(Photo Credit: Tom Calautti/Black N’ Gold Hockey)

By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis

Warrior Ice Arena played host to the first on-ice activities of the season for the 2024-25 iteration of the Boston Bruins. Players from throughout the organization dusted off their skates and donned the spoked-B for the first time as they attended the first captain’s practice of the (still technically) summer.

The biggest stories of the day involved Jeremy Swayman, Brad Marchand, and Matt Poitras, but there was plenty to see for the rest of the attendees. Over 25 skaters and three goaltenders took the ice this morning with different goals in mind. Some were established roster players looking to get up to speed for the season; some were rookies trying to prove their mettle to Bruins brass, and some were unsigned veterans trying to find work at the NHL level. Whatever the case, Boston had excellent attendance, which yielded some exciting developments.

Standouts

It’s easy to tell that Mason Lohrei feels confident after his superb playoff performance at the end of last season. The second-year defender looked assertive with the puck on his stick, eager to take on defenders and navigate through traffic. He may still be a bit risky at his blue line, but you have to love his poise and belief in himself.

Max Jones is going to be a fan-favorite in Boston. He’s like a dog on raw meat with his puck pursuit, combining his size and speed to make life difficult on opposing defenders. The puck seems to be velcroed to his stick below the goal line, and his size (6’3″) allows him to box out defenders and dominate possession.

Georgii Merkulov is going to push hard for a roster spot this season. The Russian center showed off his creativity and skill with the puck, wheeling and dealing throughout the offensive zone, creating scoring chances, and finding seams wherever he looked. He’s been working out this offseason with phenom forward Matvei Michkov, and after averaging almost a point per game in Providence, he’s ready for the big time.

Highlights

  • Riley Duran had the most impressive goal of the afternoon. The Woburn native was at the top of the circle in his own zone when a puck squirted out in between the two defensemen at the point. Duran blistered by both players and scored a five-hole breakaway goal.
  • Georgii Merkulov put his silky mitts to work, dangling through several defenders and fluttering a backhander on the net, which Justin Brazeau buried for a goal.
  • Brett Harrison won a foot race and muscled a backhand to Max Jones, who sauced the puck over the netminder’s shoulder à la Jake DeBrusk in the shootout.

Quick Shifts

  • Andrew Peeke showed off some impressive skating ability in transition and some nifty stickhandling. He and Lohrei should be fun to watch this year.
  • Riley Duran is incredible to me because whenever you think he’s reached his ceiling at a certain level of hockey, he proves you wrong almost instantly. Keep an eye on him as a dark horse to make the roster out of camp or get some time this season.
  • Elias Lindholm made his first appearance at practice and was shown significant praise by Charlie McAvoy after practice.
  • Chris Wagner was a surprise at practice, although spotting him wasn’t that difficult. The Massachusetts native was still sporting his maroon and white colors from his recent stint with the Colorado Avalanche.
  • Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic skated together to start the scrimmage portion of camp. If Fabian Lysell doesn’t win the second-line winger position, you have to wonder if Frederic could be in line for a promotion.
  • Brett Harrison impressed me today. He showcased improved vision and had no problem with the tempo of practice. I’ve wanted him to be more assertive and noticeable when he’s on the ice, and he certainly did that today.