Keeping Busy: Bruins Edition

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

It’s September and for hockey fans, that’s means we are inching closer to training camp. While we eagerly wait until the boys in black and gold hit the ice, some of the players have been involved in many engagements away from Causeway Street.

MAKING A LASTING COMMITEMENT

During the 19th Annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon that ran from August 24-25th, 29-year-old Charlie Coyle recently revealed that he did something over the weekend. That “something” was proposing to long-time girlfriend Danielle Hooper during a beautiful day in Nantucket. Hooper is a former beauty queen and was crowned Miss Minnesota USA in 2013 and met Coyle while he played for the Minnesota Wild. The happy new fiance took to her own Instagram to show off her own excitement:

“Three and a half years ago he asked me to be his girlfriend with the very eloquent line, ‘So when people ask me who you are, can I tell them you’re my girlfriend? Fortunately, ‘Will you marry me?’ is kind of a standard line so yesterday went a little more smoothly. For me, it was the easiest ‘yes’ ever. I’m so unbelievably happy to be your fiancé, and I can’t wait to be your wife!”

After getting engaged last July, Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton married longtime girlfriend Amanda Thompson on August 21, 2021, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Clifton and Thompson met in middle school in 2006 and started dating in 2009. Former Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon served as a groomsman. Clifton recently posted a now-deleted photo of his wife on their honeymoon where the caption read “When you get covid on your honeymoon and your wife hates you for the very first time.” His father Tim gave a message to the Boston Globe to let fans know Connor is vaccinated. The team had no comment.

Speaking of Lauzon, the former Bruin who now plays for the Seattle Kraken got engaged to his girlfriend Alyson Marquis in July 2021.

Last October, Boston Bruins right-winger, and Walpole-native Chris Wagner got engaged to longtime girlfriend Kate Macdonald. Macdonald is a Norwell, MA native and a former Northwestern lacrosse standout. On August 28th, 2021 Wagner and Macdonald tied the knot in Falmouth, MA.

IN OTHER NEWS

As previously mentioned The 19th Annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon had Bruins representation. Coyle, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, goaltender Jeremy Swayman, and Head Coach Bruce Cassidy took part in the event that was held in Fenway Park. The telethon raised over $3.8 million for the charity that supports the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs announced a $50,000 donation. Anyone wishing to donate may still do so by visiting their website here.

RECOVERY

Both Coyle and goaltender Tuukka Rask offered updates on their offseason surgery. The right-winger underwent surgery for a long-withstanding issue that affected his knee. The 29-year-old will need to be ready as he could possibly take over David Krejci’s spot on the second line:

“It’s an opportunity. We have a lot of guys who can play that role. It’s going to create that inner competition which is gonna make us a better team. But that’s not my position right now, I’ve got to earn it. That’s my job going in. I’ve got to be the best player I can.”

Rask, who recently underwent hip surgery, gave an update during the Radio-Telethon last Wednesday morning. The goaltender expressed his hopes that in a few weeks he’d return to working out.

“I’d be ready to go probably around Christmas-time, January. Hopefully I can start skating here in about a month and a half or so and kind of progress from there and be ready to go in January.”

Rask remains an unrestricted agent however made it clear that Boston is where he wants to stay:

“For me, it’s about that pride of playing for one team and one team only. I have no reason to chase the money anymore and go somewhere else. It’s gonna be one of those things where I feel like the Bruins is my home, Boston is my home.”