By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis & Jason Cooke | Follow me on Twitter @cookejournalism
The 2024 Bruins Development Camp is in the books, and it’s officially time for some recap and review. In total, 31 skaters suited up at Warrior Ice Arena, hoping to impress Boston’s development staff and make their mark on the Bruins faithful. Black N’ Gold Productions contributor Jason Cooke and I were in the building for each day of camp, noting who impressed, who disappointed, and who fans should be excited for. Here’s what we saw from the group of 20 forwards:
Dalton Bancroft
Age: 23
Draft: Invite
2023-24 Team: Cornell (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 34GP, 12G, 19A, 31 Pts
2024-25 Team: Cornell (NCAA)
Calautti: Bancroft was a player I didn’t necessarily have my eyes on going into camp, but I certainly noticed when he was on the ice. He’s a bigger forward with an impressive skating stride despite carrying a 6’3″ frame. His physical maturity was evident throughout camp, and he used his size and speed to stand out in transition drills and shine in the scrimmage. It’s fair to wonder if his age and maturation allowed him to excel against smaller, younger players, but Bancroft is definitely someone to keep an eye on at Cornell this season.
Cooke: Bancroft was all over the ice at Warrior Arena last week. At 6’3″, 209 pounds, the Madoc, Ontario native is hard to miss. Though he didn’t necessarily stand out in the first few days of skating and shooting drills, he was noticeable in the scrimmage on the final day of camp. Scoring a goal (albeit off his skate) and blocking a Drew Bavaro slap shot highlighted his ability to do it all on both ends of the ice. I’d expect Bancroft to put up monster numbers at Cornell this winter.
Ty Cheveldayoff
Age: 21
Draft: Invite
2023-24 Team: Spokane (WHL)
2023-24 Stats: 57GP, 12G, 23A, 35 Pts
2024-25 Team: Rochester (AHL)
Calautti: Cheveldayoff is no longer a consideration for Boston’s system after signing an AHL deal with the Rochester Americans. Cheveldayoff is another skater with impressive size who put up solid numbers as an older player in the WHL. Although his game didn’t stand out, he did enough to earn a promotion to the AHL.
Cooke: After a solid week at camp, Cheveldayoff was signed to a one-year AHL deal with the Rochester Americans. So, while we won’t see him in Black and Gold for the foreseeable future, he’s certainly a player with some promise.
Riley Duran
Age: 22
Draft: 2020 6th round pick, 182nd overall
2023-24 Team: Providence (NCAA) & Providence Bruins (AHL)
2023-24 Stats: 11GP, 2G, 2A, 4 Pts
2024-25 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)
Calautti: Duran was arguably the best player at the development camp, not named Matt Poitras. Duran’s calling card is his high motor and tenacity; those skills were on full display last week. He plays a very straightforward game, using his North-South speed to bear down on defenders and his work ethic and strength to hunt pucks, force turnovers, and maintain possession even when under pressure. His skating looked more explosive than last summer and profiles as the type of workman-like skater the Bruins covet. The only question with Duran is whether or not he can keep developing his finishing ability and become a more consistent goal-scoring threat. He’ll be an integral part of the Providence Bruins this year.
Cooke: The hometown kid was hands down my favorite prospect on the ice last week. Hailing from Woburn, MA, there isn’t much to not like about Duran’s game. After seeing him a few times at Providence College last season, he’s seemed to make a massive leap since acclimating himself to the professional game in the AHL. Providence Bruins bench boss Ryan Mougenel raved about the prospect after camp on Wednesday, citing how he was “excellent” in his 11-game sample size and “a lot better” than what he expected. Duran’s forte is certainly his lightning-quick but powerful release, and he fooled goaltenders all week long in battle and competition drills. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him up in the NHL at some point this season. In fact, I would expect to. The two-way forward plays a hard and consistent game that gels perfectly with Jim Montgomery’s style.
Andre Gasseau
Age: 20
Draft: 2021 7th round pick, 213th overall
2023-24 Team: Boston College (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 40GP, 12G, 17A, 29 Pts
2024-25 Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Calautti: Gasseau has all the makings of a prototypical power forward. He was easily one of the strongest players at camp, physically imposing himself in the corners and in front of the net and using his size and frame to hang onto pucks and establish possession. Gasseau has an excellent shot that he can get off instantly from anywhere in the zone. The big drawback with him is his skating. There isn’t a ton of speed in his game, and although he had a solid season at BC, he looked to be a bit overmatched at times. If he gets his legs churning and can adapt to a higher pace game, he’ll be a fan-favorite in Boston.
Cooke: With no disrespect to Gasseau whatsoever, I’d say he was the least impressive Boston College forward in camp. And that’s only because Dean Letourneau and Oskar Jellvik were excellent. At 6’4 “, 217 pounds, Gasseau seemingly moves well for his size and has a diverse offensive toolbox. At just 20 years old, I don’t think Gasseau has revealed his full potential just yet.
Brett Harrison
Age: 21
Draft: 2021, 3rd, 85th
2023-24 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)
2023-24 Stats: 47GP, 5G, 9A, 14 Pts
2024-25 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)
Calautti: Harrison is an absolute sniper when he has time and space to get off his shot. Whether it’s a one-timer, wrister through traffic, or snap shot in transition, he already has the ability to score goals when put in the right spots. He’s put on some muscle and received heavy praise from Providence Bruins Coach Ryan Mougenel. He had some difficulty adjusting to the pro game but seems to have made all the necessary physical improvements to make a jump in his second season. Harrison will get a shot in the top six of Boston’s AHL affiliate this season, and he needs to show off his goal-scoring touch to continue establishing himself as a top prospect.
Cooke: Harrison is someone to watch closely in Providence next winter. After a debut stint with the club last season, Harrison is in line for a breakout sophomore campaign. At 6 ‘2″, 189 pounds, Harrison used his length to his advantage in close quarters, utilizing a quick stick on defense and protecting the puck while pressured on offense. He has soft hands, and management loved the fact how he’s gotten stronger over the offseason.
Beckett Hendrickson
Age: 19
Draft: 2023, 4th, 124
2023-24 Team: Dubuque (USHL)
2023-24 Stats: 59GP, 27G, 37A, 64 Pts
2024-25 Team: Minnesota (NCAA)
Calautti: One thing I noted about Hendrickson during development camp was his ability to win battles along the wall. The puck attaches itself to his stick like a magnet, and he uses his strength and leverage to maintain possession and pick opponents’ pockets. He wasn’t a standout until he and Chris Pelosi started skating together in the three-on-three scrimmage drills. Once he was next to Pelosi, his creativity, facilitation, and playmaking were on full display. When he is in the right situation, he has the potential to be a solid two-way forward.
Cooke: The potential is certainly there for the 19-year-old Hendrickson. While he wasn’t at the top of my standout list, the 2023 draft pick fit right in with the batch of prospects at development camp. He didn’t dazzle with his skating, but he had good hands and looked smooth with the puck.Â
Oskar Jellvik
Age: 21
Draft: 2021, 5th, 149
2023-24 Team: Boston College (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 41GP, 13G, 29A, 42 Pts
2024-25 Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Calautti: Jellvik was my favorite prospect at development camp. His skating is incredible, with the kind of acceleration, agility, and edgework that scouts salivate over. When the puck is on his stick, he has the ability to speed past defenders and stop on a dime, creating time and space for himself to show off his impressive skills as a passer. He’s the type of facilitator who thinks the game one or two steps ahead, finding passing seams and springing his teammates on breaks they may not have had with lesser players. He was the MVP of Thursday’s scrimmage and is poised for a massive year at BC.
Cooke: Just behind Duran, Jellvik was a close second on my development camp radar. While he’s just 5’10”, don’t let his stature fool you. Jellvik plays a hard-nosed game, not afraid to barrel into the corners and win a puck battle. He was one of the more elusive forwards on the sheet, making it extremely difficult for the opposition to strip the puck from his tape. And that made good things happen. He scored the first goal of Thursday’s scrimmage on a net drive to the blue paint and was all over the ice in the three-on-three drills. Adam McQuaid said Jellvik made one of the biggest jumps of the prospects since last season, and he’ll be a player to monitor as he returns to Chestnut Hill for a junior season.
Dean Letourneau
Age: 18
Draft: 2024 1st round pick, 25th overall
2023-24 Team: St. Andrews (U18 AAA)
2023-24 Stats: 56GP, 61G, 66A, 127 Pts
2024-25 Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Calautti: There was no player at development camp with more eyes on them than 2024 first-round pick Dean Letourneau. The 6’7” center needs to put some weight and work on some things, but my first impression of him is overwhelmingly positive. For someone of his size to have the poise and handles around the net that he does is absolutely absurd. His hands are soft, and his stick-handling is already advanced enough for his age. His skating will require some work, but given his frame, he has impressive strides that allow him to blow past opponents and engage them in the rush. He’ll need to get stronger, but his combination of size, skating, and finesse is as tantalizing as any prospect in Boston’s system. He will take some time, but he has the hallmarks of a potential home run.Â
Cooke: As Matthew Poitras put it after day one of camp, the 6’7” Letourneau is a “big dude.” After a slow start to the week, Letourneau seemed to shine in the final two days of camp when he could showcase his raw abilities in game situations. His hands are about as good as it gets, and paired with an ultra-wide reach, created a nightmare for the goaltending corp. He executed a few jaw-dropping dangles on Thursday with some slick finishes, revealing his first-round pick aura. However, the lengthy center is certainly a work in progress. While his size stands out, he was getting knocked off the puck numerous times the first few days, almost taken by surprise of the physicality on the ice. He seemed to adapt well as the week went on, but I’d like to see the rising Boston College freshman use that size to his advantage on net drives and in the corners as he develops. But through the short sample size we’ve seen, Letourneau looks to be a great pick at #25.
Dans Locmelis
Age: 20
Draft: 2022, 4th, 119
2023-24 Team: UMass (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 30GP, 7G, 7A, 14 Pts
2024-25 Team: UMass (NCAA)
Calautti: It’s easy to see why the Bruins selected Locmelis in the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s a smooth skater who can transition between straight-line speed and East-West agility with the best of them. The Latvia native is an excellent passer with great hands and an enviable ability to stickhandle through traffic. He needs to add some muscle and strength, but with a year of college hockey already under his belt, look for Locmelis to make an Oskar Jellvik-like jump in his sophomore season at UMass.Â
Cooke: The skill on Locmelis is impossible to miss. With ultra-soft hands and a knack for scoring in tight, the rising UMass junior is a name to watch in your programs across Hockey East next fall. He didn’t necessarily stand out in the full ice scrimmage, but he excelled in the three-on-three drills with his quickness and scoring touch. I’d wait to see what he does this winter before concluding on the 2022 pick.Â
Adam Mechura
Age: 21
Draft: Free Agent Signing
2023-24 Team: Maine Mariners (ECHL)
2023-24 Stats: 63GP, 22G, 26A, 48 Pts
2024-25 Team: TBD (ECHL or AHL)
Calautti: Mechura may not have been at the top of anyone’s ‘who-to-watch’ list at the start of development camp, but he quietly had one of the best weeks of any forward. Mechura (6’5″) was one of the few tall skaters who showed finesse with the puck on his stick, a combination of quickness and speed, and a strong forechecking/board battle game. He’s physically mature, has some skill in his game, and (most importantly) has improved at every level he’s played. Look for him to stay on Don Sweeney’s radar and perhaps take a Justin Brazeau-esque path to the pros.
Cooke: Mechura is perhaps my sleeper pick of development camp. At 6’5″, I was impressed with how Mechura moved with and without the puck throughout camp. A strong, powerful forward, he looked polished in small-area battle drills, where he outmuscled defenders in puck battles. After playing most of the season with the Maine Mariners last season, I’m interested to see where Mechura ends up for his second professional season. I don’t think a leap to the AHL is out of the question.
Jonathan Morello
Age: 17
Draft: 2024 5th round pick, 154th overall
2023-24 Team: St. Michael’s (OJHL)
2023-24 Stats: 50GP, 25G, 32A, 57 Pts
2024-25 Team: St. Michael’s (OJHL)
Calautti: Jonathan Morello can absolutely fly. With no Fabian Lysell at development camp, Morello was clearly the fastest skater from a purely straight-line speed standpoint. I know it’s a cliched term, but Morello also has the kind of silky hands that get crowds cheering. He’s small but isn’t afraid to play a big man’s game. I can’t tell you how excited I am about his potential because if he gets stronger, he already has the speed and skill to hack it at the pro level.
Cooke: The newly named Bruin showed a lot of promise on the ice last week at Warrior. A polished skater, Morello is a quick and dynamic forward who really impressed me for his age. He’ll be someone to monitor when he hits the collegiate landscape in 2025-26 at Clarkson University.
Casper Nässén
Age: 20
Draft: 2023 7th round pick, 214th overall
2023-24 Team: Frölunda (J20 Nationell)
2023-24 Stats: 41GP, 16G, 15A, 31 Pts
2024-25 Team: Miami (OH) (NCAA)
Calautti: NässĂ©n was somewhat of a face in the crowd for me at this year’s camp. He had a few bright spots where he showed off his excellent wrist shot and goal-scoring ability but faded into the background during scrimmage drills. He was injured for parts of this season, so hopefully, a healthy year will allow him to progress in his development.
Cooke: I’ll admit, NässĂ©n wasn’t exactly on my radar when I headed into development camp last week. But after four days of watching the 2023 pick play, I’m certainly intrigued at his upside. While I wasn’t necessarily watching him specifically, there were numerous times when he slung a laser into the back of the net that turned heads at Warrior. He’s another player whose current status will be gauged by college. NässĂ©n is slated to attend Miami University (Ohio) this season.
Jaxon Nelson
Age: 24
Draft: Free Agent Signing
2023-24 Team: Minnesota (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 39GP, 19G, 12A, 31 Pts
2024-25 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)
Calautti: Nelson was one of the players who took advantage of his physical maturity at development camp. At 24, he was clearly bigger and stronger than his peers, using that to his advantage in battle drills and front of the net. He’s a good skater for his size but has no particularly outstanding skills on offense. He’ll look to add some of those tools to his toolbox in Providence next season.
Cooke: Nelson was one of the more raw talents in the forward group, coming off a quick seven-game appearance in the AHL last season after inking an entry-level contract with the Bruins out of college. At 6′ 4″, Nelson was strong on pucks and hard to play against, but I think more time in Providence will allow his skills to fully translate to the professional game.
Matt Poitras
Age: 20
Draft: 2022 2nd round pick, 54th overall
2023-24 Team: Boston Bruins (NHL)
2023-24 Stats: 33GP, 5G, 10A, 15 Pts
2024-25 Team: Boston Bruins (NHL)
Calautti: What can I say about Matt Poitras that hasn’t already been said? He was far and away the best player at development camp, and exhibited the kind of speed and skill combination that made even press box writers turn their heads. He didn’t take part in the scrimmage because the team is bringing him along slowly after a shoulder injury last season, but he seems to be on track to be a full participant at training camp. There’s no reason you shouldn’t expect big things from Matt Poitras next season.
Cooke: To no one’s surprise, Poitras looked the most “NHL ready” of all the participants that took the ice last week. Poitras looked like he hadn’t missed a beat in the final stages of rehab from his shoulder injury that sidelined him in his rookie season in Boston. While he didn’t suit up for the scrimmage on the final day of camp (maintenance), Poitras reminded Bruins brass why he cracked the lineup as a 19-year-old last fall. He’s quick, intelligent, and protects the puck well for his size. He told reporters he’d gained nearly ten pounds in his recovery process in an attempt to be stronger and take heavy hits more easily. He’ll likely anchor Boston’s third line this season and, if healthy, could very well go nuclear. Time will tell.
Owen Pederson
Age: 22
Draft: Free Agent Signing
2023-24 Team: Maine Mariners (ECHL)
2023-24 Stats: 54GP, 13G, 12A, 25 Pts
2024-25 Team: TBD (ECHL or AHL)
Calautti: Pederson is another skater Don Sweeney took a flier on due to his size and stature. He’s strong on the puck and has no problem putting his head down and bowling through defenders to get to the net. He’s still somewhat raw, but there’s some serious upside there if he can improve his skating. I expect him to push for a spot in Providence and become a bottom-six staple for the AHL affiliate.
Cooke: Another name that was not necessarily on my radar, Pederson did some good things throughout the four-day camp. Another big frame in 6 ‘4″, 196 pounds, the undrafted forward skated well and was strong on pucks. After being a late-season call-up to Providence last season, it could be possible to see him in a more full-time role there for his second year in the professional circuit.
Chris Pelosi
Age: 19
Draft: 2023 3rd round pick, 92th overall
2023-24 Team: Sioux Falls (USHL)
2023-24 Stats: 56GP, 21G, 34A, 55 Pts
2024-25 Team: Quinnipiac (NCAA)
Calautti: At last year’s development camp, Chris Pelosi was my standout as the best player from his draft class. A year later, he’s bigger, faster, and a much more polished hockey player. Pelosi is a very intelligent skater, moving well away from the puck and finding inside when in the offensive zone. He can absolutely laser the puck when given space and looked like a top prospect when skating with Beckett Hendrickson in the three-on-three drills. Pelosi will be a blast to watch at Quinnipiac this fall.
Cooke: The fast and tenacious Pelosi was one of my favorite players to watch. He excelled in the three-on-three portion of camp, making smart decisions with the puck while utilizing his speed to get a strong first step on his defender. He had great patience, resulting in a lot of textbook passing plays with his teammates. Adam McQuaid told the media that he looked visibly stronger and is in a good spot heading to Quinnipiac this fall.Â
Jake Schmaltz
Age: 23
Draft: 2019 7th round pick, 192nd overall
2023-24 Team: North Dakota (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 36GP, 1G, 10A, 11 Pts
2024-25 Team: North Dakota (NCAA)
Calautti: Schmaltz has been to plenty of development camps before and may be nearing the end of his time with the organization. He’s a gifted skater who puts 100 percent effort into every shift, but he doesn’t have any attributes that make him stand out. That could change with a good season at North Dakota, but a lot needs to go right for Schmaltz.
Cooke: A 2019 draft pick, Schmaltz has certainly been around the block in the Bruins organization, and therefore, development camp wasn’t exactly new to him. His experience was evident in most of the drills as the North Dakota forward was fast and had a knack for being in the right spot. However, I don’t necessarily see Schmaltz as a part of Boston’s plans moving forward.Â
Cole Spicer
Age: 20
Draft: 2022 4th round pick, 117th overall
2023-24 Team: Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 17GP, 5G, 4A, 9 Pts
2024-25 Team: Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
Calautti: Spicer exhibited all the qualities that the Bruins Brass love in their centers. He’s a tenacious forechecker, plays with an edge, and is committed to playing a full 200-foot game. His skating has improved since the last development camp, and he’s evolved into a much more creative playmaker. To cement himself in this organization, he must continue his upward trajectory at Minnesota-Duluth this season.
Cooke: Spicer was at the top of my list in terms of forwards who stood out. While he isn’t the biggest player, he was one of the more hard-nosed players on the ice at Warrior, buzzing around for loose pucks and being aggressive on the forecheck. As one of the more offensively gifted skaters, his smooth hands and high IQ were on full display in the compete drills later in the week. I’d look for Spicer to have a huge year with Minnesota-Duluth next season.
Gleb Veremyev
Age: 21
Draft: Invite
2023-24 Team: Colorado College (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 37GP, 15G, 13A, 28 Pts
2024-25 Team: Colorado College (NCAA)
Calautti: Veremeyev is massive; that much is clear. The 6’4″ 21-year-old looked comfortable in his body, using his size and strength to his advantage in battle drills and creating space at the net front. His shot was noticeable, and his skating was serviceable, but my biggest concern with him was his finesse. I have no doubt that his skating will take a step forward next season; it’s just a matter of whether he can continue to get stronger and improve his play with the puck on his stick.
Cooke: In my eyes, Veremyev was the most polished invite among the group of forwards. Another big player at 6 ‘4″, 206 pounds, the Colorado College rising junior, looked to have a versatile skill set. And after a successful sophomore campaign in the NCAA last season, he’s clearly someone Don Sweeney and co. have their eyes on. Â
Ryan Walsh
Age: 20
Draft: 2023 6th round pick, 188th overall
2023-24 Team: Cornell (NCAA)
2023-24 Stats: 35GP, 12G, 10A, 22 Pts
2024-25 Team: Cornell (NCAA)
Calautti: The one thing I’ve noticed about Ryan Walsh is that he can flat-out laser the puck. He has a lightning-quick release, showing that he can release a dangerous shot while stationary or moving. He scored most of his goals on the powerplay at Cornell, and he needs to work on being more visible during even-strength play. He has things to work on but has the kind of upside you love to see in a late-round pick.
Cooke: The 2023 pick didn’t necessarily blow me away, but the 20-year-old is on the right track after a solid freshman season at Cornell and lighting up the USHL with 79 points in 61 games with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders the year prior. I’m sure it won’t be Walsh’s last development camp, so he would be someone to reevaluate next summer.
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