Fabian Lysell, Matt Poitras and other Bruins Rookie Camp participants are hoping to make good impressions at the 2023 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo this week.
BRIGHTON, Mass. – Ryan Mougenel has a busy week ahead.
The Providence Bruins coach spoke to reporters after the first day of the parent club’s Rookie Camp. Mougenel has coached nearly half of the players in the AHL, but even with the players he hasn’t seen up close, the message was the same for all of them.
“We want to see the competitive spirit,” Mougenel said. “And figure out what your brand is for us, and I think we have a lot of young players that did a really good job last year, especially in Providence, doing that.”
That 'competitive spirit' will be key for the young players looking to crack into a Boston roster in the midst of transition. The retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci leave open spots, particularly up the middle, but between returning players and added veterans jockeying for spots, the youngsters will have to fight for their place in the lineup.
The rookie camp will make its way to Buffalo to participate in the 2023 Prospects Challenge from Sept. 15-18, where it will face the rookies from the host Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins, among others.
Mougenel believes the tournament will not only serve as an opportunity for the players to showcase their skills against different competition, but also to potentially get a leg up over the veterans in terms of shaking off rust.
“Maybe get a head start on some of the older guys, the veteran guys that don’t get those exhibition games early on,” he said.
Fabian Lysell, the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, expressed the same sentiment about shaking off rust. The 20-year-old winger scored 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 54 games with Providence last season, his first in the AHL.
His season was cut short due to a concussion in the playoffs, but after taking the summer to recover, Lysell said he’s excited to try and earn a roster spot in what will be his third training camp.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot both on and off the ice,” Lysell said. “I think that’s gonna help me a lot. Not just playing, but just taking it all in. It’s a process, it’s a month of hard work, and you go out and try to prove to yourself that you’re capable of playing in the NHL.”
Matt Poitras, the Bruins’ second-round pick in 2022 (54th overall), is looking to bypass the AHL entirely and carve out a spot on the opening night roster. The 19-year-old forward scored 95 points in 63 games for the OHL’s Guelph Storm last season.
Due to the CHL-NHL agreement barring prospects under 20 from playing in the AHL, Poitras will have to earn an NHL roster spot or else he will return to the OHL.
“There’s an opportunity. Everybody wants to play here, so it’s going to be difficult. I’m just going to come to camp with a positive mindset,” Poitras said.
“Of course, I really want to make this team. It’s my dream to play in the NHL.”
For Lysell, Poitras and the rest of the Bruins rookie camp, making the opening roster is far from guaranteed. According to Mougenel, there’s one major separator that could make the difference in determining which rookie, if any, will make the team.
“You gotta do what other guys aren’t willing to do,” Mougenel said. “You come to a certain spot where everybody’s capable, and then it’s just a willingness.”