By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow Me on Twitter / X @KennyKaminskyy
Unfortunately, Elliott Groenewold had to begin his Boston Bruins career with some National Hockey League Entry Draft controversy on day two of the festivities held at the Shere in Las Vegas, Nevada, in late June of this year. The Bruins traded forward Jakub Lauko and their 2024 122nd pick (Aron Kiviharju) to the Minnesota Wild for veteran forward Vinni Lettieri and the Wild’s 2024 110th pick.
Fans on social media were outraged to see Lauko traded for a depth forward and a slightly higher draft pick. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney saw a player he didn’t think would be available in the fourth round and pounced on the opportunity. If the fans get to know Groenewold, they’ll understand why Sweeney made this trade.
Groenewold, a 6-foot-2, 201-pound defenseman, was drafted by the Cape Breton Eagles in 2022 in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Draft but opted to play in the United States Hockey League with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders to protect his NCAA eligibility. Groenewold is no stranger to New England, as he was born a Bruins fan and a native of Bellows Falls, Vermont. Although born in the US, he played high school hockey in Canada for Bishop’s College School.
He played one season with Cedar Rapids in the USHL and tallied five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 57 games. For a physical yet mobile defenseman, 16 points is awe-inspiring, especially for a rookie in the toughest junior league in the United States. If fans watched Groenewold last season, they would realize he is the epitome of the Big Bad Bruin identity. It is also important to note that USA Hockey invited Groenewold to play in the World Junior A Challenge. He showed grit and physicality in his limited role and even registered an assist en route to a bronze medal.
The 18-year-old Groenewold committed to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, which is only two hours outside of Boston, so Sweeney and his staff can closely monitor his development. Sweeney is notorious for appearing at college hockey games to see the Bruins’s future front and center. Now, the Bruins management has two reasons for making the trip. Boston’s 2023 3rd-round pick Chris Pelosi committed to Quinnipiac and is set to kick off his freshman campaign this fall.
Quinnipiac is the perfect landing spot for the developing blueliner, as Bobcats Head Coach Rand Pecknold has developed many defensemen like Groenewold into well-rounded and confident offensive defensemen. It’s common to see a player like Groenewold end up on Quinnipiac’s doorstep. His stats and play style are comparable to those of Bobcat alums such as AHL Champion Chase Priskie, Former Bruin and current Sabre Connor Clifton, and Stanley Cup Champion Devon Toews. All these players mentioned above were mobile and physical defensemen with limited offensive upside until they got to Quinnipiac.
Elliott Groenewold will be a perfect fit for the Bobcats this season. He will likely play across from Detroit Red Wings draftee Cooper Moore or Carolina Hurricanes draftee Charles Alexis-Legault on the second pairing, with the potential to be on the second power-play unit. A high point of Rand Pecknold’s coaching skills is keeping good players around for four or more years.
This is crucial since the Bruins have a rock-solid defensive core, with Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Brandon Carlo having contracts with four-plus years remaining. In the meantime, there is very little chance of any defensive prospects getting a shot at the NHL roster. As soon as Groenewold crosses the finish line of his college career, he will be much more likely to play a role on the Boston Bruins. Nonetheless, fans should be very excited to follow Elliott Groenewold’s development.
Leave a Reply