How Mason Lohrei Will Slot into the Bruins Defensive Group

Mason Lohrei is set to make his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on Thursday at TD Garden against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mason Lohrei carried a cooler towards the bus. It was 12:27p.m. on Oct. 31, and the Providence Bruins (AHL) were three minutes away from leaving for Wilkes-Barre for their Wednesday night game against the Penguins.

However, one of Providence’s equipment staff took the cooler from Lohrei and sent him to the coaches office for a change of travel plans. The 22-year-old defenseman would ship it up to Boston for his NHL debut with the Bruins.

In the absence of Matt Grzelcyck – who was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday with an upper-body injury – and Charlie McAvoy – who was suspended four games Tuesday for an illegal check to the head against Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Lohrei was one of three players called up from Providence to fill the Bruins’ holes on the blue line.

Defesnemen Ian Mitchell and Parker Wotherspoon were also brought up, but Lohrei is the only one out of the group who has yet to hit NHL ice. Thursday at TD Garden against the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the youngster’s official welcome to The Show.

“There’s obviously, since I got the call-up, there’s been nerves. But that’s all part of it, that’s what makes it so special and so fun,” Lohrei said Wednesday following team practice.

Lohrei skated on a pair with Brandon Carlo during Wednesday’s practice after the two got some reps in with each other during preseason. That duo will stick together Thursday and offer great size and agility to Boston’s backend.

“I just like their length, their mobility – to be able to force a lot of dump-ins or kill a lot of plays before it even gets into our end,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “I think you’re going to see [Lohrei] out there a lot. We think he’s ready for this league, and we think that he’s going to play well in this league.”

While Carlo has since become a stalwart of the B’s defensive group, his 2016 NHL debut doesn’t feel so long ago for the now 26-year-old defenseman. Carlo has been in Lohrei’s shoes, and said communication will be key for the pair finding chemistry in actual game situations.

“Communication on the ice – as long as we’re doing that, we’re going to sort things out in the defensive zone, through the neutral zone and whatnot,” Carlo said.

“He’s a smooth skater, great player and he’s going to do just fine. I think just helping him manage maybe nerves at times – I’ve been in that position – and not getting over exaggerated and overthinking too much is a big thing.”

There’s a certain confidence and swagger to Lohrei’s game that the Bruins saw through training camp, and the 6-foot-5 Ohio State product proved he can handle the top-four minutes that Montgomery will likely give his pair on Thursday.

While back in Providence, Lohrei had four assists through seven games and continued to round out his game to prepare for when a moment just like this one arrived.

“Playing hard and closing fast. Defending, playing stronger and also just keep building the offensive side of my game and playing the way I know how to,” Lohrei said. “Play simple, play fast, play the system. Don’t need to force anything, that’s kind of it.”

As for the rest of the Bruins’ defensive group, Hampus Lindholm and Kevin Shattenkirk skated together Wednesday, as did Wotherspoon and Mitchell. Derek Forbort did not practice, and Montgomery said the veteran was “questionable” to play against Toronto.

With a potential three of its six regular D-men out of commission, Boston will rely on some fresh faces to carry the weight – and it seems like they’re up for the challenge.

“Obviously great to be back, happy to be here,” Lohrei said. “Ready to get to work.”