The 19-year-old center has proven to be one of the B's top prospects down the middle.
BRIGHTON, Mass. – As every hockey training camp cliche goes, the players are taking it one day at a time.
This rang true for Boston Bruins prospect Matthew Poitras as he adjusted to the speed and detail-oriented play of the NHL during his first on-ice day of training camp on Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena.
“I just try to show up everyday and put my best foot forward and work hard. I’m not trying to read into it too much, just come in, work hard and do my best,” Poitras told reporters. “Bigger, stronger, faster guys. For me, it’s just getting comfortable with the pace. I feel like I can keep up out there, but it’s more just adapting.”
Coming off a strong development camp in July, Poitras has quickly gained attention as one of the B’s top young options down the middle. The 19-year-old, who skated with Group B on Thursday, was slotted into his natural center position with Jesper Boqvist and David Pastrnak on his wings.
“It’s pretty cool, he’s one of the best players in the world, so any time you can skate with a guy like that you’ve got to try to raise your level of compete and play,” Poitras said of Pastrnak. “I was a little nervous to play on a line in practice with a player of that caliber…He’s so good. Being on the same ice is crazy.”
It’s NHL or bust –– more accurately, Juniors –– for Poitras now as he battles for an opening night lineup spot. The 2022 second-round pick is ineligible to play in the AHL with Providence this season due to the NHL-CHL transfer agreement.
Prospects who are not 20 years old or who have not played four seasons in junior hockey cannot be re-assigned to the AHL. Poitras, who turns 20 in March, has only played two seasons with the Guelph Storm in the OHL due to COVID-19 shutdowns.
While the bottom six pool for the Bruins is deep, coach Jim Montgomery made it clear that he and the Bruins management are looking for the most competitive, game-changing players to build out their squad, no matter the age.
“A young guy is not going to be denied an opportunity if he’s the best player that’s going to help us win,” Montgomery told reporters on Wednesday. “We’re looking for surprises, right? It’s not only surprises this year with who’s going to make the team, but it’s also who’s going to be able to handle more minutes.”
Poitras’ playmaking ability is there. He tallied 79 assists (and 16 goals) in 63 games last season in the OHL, much aided by his high hockey IQ, but he’s looking to bury the puck a bit more in the next stage of his career.
“I think sometimes being a bit more selfish –– I’ll always be a pass-first type of guy, but being a little more selfish is kind of something I need to add to my game,” Poitras said. “I think I’d score quite a few more goals if I just focused on putting more pucks on net and see what happens.”
While Thursday’s lines are nowhere near concrete or telling of what the 2023-24 B’s may look like, the blend of young spunk in a guy like Poitras and veteran talent in Pastrnak may very well become a core part of the new Bruins’ DNA with on-ice matchmaking.
Bruins President Cam Neely welcomed the internal competition from the younger players for roles on the team that are seemingly up for grabs regardless of how many returners are in the room.
“We want to put the best team on the ice, so training camp is going to dictate who those players are,” Neely said to reporters on Wednesday. “If I’m a younger player, you’re always looking to take someone’s job no matter who’s in front of you. You’ve got to take someone’s job.”
That’s exactly what Poitras will aim to do in the few weeks.
“Obviously the goal is to try to make the Bruins, it would be a dream come true to play in the NHL,” Poitras said. “Trying to make it as difficult as possible for them to send me back to Juniors.”