The Bruins announced their rookie camp roster, which will compete at the 2023 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from Sept. 15-18. Below are a forward, a defenseman and a goalie to watch from the group.
The Boston Bruins announced the roster for their 2023 Rookie Camp, which will travel to Buffalo for the 2023 Prospects Challenge, joining the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators along with the host Sabres.
The Prospects Challenge will take place from Sept. 15-18. Below are three players to watch this week, one from every position group:
F John Beecher
Within the Bruins prospect pool, younger forwards such as Fabian Lysell and Matt Poitras – both of whom will be in attendance this week – harbor more excitement about their potential, but Beecher is likely the closest to seeing NHL action, barring big training camp performances from the other two.
The 2019 first-rounder is coming off his first full season with AHL Providence, where he scored 23 points in 61 games. He doesn’t bring the offensive offside of Lysell or Georgii Merkulov, who led Providence in scoring last season (55 points in 67 games), but Beecher’s 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame gives him the size and strength to compete for some playing time in the NHL, albeit facing stiff competition for roles in the bottom six.
If Beecher shines at the Prospect Challenge, it could give him some confidence and momentum heading into training camp.
D Mason Lohrei
Lohrei is far and away the top defensive prospect in the Bruins’ system. Low bar to clear, yes, but after two productive seasons at Ohio State – where he totaled 61 points in 71 games – and an impressive showing at the Bruins Development Camp in July, the 2020 second-round pick could be in for quite a showcase at the Prospects Challenge.
With the Bruins returning most of their defensemen and adding veteran Kevin Shattenkirk, Lohrei will spend the year in Providence. He joined the P-Bruins for five games last season after leaving the NCAA, and appeared in three Calder Cup playoff games.
G William Rousseau
We’re covering one player from each position group, and with the Bruins sending two invitee goaltenders, we’re going with Rousseau.
Formality aside, Rousseau is coming off an impressive season with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. The undrafted netminder posted a league-best 2.22 goals against average to go with a .908 save percentage (fifth-best), going 35-8-1 in 47 appearances.
Rousseau continued to roll in the postseason, leading the Remparts to the QMJHL Championship as well as the 2023 Memorial Cup. Along with the championship titles, he earned the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the best goaltender in the Memorial Cup (.937 save percentage, 2.15 GAA).
Another interesting note: Rousseau is the grandson of Bobby Rousseau, a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens. The elder Rousseau totaled 703 points in 942 games spanning from 1960-1975, winning the Calder Trophy in 1962 as Rookie of the Year.
As for the younger Rousseau, his invite to Bruins Rookie Camp could be a one-off, but after a dream season in Juniors, he could be a player worth monitoring in the future.