In this segment, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News catches up with former Devil Jesper Boqvist.
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Jesper Boqvist returned to Prudential Center for the first time as an opposing player. After receiving his second season call-up from the American Hockey League on Dec. 12, the Boston Bruins forward traveled to the city where he started his NHL career.
The former New Jersey Devils center participated in his team's optional morning skate and was one of the last Bruins' players on the ice. While Matt Grzelcyk had already wrapped up his pregame media availability, the young Swede was just entering the visitor's locker room.
With a huge smile, he greeted a couple of familiar Devils staffers, asking how they were doing and filling them in about his life in Boston. He revealed that he grabbed dinner with former teammates Nico Hischier and Jonas Siegenthaler on Tuesday night, and that he tries to keep tabs on the Devils.
With a couple of free minutes, Boqvist sat with Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News to talk about the past few months and his new chapter in Boston before he needed to get on the bus.
Before diving into his new life with the Bruins organization, he quickly spoke about his summer.
"My first thought was to stay (in New Jersey), but stuff happened, and now I'm here, and I'm happy."
"I feel like you grow a lot from it, too, right? Meeting new people and a new city," he said. "I think I needed a step like that to grow and take the next step."
As a free agent, Boqvist signed a one-year, one-way $775,000 contract with the Boston Bruins on July 12, 2023.
When Bruins training camp opened in late September, he was met by a few familiar faces, including Pavel Zacha and Reilly Walsh, who were also Devils draft picks. Boqvist spent over two weeks fighting for a spot in Boston's lineup before he was assigned to the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins, on Oct. 7.
On Oct. 26, the Swede received his first recall and made his Bruins debut versus the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden. He was sent back to Providence the next day.
"Obviously, I want to play (in the NHL) as much as I can," Boqvist said. "I've had some good weeks with Providence, and we have been winning a lot."
One thing that has been an adjustment is learning how to play the Bruins brand of hockey.
"It's been a learning period, for sure," he continued. "(I'm) learning the system, which is a lot different here than in New Jersey. Then you have everything around it, like all the new people and getting comfortable and all that. The last couple of weeks have been good."
The American Hockey League is known to be a developmental league, with most players beginning their career there before becoming NHL regulars. At 25, Boqvist is young enough to grow and develop his game but old enough to help out some younger guys.
"Even though I'm 25, I have been through a lot already. We have a young Swede in Providence that I have tried to help as far as what to expect and stuff like that."
"I just want to learn and get better and then help out if anyone needs help," he said.
Throughout the conversation, Boqvist wore a sincere smile and seemed happy with this chapter in his hockey career. Even though he is in a new city, surrounded by new coaches and teammates, his goal remains the same.
"Hopefully, grow; that is still the plan."