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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Mikey Eyssimont is a pain to play against, a healthy sign for the Bruins
'My whole day, year-round, it's all hockey and nothing's ever changed,' Eyssimont told the Globe. 'Sometimes I look at it like, 'I'm 28 and my neighbors still see me stick-handling in the driveway.' So, a lot of my friends have moved on and I'm still doing the same thing. And I just find that really special and just love the sport and what it's done for me. And I just look forward to playing for Boston.' Eyssimont (that's AY-see-mawnt) was Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Don Sweeney described Eyssimont as a 'pain to play against' and the 6-foot, 191-pounder considered the Bruins general manager's scouting report a badge of honor. Advertisement 'I take it as a compliment. I've had an edge, and I have had a chip on my shoulder for a long time, and I think I've had it since I was little, a very competitive kid,' said Eyssimont. 'And now that I'm older, I've matured even through the pro ranks to be able to concentrate toward ways to help the team. And sometimes that's just getting under an opposing team's skin. And I guess I did a good enough job for Don Sweeney to notice and ultimately, I'm here, so I got to keep doing that.' Related : Advertisement A native of Littleton, Colo., Eyssimont's journey has taken him to myriad and varied hockey outposts, from the USHL (Fargo and Sioux Falls) to Division 1 college (St. Cloud State) to the AHL (Ontario and Manitoba) and finally to the NHL (Winnipeg, San Jose, Tampa Bay, and Seattle). Through it all, Eyssimont has battled his way through adversity to reach his ultimate goal of being a consistent performer in the NHL. Those battles included being diagnosed with Crohn's disease as he headed into his junior year at St. Cloud State. The diagnosis came after he dealt with symptoms for eight months that Eyssimont believed would clear on its own if he changed a habit or two. 'I was like, 'OK, I'm not going to drink any beer this weekend with my friends. I'm going to eat really healthy,' ' Eyssimont recalled. Eyssimont, then 21, was losing weight and his energy level — something he relied on to make maximum impact on the ice — was dipping daily. 'Something is going on and you're trying to figure out yourself and you're scared,' said Eyssimont, who did some internet research to find answers but that just led to more questions. 'And finally, it got to become too much where I just skated off the ice during a summer skate in St. Cloud and just went to my trainer and said, 'Look, I need you to come with me to the hospital. This has been going on longer than you probably want to know right now, but we just need to figure this out. It was really scary, and Google doesn't help.' Advertisement According to the Mayo Clinic, Chron's 'is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and irritation of the tissues, called inflammation, in the digestive tract. This can lead to belly pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.' After a hospital stay, Eyssimont learned to manage his condition with treatment that included a special diet. Taking the first step of seeking help was big for Eyssimont, who said he regrets waiting — and suffering — for so long. It's a message he likes to drive home to others. 'Once I got to the doctor's office and sat down, I immediately felt better,' said Eyssimont. 'So, it's one of the things I always try to express to kids dealing with it and young athletes in general is that doctors are here to help and they have your back and if you think something's wrong, you need to use them and lean on them and trust them. But that's the main thing that I struggled with and that I try to get across is you can't just be stubborn, like 'I'm a hockey player, I can get through it.' No. You need to reach out and you need to use professionals.' A healthy Eyssimont collected 17 goals and 39 points in 39 games for St. Cloud before he signed an entry level deal with the Kings, who had drafted him in 2016. Eyssimont, who considers ex-Bruin and fellow Coloradan Brandon Carlo among his best friends, spent five-plus seasons in the AHL before breaking through with Winnipeg during the 2022-23 season. 'I think I spent longer than I deserved in the AHL. [Coach] Mark Morrison , my first year in Manitoba, in the Winnipeg organization, really believed in me,' said Eyssimont. 'And you're going into your third and a half year, fourth year playing in the AHL and he's telling you you're not an AHL player, you're an NHL player. Someone will see it. And Winnipeg did and I never looked back once I got my chance.' Advertisement Eyssimont was quick to credit Ontario Reign coach Mike Stothers with helping him develop into a more complete player. He was promoted by the Jets in Nov. 2022 (to replace an injured Blake Wheeler ) and was claimed by the Sharks on waivers when the Jets tried to send him back to Manitoba. The Sharks subsequently traded Eyssimont to the Lightning at the 2023 deadline and it was in Tampa where he gained his NHL foothold. 'Tampa was a place that once I landed that I felt, 'OK, I'm an NHL player now.' And I felt solidified and felt like I was starting to establish myself. And so that gave me a couple years, 2½ where I could just play and just learn what the NHL is and play 82 games and obviously play with one of the best players in the world [ Nikita Kucherov ] and a couple of the top 50 players in the world.' The structure of the Lightning organization was a perfect fit. 'There's no gray area, it's all black and white, whether it's systems or rules off the ice and stuff like that,' he said. 'And I think Boston's the same way, and I think I thrive under that type of culture and discipline. So, I think playing for Tampa, an organization like that really just allowed me to really play for anyone and Boston's the same way.' Advertisement Eyssimont finished the 2024-25 season in Seattle after again being flipped at the deadline before he went to the World Championship for the third straight season, this time helping the United States to a gold medal. 'It was unbelievable,' he said. 'Playing for the gold medal and winning the thing — first time the USA had done it since [1993]. It was pretty cool. It was definitely something I'll never forget — we were definitely a really close group.' It was at Worlds where Eyssimont bonded with future Bruin teammates Jeremy Swayman , Andrew Peeke , and Mason Lohrei . 'Yeah, I went to countless dinners with Mase and Sway, and I just saw Peeker at a wedding last weekend,' he said. 'These are definitely guys that I became good friends with, really good friends, and they were all really excited to see me sign there and they reached out and are helping me migrate over there and then acclimate to the new city and new organization. So, I'm thankful to have made those connections.' Eyssimont is not the only athlete in the family. His twin sister, Ana , is a former gymnast who is now a professional skier. 'Yeah, we're really close. Ana is on her own journey. She's a professional skier, amateur surfer. I kind of live vicariously — I can't really be outdoorsy or do those things — so I get to live vicariously through her,' said Eyssimont, who goes by Mikey because that's what his mother calls him. 'She's doing some amazing stuff in her own right and her own universe. She travels a lot and sees the world and we don't see each other as much as I'd like, but we're in touch and like I said, on our journey, so it's pretty special. I get to see her when we play somewhere where there's some good skiing like Vancouver or Seattle or Denver, Utah. So yeah, I'm thankful to have her and we push each other and yeah, it's really special.' Advertisement Eyssimont's NHL career has landed him in Winnipeg, San Jose, Tampa Bay, and Seattle so far. DARRYL DYCK/Associated Press Google it Zellers surprised, then pleased Trade deadline day naturally comes with angst for NHLers dealing with rumors and reports during the run up. It's not normally that way in the USHL, where players are generally locked in on improving, not moving. So, imagine Will Zellers's surprise when a Green Bay Gamblers teammate told him to plug his name in the old Google machine. 'Yeah, I mean I wasn't really expecting it. I was getting ready for a game, so it wasn't really on my radar at that time,' said Zellers. '... Kind of went on with my pregame routine and then my teammate, Geno Carcone said, 'You see Twitter?' I was like, 'No.' And he said, 'Look at your name.' So, my roommate looked it up and there it was, 'Zellers traded to Boston.' I was like, 'Wow, really?' ' Related : Zellers was part of the package the Bruins received from Colorado in exchange for Charlie Coyle . Boston also received Casey Mittelstadt and a second-round pick it used to take Liam Pettersson . Shortly after digesting the news, Zellers said he received reassuring calls from Don Sweeney and from the Avalanche organization, which drafted him 76th overall in 2024. 'They wanted to make sure I didn't question myself, didn't question my worth about being traded. They told me I'm still young and a good player,' said Zellers, 19. 'And Colorado, I mean, I understand with them it's a business. They tried to go on a [playoff] run. So, I'll forever be grateful for everything that they made come true.' What made it even more surprising was that Zellers, who will play at the University of North Dakota this fall, was enjoying a stellar season that ended with him copping USHL Player of the Year honors after leading the league with 44 goals. 'Yeah, it was a special year. I couldn't have done it alone. I had great teammates all around me, feeding me the puck, finding me in slots, but it was a special year,' Zellers said at the conclusion of Bruins Development Camp this month. 'Anytime you get to score that many goals, no matter what level you're at, I mean it's a good feeling. Now, you put your best foot forward going into college.' He acknowledged it was a surreal moment to walk into Warrior Ice Arena and see his nameplate in the locker room. 'You dream about playing here, dressing in here,' he said. 'It's pretty special. You get to be in here and kind of see what it's like here, see what all the facilities are like, but it's a dream come true to be at an NHL camp at this point in my career. So, I mean I'm just honored to be in here.' Zellers was among the more noticeable players at camp, using his fast feet and sharp vision to find lanes and show off his quick release. At 5-11 and 170 pounds, Zellers will work on bulking up as he prepares for college and life as a professional. 'The feedback's been great,' Zellers said of his interactions with the Bruins staff. 'I think they've been happy with how everything's going with me. But of course, just trying to find holes in my game. I mean, anytime I can turn those holes in my game into strengths, it just helps me out overall and helps me get to this level quicker.' Zellers was among the more noticeable players at development camp, using his fast feet and sharp vision to find lanes and show off his quick release. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Secondary chance Kuznetsov a solution for Bruins? The Bruins addressed a top need through free agency — grit — with the signings of Tanner Jeannot and Eyssimont. However, another top priority —secondary scoring — still needs to be a focus. Boston needs to squeeze some scoring from sources outside a projected top line of Morgan Geekie , Elias Lindholm , and David Pastrnak . One affordable solution could be Evgeny Kuznetsov , who scored 173 goals and 575 points in 743 NHL games. Related : Kuznetsov last played in the NHL late in 2024 with the Hurricanes after returning from a stint in the NHL's Player Assistance Program. Kuznetsov, 33, was suspended by the NHL for three games in 2019 for 'inappropriate conduct,' shortly after he was hit with a four-year ban in Russia following a positive test for cocaine. The crafty center signed a four-year deal with St. Petersburg SKA of the Kontinental Hockey League, but that contract was mutually terminated after he collected 37 points in 39 games during an injury-filled 2024-25 season. Kuznetsov likely would come on a short-term, team-friendly 'prove it' deal and could serve as a bridge in Boston as some of the organization's younger players continue to season. He could also help boost Boston's power play. Kuznetsov had 48 goals and 172 career points on the man advantage. And yes, a lot of that power-play time came with Alexander Ovechkin manning the dot. Loose pucks Quiz time: Who holds the Bruins rookie record for points in a season? (Bonus points for knowing the winner of the Calder Trophy that year). Answers below ... Bobby Orr revealed in a recent issue of Forbes that he's traded in his Cape Cod summers for a spot in Bruce Cassidy , Rick Tocchet , Pete DeBoer , and Misha Donskov were named assistant coaches for Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics. Jon Cooper will serve as head coach ... Rangers coach Mike Sullivan will coach Team USA ... If you need some cooling thoughts, Boston Bruins Heritage Hall is a great take. Everything you always wanted to know about your favorite franchise is right there on the Level 2 of TD Garden ... Quiz answer: Joe Juneau , who collected 32 goals and 102 points in 1992-93. Juneau, whose yodeling skills are still unknown, finished second in the Calder voting to Teemu Selanne , who potted 76 goals and 132 points. Jim McBride can be reached at
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
See the first trailer for ‘The History of Sound,' a romantic period drama set in New England
In the film, Mescal ('Gladiator II'), stars as Lionel, a singer who moves from Kentucky to Boston, where he meets David, a fellow student studying music composition, played by O'Connor ('Challengers'). David is soon drafted into the war, but the pair later reconnects for a journey through Maine, where they collect traditional folk songs from the region to preserve for future generations. Oscar-winning actor and Kingston resident Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May, earning a six-minute standing ovation, according to Advertisement Shattuck, who's married to Milton native Advertisement ''The History of Sound' is polyphonic fiction, a choir of characters from different ages and different stations of life,' Vognar wrote. '[It] marks Shattuck as one of the form's brightest lights.' Isabella Bernstein can be reached at
Boston Globe
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Superman': A ranking of all the live-action versions of the Man of Steel
Nicolas Cage (who has a son named Kal-El) made a brief appearance as a multiversal variant of the Man of Steel in 2023's 'The Flash.' While it was a pretty lackluster and mostly CGI cameo, it served as a nod to the actor nearly playing the hero in the ultimately shelved 'Superman Lives' film from writer Kevin Smith and director Tim Burton back in the '90s. Matt Bomer It's a shame that Matt Bomer, who Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Advertisement Hugh Jackman While he's better known for his work with Marvel as the razor-clawed Wolverine, Hugh Jackman did play Superman in an unofficial capacity in a 2001 episode of 'Saturday Night Live.' Will Ferrell also put a hilarious spin on Superman's dad Jor-El, played by Marlon Brando in the 1978 film. Advertisement 10. John Haymes Newton/Gerard Christopher Following the end of the Christopher Reeve era on the big screen with 1987's much-maligned 'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,' Clark Kent was reborn on the small screen with 1988's 'Superboy' TV show (later titled 'The Adventures of Superboy'). Initially played by John Haymes Newton, who left the series after one season and was replaced by Gerard Christopher, this version of Kal-El features the hero during his younger years, navigating college life and a growing rogues gallery. While 'Superboy' was campy and over-the-top, Newton and Christopher turned in admirable performances as the Boy of Steel, with the underrated show laying the groundwork for future series that investigated Clark's early years, like 'Smallville.' 9. Kirk Alyn As the first person to play Superman in live action, Alyn had a chance to continue to play the character beyond his initial film serial appearances in 1948's 'Superman' and 1950's 'Atom Man vs. Superman.' A dashing star who embodied the rugged heroics of that era's Superman, Alyn sadly 8. Dean Cain Definitely a product of its era, the ABC series 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' turned the superhero's story into a weekly romantic melodrama in the mid-'90s, as Teri Hatcher's Lois Lane swooned over Dean Cain's Superman. Advertisement 7. Henry Cavill Drawing inspiration from the 'Injustice' video games, where tragedy turns Superman into a god-like tyrant, Zack Snyder's take on the character was pretty dark and dreary in 2013's Henry Cavill in the 2016 film "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Clay Enos 6. Brandon Routh My vote for the most underrated live-action Superman goes to Brandon Routh, who absolutely nailed the look and feel of the Man of Steel in 2006's 'Superman Returns.' As a spiritual sequel to the first two Reeve movies, Routh perfectly captured his predecessor's ability to balance the bombastic heroics with his bumbling alter ego. Routh's Kent was incredible, but the film suffers from a severe drought of compelling Superman action, making this an unfortunate one-and-done situation for the actor. Well, that was until he suited up again for the CW's TV crossover event 'Crisis on Infinite Earths,' where Routh played an older version of Superman inspired by the 'Kingdom Come' comic. 5. David Corenswet He may be the new super kid on the block, but David Corenswet has already flown up into my top five of live-action Superman actors. In the new film, directed and written by James Gunn, Corenswet brings a great mix of sincerity, hope, and humanity to the role, crafting a Superman that, as Globe film critic Odie Henderson Advertisement David Corenswet in 'Superman.' Warner Bros. 4. Tyler Hoechlin The last actor to play the Man of Tomorrow on the small screen, Tyler Hoechlin brought super dad vibes in the CW's 'Superman & Lois' series, which ended its four season run last year. Hoechlin, who originally played a different version of Superman on the CW's 'Supergirl' show, really embodied the character's wholesome, family man side in 'Superman & Lois,' which saw Clark, Lois (Bitsie Tulloch), and their two teenage sons living on the Kent farm in Smallville. While the series was cut short, Hoechlin deserves a lot of credit for his incredibly earnest portrayal of a Superman who always puts his family first, and for anchoring the character's legacy in the final years of DC shows on the CW. 3. Tom Welling Yes, 'Smallville,' which ran from 2001 to 2011, was at times a cornball fest that fused supernatural sci-fi with teenage melodrama, but for many millennial Superman fans, Tom Welling is their Man of Steel. Physically, Welling looked as close to the comic book character as a person could get outside of Christopher Reeve, and, even with the often cheesy dialogue, his gravitas made viewers buy into his super-powered Kansas do-gooder routine. 'Smallville' was far from perfect, and sure, he never really wore the Superman outfit until the final seconds of the finale, but Welling deserves his flowers, because no one has spent more time playing Clark on screen than him. Advertisement 2. George Reeves For fans of a certain age, George Reeves is the gold standard when it comes to the classic portrayal of Superman. After debuting as the hero in 1951's 'Superman and the Mole Men,' Reeves returned to play the character for six seasons on the hit TV series 'Adventures of Superman.' Becoming the face of the Man of Steel during his TV golden age (he even appeared as Superman in a 1957 'I Love Lucy' episode), Reeves brought an imposing, strongman physicality to Superman that made him that era's ultimate tough guy. 1. Christopher Reeve Did you really think it'd be anyone else? The Christopher Reeve in "Superman." Courtesy of The Kobal Collection at Art Resource Matt Juul can be reached at
Boston Globe
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Fill your playlist (and your plate) with the best of the Lowell Folk Festival
As you plan your journey around the globe, check out a few of the festival's musical highlights, who will each perform multiple times over the course of the weekend. If you can't make it to Mill City, three of the four stages will be streamed live via Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Solas Anna Colliton Solas Reviewing the 1994 Lowell Folk Festival, the late Boston Globe folk critic Scott Alarik marveled at a one-off Irish music group put together by multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan and his ability to 'wonderfully bind ancient traditions to new sounds and ideas.' He added that the 'superb' fiddler Winifred Horan's 'intricately percussive stepdancing' was a constant show-stopper. Advertisement The group went over so well in Lowell that by the next year it had become a band called Solas, which would become one of the most important Celtic music acts of the 21st century. Solas are on a 30th anniversary reunion tour that includes originals Egan, Horan, and accordionist John Williams. Other Lowell favorites making encore appearances this year include Chicago's electric blues guitar marvel Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, and BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, the band that spearheaded the Cajun music renaissance. Angkor Dance Troupe Angkor Dance Troupe Reamker Lowell is home to the nation's second largest Cambodian-American community, and the city's heralded On Saturday, in addition to performing at Boarding House Park, members of the troupe will participate in the 'From Courtly to Contest: Centuries of Dance' workshop at the Richard K. and Nancy L. Donahue Stage at St. Anne's Churchyard. The session will also include Solas member Kevin Doyle and the dazzling flamenco duo Los Ricos, who were Advertisement Bamba Wassoulou Groove Lowell is also home to a diverse and vibrant African community. The city hosts a three-day African festival every June, and the Cameroonian Lowell will also present the first area appearance by Bamba Wassoulou Groove, a thunderous Malian outfit that boasts twin electric guitars and a magnetic frontman, Ousmane Diakité. They're such a perfect fit for the dance floor that they're playing the Rockland Trust Bank Dance Pavilion twice. On Saturday afternoon, the band is part of a workshop at the Saab Family Foundation Stage at Market Street called 'Dance to the Music: South America to South Asia' with Red Baraat and the two Latin acts on the lineup: Colombian cumbia accordionist Yeison Landero and a salsa orquesta led by singer Edwin Perez. Oghlan Bakhshi Over its 38 years, the Lowell Folk Festival has often featured traditions that are rarely heard in New England. This year's hidden treasure will be the sounds of Turkmen, the historically nomadic ethnic group found in the steppes of Turkmenistan, as well as parts of Iran and Afghanistan. Oghlan Bakhshi grew up a child prodigy in Iran — his stage name means 'child bard' — and has been on a mission to bring Turkmen music to the rest of the world. Now a graduate student at Brown, Oghlan Bakhshi is bringing this musical heritage to American stages, where it hasn't been heard in decades. Advertisement He'll be joined by Zyyada Jumayeva, who also strums the two-stringed dutar and sings Turkmen bardic ballads from a woman's perspective. Sunday's 'Generations in Tune' workshop will feature a combination that could only be found at the Lowell Folk Festival: Oghlan Bakhshi, Boston gospel treasures the Oghlan Bakhshi (center) Courtesy of the artist Ricardo Parreira & Friends Fado, the mournful tavern ballads of Portugal, LOWELL FOLK FESTIVAL Throughout downtown Lowell, July 25-27. Free.
Boston Globe
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
5 observations from final day of Bruins development camp
James Hagens is elite … and would benefit from another year at BC Most of the fans in attendance were there to see the Bruins' top 2025 draft pick James Hagens — a dynamic playmaking center who has the means to be a future franchise stalwart down the middle. Even though the 18-year-old didn't light the lamp during Thursday's scrimmage, it's easy to see why the Boston College product entered this past season as the projected top pick in his draft class. Advertisement Hagens was noticeable in just about every shift during the four-day camp, and made a good first impression by opting to take part in Monday's on-ice session Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Hagens's ability to dominate in the NHL ranks will largely depend on just how well he can withstand the punishment at the pro level at 5 feet 11 inches. But even at his floor, Hagens should be a dynamic, playmaking top-six talent. The edge work and hands are elite, and he's always operating with his head up while carrying the puck into the offensive zone. He's the type of talent who — just by relying on his strengths alone — is going to make things happen offensively at the NHL level with the puck on his stick. Advertisement What remains to be seen is just how high his ceiling can be with the Bruins (an offensive-first top-two line center? A legitimate franchise center?), as well as when Hagens will make the jump to the NHL ranks. 'I want to be a Boston Bruin,' Hagens said earlier this week. 'I want to be a Boston Bruin really bad. That's the conversation that I have to have with the staff and management. . . . But, just to be able to get the draft over and know what team that you're putting your heart and soul into, it's a lot better.' Hagens noted Thursday that he is ready to meet with Bruins management now that camp has finished to discuss his plans for next year — namely, whether he plans to return to BC or make the jump up to the pro game. Even if Hagens's offensive skillset is already impressive, the wise choice would be for Hagens to return to the Eagles as a sophomore. Another year at Chestnut Hill would give him more time to both build up some muscle and his confidence — while also earning heavy minutes as the Eagles' top player. Even with his two BC linemates in Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault now in the NHL, Hagens will likely be tasked with being more of a puck-dominant, assertive player as a sophomore, while his talents alone should have him primed for a standout year. 'I think in some ways it's going to benefit him,' Bruins player development coordinator Adam McQuaid said of Hagens playing with new linemates next season. 'Continuing to ramp up the compete level and the consistent impact that he's capable of having. I think that's the big thing for a lot of young players, is just bringing consistency night in, night out. Advertisement 'It's not always going to be perfect, but just bringing the effort and wanting to be a driver and a difference maker, like he wants to be — and [we're] just going to help him along in that process.' For the Bruins, the best-case scenario for Hagens likely involves him returning to BC in 2025-26, dominating in his second go-around in Hockey East, and then join Boston for the final stretch of the year after the Eagles' season wraps. Vashek Blanár is a project worth investing in for Bruins Next to Hagens, the other standout during development camp among players picked in the recent NHL Draft was fourth rounder Vashek Blanár. Considering a reach at that stage of the draft, the But Boston banked on Blanár's mix of size and playmaking capabilities from the blue line as a worthwhile flier in the fourth round. And even though Blanár is a few years away from the NHL, one can see why the Bruins were enamored with a prospect with such a unique skill set. Fourth-round pick Vashek Blanár had a strong camp but the 6-foot-4-inch defenseman is still a raw talent. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Blanár's frame might be the first thing that stands out when he's on the ice, but his offensive game is similar to Mason Lohrei — with the Czech product more than willing to activate off the blue line and drive down low in search of a quality chance. Advertisement He had arguably the best scoring chance of the scrimmage, as he spun off Ethan Whitcomb at the blue line, slipped past Ty Gallagher and drove all the way down the slot before lofting a puck that hit off the cross bar and nearly crossed the goal line. Blanár is going to need a few more years of development before he becomes a viable pro option. He needs to put on some weight, his processing ability with the puck was a bit behind on some passes, while his defensive game will have to be ironed out. But it's hard to ignore the upside. 'A kid at his age that can move as well as he does at his size,' McQuaid said. 'He's pretty raw, like even in talking to him, but he has good instincts as a D-man for for defending. 'He even admitted himself, like, I haven't spent a lot of time focused on defending. It's been more of an offensive minded game for him, but he's showing the willingness to want to defend, and I'm excited to work with him.' Cooper Simpson could follow a similar trajectory as Will Zellers Hagens might be the new crown jewel of Boston's prospect pipeline, but winger Will Zellers is also a talent worth keeping tabs on After being named USHL Player of the Year last season after scoring 44 goals in 52 games with the Green Bay Gamblers, Zellers should be primed for a strong season at the University of North Dakota in the fall. As the Bruins watch closely to see if Zellers can develop into a legitimate 20-goal regular in the pro ranks, fellow Bruins prospect Cooper Simpson might be cut from the same cloth as a legitimate offensive threat. Advertisement A third-round pick by Boston in the 2025 NHL Draft, Simpson led all Minnesota high school players this past year by scoring 49 goals (and 83 points) in just 31 games with Shakopee High School. Related : It should come as little surprise for a player with pro upside to dominate at the high-school level, but Simpson also closed out the year scoring seven goals in nine games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. And after a quiet start during camp, Simpson was a regular threat whenever he had the puck on his stick — peppering the net and finding soft areas of the ice to uncork shots. 'Just trying to bring a different angle, trying to push around people, and also bring it in your feet and try longer releases,' Simpson said of improving his scoring acumen. 'Just stuff like that, changing the angle. I feel like it's the main thing you have to have to score goals at the next level.' Simpson, like Zellers, is also committed to North Dakota. But he will spend this next year playing with the Storm for a full USHL campaign. If he can show that his solid start last year with Tri-City was far from a fluke, the Bruins could have two very promising offensive wingers developing in the system between Zellers and Simpson. Dean Letourneau throws his weight around For all of the discourse regarding Bruins' 2024 first-round pick Dean Letourneau and his Advertisement The Ontario native spent most of the last month training in Boston before the start of development camp, and was very noticeable during Thursday's scrimmage. 'I was really happy with Dean this week,' McQuaid said. 'I think he showed how much stronger he's gotten, more physical. He's using his frame, wanting to get to the net, doing things quicker. 'Again, he spent the whole month here in Boston. That said a lot about what his commitment level is. So I'm excited for him. I think he's excited as well. He's just itching to get going.' Dean Letourneau, the Bruins first-round pick in 2024, had a solid showing at development camp. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff The production was what it was for Letourneau this past season after making the sizable jump from prep to Boston College (zero goals, three assists in 36 games). But the skill is there for Letourneau when he's operating in tight spaces — a unique attribute for a player who also measures 6-7. After operating on the perimeter during extended stretches last season at BC, Letourneau was making the most of his frame on Thursday — at one point knocking over BC commit Kristian Kostadinski (6-6, 220 pounds) while battling for a puck near the end boards. If Letourneau can play to his size this upcoming season at BC and operate in Grade-A ice, his skill should allow him to be far more productive moving forward. Once compared to another 6-7 forward in Tage Thompson given his prolific scoring totals at the prep level, Letourneau might end up developing into more of a bottom-six matchup nightmare like 6-7 Brian Boyle if he can continue to refine his game. Loose pucks ⋅ The Bruins outbid several teams by ⋅ Camp invite CJ Foley would be a nice pickup by Boston next season if he opts to turn pro after his junior year with Dartmouth. The Hanover native and Thayer Academy product is a skilled, puck-moving, right-shot defenseman who will likely attract a long list of suitors after scoring 11 goals and posting 30 points in 33 games with the Big Green in 2024-25. ⋅ Two-way forward Conor Ryan can be reached at
