responsibilities.

Minnesota bounced back with a commanding 5–1 victory on Saturday. Hendrickson, still on the top line, set up the fourth goal to help put the game out of reach. He posted a plus-3 rating and fired two shots on goal, but it was his relentless energy that stirred chaos and ignited momentum whenever the Gophers needed a lift.

Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac clawed back from a 3–0 deficit to earn a 4–4 draw against Maine on Friday, with key contributions from emerging talent. Groenewold netted his first goal of the season to tie the game, capitalizing on a rebound near the bottom of the left faceoff circle and finishing from a near-impossible angle—his lone shot of the night. He logged 23:10 of ice time and finished plus-1, continuing to earn heavy usage in all situations. Pelosi picked up an assist on the play, adding three shots on goal and going 4-for-9 on faceoffs while skating 15:47. Both players showed poise and situational awareness in a high-pressure comeback effort. The Bruins got a close look at Albin Boija for Maine – one of the top free agent goaltenders in the NCAA.

Quinnipiac shut out Maine 4–0 on Saturday, with both Groenewold and Pelosi chipping in an assist to extend their point streaks to three games apiece. Pelosi logged 15:07 of ice time, finishing plus-1 with one shot on goal, while Groenewold matched the stat line with a plus-1 rating, one shot, and 16:51 of ice time.

Ryan Walsh – Cornell University

Cornel had an exhibition game against Czech University Selects on Friday and won 7-2. Walsh did not play.

Cornell will play an exhibition game against the NTDP Under-18 on Saturday before opening their season October 31.

Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University

Harvard topped Northeastern 4–2 in Saturday’s exhibition matchup. Langenbrunner was not in the lineup.

Jonathan Morello – Boston University

BU lost a 4-2 decision to Michigan State on Friday to fall to 2-1-1. Morello had zeroes across the board and was 3 for 7 on the dot with 15:12 time on ice and continuing to skate on the fourth line.

BU came up short in Saturday’s rematch, falling 4–3 in overtime. Morello was held off the scoresheet and finished minus-1 with one shot on goal, logging a season-low 9:43 of ice time.

Philip Svedeback – Providence College

Svedeback picked up his first win of the season on Saturday, backstopping Providence to a 5–1 victory over RPI. He turned aside 28 of 29 shots, many of them from high-danger areas, delivering a composed and timely performance. With the first one in the books, he’ll look to build momentum moving forward.

Cooper Simpson

Youngstown rolled past the NTDP with a 7–3 win on Friday, and Cooper Simpson continued his shift from finisher to facilitator, racking up three assists to bring his season total to nine. Though he finished minus-1 with two shots on goal, Simpson’s playmaking instincts were on full display. Entering the season, I had him pegged for 31 goals—an estimate many believed he’d eclipse, with some even projecting he could challenge Will Zellers’ mark of 44. Through the early stretch, Simpson sits at three goals, projecting to 21 over a full campaign. But the real story is his assist pace: originally forecasted for 22, he’s now tracking toward a staggering 66, signaling a notable evolution in his offensive profile and value as a dual-threat contributor.

Simpson rediscovered his scoring touch on Saturday as Youngstown downed Green Bay 4–2. Trailing 1–0 late in the first, he set up the equalizer to close out the period, then took over offensively with back-to-back goals to give the Phantoms a 3–1 lead. His first came on the power play from the top of the right circle, where he waited for the screen and snapped a shot far side over the goalie’s shoulder. His second was another wrister, this time from the right dot, slipping under the netminder’s arm. Simpson now sits at 5 goals and 10 assists through 10 games.

Simpson’s three-game point streak (3G, 5A) came to a halt Sunday as Youngstown fell 5–1 to Green Bay, despite holding a 38–22 edge in shots. The forward registered four shots on goal but finished minus-2 in the loss.

Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL

Chandler extended his assist streak to three consecutive games, factoring into Shawinigan’s overtime winner in a 3–2 decision on Canadian Thanksgiving. The play began with Chandler disrupting a 3-on-3 rush in the defensive zone, then transitioning quickly up ice before distributing at the offensive blue line for the eventual finish. His ability to read and react under pressure was evident, showcasing both defensive anticipation and transition pace. He finished the game with a plus-1 rating, registered two shots on goal, and went 11-for-14 on draws

Shawinigan dropped a 3–2 decision to Gatineau in a shootout on Friday, but Chandler continued his productive stretch with an assist on the game’s opening goal—his fourth consecutive outing with a helper. The play came six minutes into the second period, where Chandler executed a clean setup to initiate the scoring. He finished plus-1, registered one shot on goal, and went 8-for-15 on faceoffs, reinforcing his consistency in both offensive generation and puck possession. The streak highlights Chandler’s growing reliability as a driving center with situational versatility.

Chandler saw his four-game point streak come to an end Sunday as Blainville-Boisbriand outpaced his club in an 8–5 shootout. The forward was held off the scoresheet, finishing minus-4 with two shots on goal and winning 9 of 17 faceoffs.

Cole Spicer – Western Michigan

Western Michigan swept the weekend series against UMass-Lowell, edging out a 2–1 win on Friday before dominating Saturday’s matchup 6–0. Spicer did not play in either game.

Providence Bruins

Providence 7 Bridgeport 3

The Providence Bruins skated to a 7–3 win over the Bridgeport Islanders on Friday, powered by multi-goal efforts from Alex Steeves and Riley Tufte. Georgii Merkulov and Matej Blumel each chipped in with a pair of assists, helping pace a balanced offensive attack.

Patrick Brown won a clean offensive zone draw back to Billy Sweezey, who fired a purposeful shot on net. The initial attempt was turned aside, but Riley Tufte jumped on the rebound in the slot and buried it to give the Providence Bruins a 1–0 lead.

Just seven seconds into the power play, the Providence Bruins extended their lead to 2–0. Matthew Poitras won the draw cleanly, and all five skaters touched the puck in a crisp sequence that ended with Steeves redirecting a Merkulov pass for his first goal of the night.

Bridgeport cut the deficit to one, but Brown restored the two-goal cushion for Providence, capitalizing on a loose puck at the edge of the crease and finishing with a backhand tally. Tufte and Brett Harrison picked up the assists on the play.

For the second time in the game, the Providence Bruins capitalized just seven seconds into a power play to extend their lead to 4–1. Poitras won the draw cleanly, and once again, all five skaters touched the puck in a quick clean sequence that ended with Steeves finishing at the post off a cross-crease feed from Merkulov. Blumel was credited with the secondary assist.

Tufte closed out the scoring with assists going to Dans Locmelis and Fabian Lysell. Michael DiPietro stopped 27 of 30 shots he faced for his second win in as many games.

Providence 5 Hartford 2

Simon Zajicek stopped 31 of 33 shots to lead Providence to a 5-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday. The Bruins were outshot 33-22.

Jonathan Aspirot opened the scoring for Providence just 3:39 into the game, blasting home a one-timer from the point to make it 1–0. Lysell and Poitras picked up the helpers on Aspirot’s first goal of the season

Hartford pulled even with 12:39 left in the first period, but just over five minutes later, Brown threaded a pass to Tufte at the right post, where he tucked it just inside to restore the lead. Victor Soderstrom picked up the secondary assist on the play.

Just 39 seconds later, Blumel pushed the puck ahead and sprung Locmelis on a breakaway. Locmelis made no mistake, ripping a pinpoint wrist shot blocker side to stretch the Bruins’ lead to two. The goal marked his first of the season, with Aspirot picking up the secondary assist.

Just 50 seconds into the second period, Sweezey tallied his first goal of the season. Taking a pass at the right point, he charged down the boards, cut hard to the net, and slipped the puck under the goalie’s pads to make it 4–1. Tufte and Brown picked up the assists on the play.

Merkulov would close out the Providence scoring with his second of the season when he ripped a turnaround shot off a defender and into the net.

Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.

Coming up this week:

Is it to Early to Revisit the Brandon Carlo Trade?

Fraser Minten of the Boston Bruins. Photo by Getty Images

Absolutely—it’s a yes. But that hasn’t stopped the fanbase from buzzing since the very first puck drop in exhibition. X (formerly Twitter) has been ablaze with questions, hot takes, and passionate debates from both fanbases, proving once again that hockey fans never miss a beat.

At last season’s trade deadline, the Bruins made waves by sending Brandon Carlo to their divisional rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Coming back to Boston: promising forward Fraser Minten, a conditional first-rounder in the 2026 NHL Draft (top-five protected), and a fourth-round pick in 2025 that turned into Vashek Blanar. The Bruins also retained 15% of Carlo’s contract, adding a bit of cap finesse to the deal.

Plenty of fans feel Minten alone made the trade worthwhile—and tossing in a first-round pick? That had Bruins GM Don Sweeney looking like a mastermind. But let’s not forget: Blanar was part of the package too. Sure, it might be a while before we know if he moves the needle, but after reading hundreds of comments from Bruins’ development camp this summer, you’ve got to wonder… how did he slip off the fan’s radar so fast?

Minten has delivered exactly what was promised—and then some. He’s been as advertised and Sweeney hasn’t been shy about giving credit where it’s due, praising his scouting staff for doing the legwork and flagging Minten early. Just last week, Sweeney revealed they had their sights set on him back in his draft year and fully intended to pick him in 2022… they just couldn’t make it happen. Turns out, the interest ran deeper than fans might’ve realized.

Back in 2022, the Leafs grabbed Minten with the 38th overall pick, while the Bruins had to wait until No. 54 to make their move—selecting Matthew Poitras. Two picks, two promising paths, and plenty of intrigue ever since. And now, possibly future teammates.

We’re only a handful of preseason games and four regular season tilts into Minten’s Bruins journey—so yes, it’s a small sample size. But even at this early stage, he looks the part. And if everything breaks right? Boston might’ve just landed their two-way third-line center for the next decade-plus.

That alone may have been enough value for Carlo, especially the way many fans underappreciated Carlo in Boston. But we all know that at trade deadline teams, in this case the Leafs, usually overpay to make a playoff run.

As mentioned, the Bruins also picked up a top-5 protected first-rounder in the deal. Sure, no one’s penciling the Leafs in as a bottom-five team this season—but as every fan knows, the real story unfolds on the ice, not on paper.

If that scenario plays out, the pick shifts to a top-10 protected selection in 2027. But here’s the twist: if it ends up transferring to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the Scott Laughton trade, it turns into an unprotected first-rounder in 2028. High stakes, long tail.

If that pick lands in 2026—and for the record, I think it will—the Bruins are in prime position to snag a talented player from what’s shaping up to be a deep, skill-rich draft class. As long as they stay true to last year’s blueprint of prioritizing pure talent over anything else, fans have every reason to be excited.

However, draft picks are never a sure thing—some prospects fade, others never get their shot. With their own first-rounder still in hand, the Bruins have the flexibility to treat the Leafs’ pick as a trade chip if the right opportunity comes along. And with two first-rounders lined up again in 2027, that kind of leverage matters. It doesn’t take away from the value they got in the Carlo deal—it just adds another layer of possibility.

And then there’s Blanar—the name that had everyone asking, “Wait, who?” Even the Bruins didn’t have a photo ready when they announced the pick. Talk about flying under the radar.

Blanar turned heads at Development Camp this summer—there’s no denying that. But the numbers paint a tough road ahead; the odds of him cracking an NHL lineup are slim. He’s still raw, still learning, yet there’s something undeniably intriguing about his skillset. It’ll take time—maybe a few years—but the curiosity around whether he can make a real impact began in July, but since forgotten.

The Bruins undeniably landed some major assets in the deal. Still, there’s uncertainty around what that first-round pick or Blanar will become—and even Minten’s future remains unclear. But if the Leafs end up winning a Stanley Cup with Carlo playing a pivotal role, wouldn’t that make the trade worthwhile from Toronto’s perspective?

Boston Bruins Monday Morning Prospect Update Week Ending: October 12, 2025

Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – J20 Nationell

Pettersson missed his sixth consecutive game in Vaxjo’s 4-2 win over Frolunda on Saturday.

Vashek Blanar – HV71 – J20 Nationell

HV71 dropped a 4–2 decision to Farjestad BK on Saturday. Blanar, skating on the top defensive pair, was held without a point and finished minus-1 while logging 21:21 of ice time.

They bounced back with a 5–4 win over Orebro HK on Sunday, but Blanar’s offensive dry spell continued—he’s now gone five straight games without a point. He did pick up a pair of penalties (roughing and holding) while logging top-pair minutes. The silver lining? His defensive game is trending in the right direction, and that extra focus might be why the offense has cooled off. No panic—he’s putting in the work, and the points will come.

Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL

Last week, I noted that Yemelyanov tends to produce in bursts and needs to find more consistency. On Thursday, he snapped a two-game drought in style, posting a goal and two assists as Loko downed SKA 4–2. He was active throughout, finishing with six shots on goal, a 10-for-20 mark on faceoffs, one blocked shot, and three hits in 18:05 of ice time. That brings his season total to seven goals and five assists through 11 games. Loko remains unbeaten in regulation, improving to 10-0-1.

Loko suffered their first regulation loss of the season on Sunday, falling 4–1 to SKA-1946. Yemelyanov was held off the scoresheet but put up two shots on goal, went 8-for-15 on faceoffs, and logged 16:28 of ice time with a minus-1 rating. There’s been some online chatter questioning his defensive game, but honestly, that feels off—he’s holding his own and showing steady growth in all three zones.

William Zellers, – University of North Dakota

North Dakota opened its season with a convincing 6–2 win over St. Thomas. Zellers lined up on the second-line right wing, finishing with a plus-1 rating, two shots on goal, and 17:11 of ice time. He was held off the scoresheet in the victory.

North Dakota wrapped up the weekend with a 5–2 win on Sunday to complete the sweep—and it was a milestone night for Zellers. He netted his first NCAA goal in style, cruising down the slot untouched and burying a feed from the right side into a wide-open cage. He also added an assist, finished plus-1, and fired three shots on goal in 15:09 of ice time. Big moment for the freshman, and fans should be fired up about what’s to come.

Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)

Miami extended its perfect start to the season on Friday, securing a third consecutive win with a 5–3 triumph over RPI. Nassen remained on the third line left wing and was held off the scoresheet. He finished the night with a minus-1 rating, no shots on goal, and logged 16:13 of ice time.

If you had Miami starting the season 4–0, go ahead and raise your hand—because that’s exactly where they stand after blanking RPI 5–0 in a dominant showing. Nassen chipped in with an assist, finished plus-1, and added one shot on goal in 15:27 of ice time while continuing to anchor the third line. He’s now just one helper shy of matching his total from all of last season (4 in 34 games). Safe to say, he’s off to a promising start

Miami has an off week this week.

James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College

Thursday marked the first of a back-to-back set between Boston College and Minnesota, with BC skating away with a 3–1 victory. Letourneau was initially credited with an assist on the opening goal, though that point is likely to be rescinded, if it hasn’t already. Regardless, he made his presence felt on the shift and remained active throughout the contest. He finished with a plus-1 rating, fired five shots on goal, went 1-for-6 on faceoffs, and logged 15:20 of ice time.

With Oskar Jellvik out of the lineup, Will Moore stepped into his spot and made the most of the opportunity, netting his first NCAA goal. It wasn’t the usual Moore finish—this time he drove to the crease, screened the goaltender, and deflected a shot home. Moore registered three shots on goal, finished plus-1, and logged 13:25 of ice time

Minnesota kept James Hagens under tight wraps all night, shadowing him closely and limiting his usual impact. Still, he managed to pick up an assist on the empty-netter. Hagens finished plus-2, recorded four shots on goal, went 7-for-17 on faceoffs, and logged 19:16 of ice time.

After a three-assist performance in the season opener, it was a quieter outing for Gasseau, who finished minus-1 with an even 8-for-16 mark on faceoffs and 15:45 of ice time. Kostadinski, making his NCAA debut, appeared unsettled throughout the night. He recorded no points, shots, or notable stats in 7:27 of ice time—a performance that may well be chalked up to first-game nerves.

Friday night’s contest officially ended in a 2–2 draw, with BC taking the shootout in what amounted to a formality. For Letourneau, it was arguably the most impactful performance of his NCAA career to date. He netted the game-tying goal—his first collegiate tally—with a pure shooter’s finish from the faceoff dot that rang bar down. Beyond the goal, he brought a physical edge in open ice and along the boards, consistently asserting himself throughout the game. It was his lone shot on goal in 13:59 of ice time, and he went 4-for-9 on faceoffs. A performance like this could be a turning point in his confidence.

Moore once again filled in for Jellvik on the second-line left wing, finishing with a clean stat line in 15:37 of ice time. Gasseau was held without a point but registered one shot on goal and went 16-for-23 on faceoffs while logging 22:48 in ice time. Kostadinski led all Bruins prospects with two shots on goal and showed improved poise, though he saw limited action with just 8:19 of ice time.

Hagens recorded an assist, fired one shot on goal, and went 9-for-20 on faceoffs while logging 24:12 of ice time. Still adjusting to the spotlight as BC’s go-to forward, he’s working through the added attention from opposing teams. The stride will come—there’s no concern here.

Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota

As noted, Minnesota dropped a 3–1 decision to Boston College on Thursday. Hendrickson earned a well-deserved promotion to the second-line left wing and made the most of it. He was a constant presence on the forecheck, staying engaged around the puck and working to generate offense. His efforts paid off with an assist on the Gophers’ only goal of the night.

Friday’s rematch proved even tighter, with the teams skating to a 2–2 draw before BC claimed the shootout. Hendrickson remained on the second line and was held off the scoresheet, but he fired four shots on goal, posted a minus-1 rating, and ranked third among forwards with 19:28 of ice time. His relentless motor and high-energy game continue to make him a standout presence on the ice.

Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University

After a statement win over Boston College to kick off the season, Quinnipiac fell 2–1 to Alaska on Friday in a non-conference tilt, despite controlling play and outshooting the Nanooks 34–20. Pelosi centered the second line and finished with two shots on goal, a 5-for-9 mark on faceoffs, and 19:07 of ice time. Groenewold, skating on the second defensive pair, also went without a point, registering three shots and logging 18:25.

Quinnipiac got back in the win column Saturday with a convincing 7–2 thumping of Notre Dame. Pelosi buried his second of the season to make it 4–1 in the second, finishing off a classic net drive with a slick feed from behind the cage. Groenewold picked up his first point of the year with the assist on the play. Pelosi wrapped up the night plus-2 with three shots on goal, a 6-for-13 mark on faceoffs, and 18:56 of ice time. Groenewold was rock-solid as well—plus-3 with three shots and 19:56 logged.

Ryan Walsh – Cornell University

First game is October 31.

Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University

First game is October 31.

Jonathan Morello – Boston University

BU pushed its record to 2–0 on the season with a 6–2 win over Colgate on Friday. Morello notched his first points of the campaign, assisting on BU’s second goal and later sealing the game with a short-handed empty-netter. He centered the fourth line for the second straight outing, finishing plus-2 with two shots on goal, a 2-for-4 mark on faceoffs, and 13:45 of ice time.

Saturday’s rematch was a tighter affair, ending in a 2–2 draw before BU took the shootout. Morello was credited with an assist on the game-tying goal—though if we’re being honest, it looked unassisted to me (but hey, I’m not the scorekeeper!). Either way, he finished with the helper, added one shot on goal, went plus-1, and won 8 of 15 faceoffs while centering the fourth line. Solid effort all around

Philip Svedeback – Providence College

Providence College lost their season opener by a score of 5-1 to Michigan. They were completely outplayed and outshot 35-20. Not much Svedeback could do in this game.

Back-to-back losses definitely weren’t the way Providence—or Svedeback—imagined kicking off the season. After falling 3–1 to Michigan in Saturday’s rematch, PC finds itself in an early hole. To be fair, the team gave Svedeback a lot more support than they did on Friday, but it still wasn’t enough to flip the result. He turned aside 22 of 25 shots and kept them in it, but the offense couldn’t break through

Cooper Simpson – Youngstown – USHL

Youngstown fell 5–2 to Cedar Rapids on Friday in the first half of a back-to-back set. Simpson was held off the scoresheet, finishing minus-3 with three shots on goal and 18:27 of ice time. It was a tough outing for Youngstown, who were outplayed and outshot 32–18.

Youngstown flipped the script in Saturday’s rematch, skating away with a 5–3 win. It was a much stronger showing across the board—and Simpson made the most of it. He picked up a goal and an assist on the game-winner, led all skaters with five shots on goal, and was buzzing all night. With 15 seconds left, he did take his second 10-minute misconduct of the young season, but overall, it was a big bounce-back performance.

Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL

Shawinigan rolled past Gatineau 7–3 on Friday night, improving to 3-2-1-1 on the season. Chandler picked up his fifth assist of the year on Shawinigan’s sixth goal, finishing plus-1 with three shots on goal. He went 8-for-11 on faceoffs and logged 17:02 of ice time.

Cole Spicer – Western Michigan

Western Michigan lost their season opener to Ferris State 3-2 on Thursday. Cole Spicer did not dress.

WM took the rematch Friday 6-4. Once again, Spicer did not play.

Providence Bruins

What a way to kick off the season! Matej Blumel was the hero in overtime, burying the game-winner and adding an assist as the Providence Bruins edged Bridgeport 3–2 in their opener Saturday night at. Georgii Merkulov was buzzing with a goal and two helpers, while Frederic Brunet chipped in with a goal and an assist from the blue line. Victor Soderstrom added two assists of his own, and rookie netminder Simon Zajicek stood tall with 23 saves to earn his first AHL win in his debut start.

Bridgeport came out flying, grabbing a 2–0 lead before the halfway mark of the first period—but Providence wasn’t about to back down. On the power play, Blumel slid a slick pass to Merkulov at the top of the crease, and he made no mistake, flipping it under the goalie’s arm to cut the deficit to 2–1 with 7:35 left in the frame. Soderstrom picked up the secondary assist on the play. The comeback was officially on.

Soderstrom made a slick play from the right circle, threading a pass to Brunet at the far post, and Brunet didn’t miss—redirecting it home to tie things up at 2–2 with 13:38 left in the second. Merkulov picked up his second assist of the night on the play. The momentum had shifted.

Brunet kicked off the rush with a smooth drop pass to Merkulov, who quickly slid it over to Blumel in the right circle—and Blumel made no mistake, ripping a one-timer inside the near post to seal the win just 1:04 into overtime. What a finish for the P-Bruins.

What a night for Providence’s top line on Sunday! Fabian Lysell lit the lamp three times and added an assist for a four-point outing, while Alex Steeves chipped in a goal and three helpers of his own. Matthew Poitras was the setup man all game long, racking up four assists. That trio was firing on all cylinders, powering the P-Bruins to a 6–3 win over the Charlotte Checkers.

Lysell scored just 1:14 into the game after Poitras sent him in all alone with a key play at the Providence blue line. Steeves had the secondary helper.

Charlotte answered back with two quick goals to grab the lead, but Blumel wasn’t having it. He charged down the slot and let a wrister fly, beating the goalie clean with 11:47 left in the second to tie things up. Merkulov and Steeves picked up the assists on the play, and just like that, momentum swung back to the P-Bruins.

However, Charlotte grabbed the lead again with 6:23 left in the second, but Patrick Brown had the perfect response. Just 1:46 later, he pounced on a juicy rebound from a Lysell shot and buried it to tie things up. Dans Locmelis picked up the secondary assist, and the P-Bruins were right back in it.

Just 4:55 into the third, Lysell gave Providence the edge by tipping home a Jonathan Aspirot point shot to make it 4–3. Poitras picked up the secondary assist, and the momentum kept rolling. With 3:37 left, Lysell completed the hat trick in style—taking a drop pass from Poitras in the slot and snapping it past the blocker to stretch the lead to 5–3. Steeves iced it with an empty-netter, with Poitras grabbing his fourth assist of the night. The line of Steeves – Poitras – Lysell was cooking all night.

Michael DiPietro stopped 34 of 37 shots for the win.

Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value projected over the full season at their current pace. Give them a look and check out their site.

Coming up this week: