By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
The 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft was filled with unrealized potential and will likely be remembered as one of Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney’s worst. It’s important to discuss this because drafting players can be incredibly challenging. Despite the disappointing results, the Boston Bruins managed to acquire one of their team’s cornerstones, who was not selected until after the first two rounds.
Pick #18 – Defensemen – Urho Vaakanainen
Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced that defenseman Urho Vaakanainen was selected as the 18th pick in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Vaakanainen was an underage player in the Finnish Liiga. During that season, he recorded six points in 46 games, which may not seem impressive, but it’s notable considering he was just 18 years old and competing against experienced adults. The Finnish native also represented his national team three times at the World Junior Championship, and Finland won a gold medal in one of those tournaments.
After being drafted, Vaakanainen played one more season in the Finnish Liiga before moving overseas to join the Bruins organization full-time. During his first season, Urho was called to the NHL for a brief stint, but he was sent back down just two games later. Nonetheless, the young defenseman gained valuable experience playing at the NHL level. That season would be his best in Providence, where he recorded 14 points in 30 games. Unfortunately, the remainder of his career with the Bruins would prove to be insignificant.
Boston, a team known for rarely giving young players opportunities, allowed Urho Vaakanainen ample time to adapt to the NHL. In 2022, he had an impressive run with the Bruins, scoring four points in 15 games during his limited role before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks as part of the Hampus Lindholm deal. Last season, Vaakanainen secured a full-time position with the Ducks, playing in 68 games and recording 14 points. Urho was recently traded to the New York Rangers, where he serves as a fringe bottom-two defenseman. He has been selected to represent Team Finland at the Four Nations Face-Off.
Pick #53 – Forward – Jack Studnicka
Jack Studnicka was considered a steal when he was chosen with the 53rd pick. He demonstrated significant offensive potential in the Ontario Hockey League with the Oshawa Generals. Studnicka possessed an impressive combination of skill, hockey IQ, and, most importantly, leadership on the Generals’ team. His talent was recognized when Hockey Canada invited him to represent the country in the World Junior Championship, where he scored four points in five games. Unfortunately, Canada experienced a heartbreaking loss in the tournament, which is remembered as one of the worst moments in Canadian hockey history. Islanders standout Noah Dobson had his stick shatter while facing an open net, leading to an odd-man rush the other way. Finland’s Toni Utunen ultimately sent the Canadians home early.
Jack Studnicka began his career with the Providence Bruins the following year, where he had a standout performance, scoring 49 points in 60 games. In the 2020-21 season, he was promoted to the NHL, playing 20 games but only scoring 3 points before being sent back down. He bounced between the NHL and the American Hockey League throughout his career. Eventually, the Bruins decided to trade the Canadian forward to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for fellow Team Canada member Michael DiPietro. Last year, he played for the San Jose Sharks but is currently part of the Los Angeles Kings organization. Jack Studnicka remains a “what could have been” story for the Bruins; he demonstrated immense talent in the minors but struggled to translate that success to the NHL level.
Pick 111 – Goaltender – Jeremy Swayman
You’ll recognize Jeremy Swayman. After playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede, he was drafted from the United States Hockey League. Swayman had an impressive season, achieving a .914 save percentage, even though his team’s record of 7-18-5 did not accurately reflect his high level of play. The Alaska native committed to the University of Maine, where he continued to stand out. The 6-foot-3 netminder accumulated numerous accolades during his time there. Again, his team’s performance did not mirror his outstanding .939 save percentage during his sophomore year. By the end of that season, he earned a Bronze Medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championship. Additionally, he was named to the Hockey East All-American First Team. He capped off this remarkable season by winning the Mike Richter Award for the best goalie in college hockey.
After an incredible season at Maine, Swayman played just nine games in the AHL before finishing the season with the Boston Bruins. In 10 appearances with the Bruins, he posted an impressive .945 save percentage. From then on, Jeremy never looked back and solidified his role as the team’s starting goaltender. Since joining the Bruins, Swayman has only improved with each passing year. Jeremy Swayman was undoubtedly the best pick for the Bruins in this draft and is widely regarded as the steal of the draft at pick 111.
Pick 157 – Forward – Cedric Pare
After a solid season with the St. John’s Sea Dogs, the Boston Bruins decided to take a chance on forward Cedric Pare. Although Pare was still a work in progress, his raw potential made him a worthwhile selection. That season, he recorded 16 points in 64 games. Standing 6’3″, the left winger’s physical presence made him a formidable force on the ice. Despite a few productive seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Bruins ultimately chose not to offer Pare a contract.
Cedric signed with the Utah Grizzlies in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Pare earned a role with the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League (AHL) the following season. However, he had a challenging season in which he was often scratched from the lineup, prompting his return to the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers. He had a fantastic start there, scoring 10 points in nine games, which led to a call-up to the Colorado Eagles, where he spent the last two seasons. He is signed with the Toronto Marlies and worked hard to secure a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster out of training camp, but to no avail. Recently, he found himself in trouble after injuring Montreal Canadiens forward Patrick Laine. Although Pare did not play a game with the Bruins, he successfully built a solid career.
Pick 195 – Defensemen – Victor Berglund
Victor Berglund was a promising player who demonstrated significant potential but was still a work in progress. After advancing through MODO Hockey, a prominent Swedish hockey club, the Boston Bruins selected Berglund with their 195th pick. During the 2017-18 season, he recorded 18 points in 23 games as an underage player at the U20 level. He also represented Team Sweden on the international stage, although he registered only one point in the tournament.
The Swedish defenseman spent one season in the United States before returning to Scandinavia permanently. During that season, he struggled to adjust to the North American style of play but still managed to record 18 points in 46 games with the Providence Bruins. Additionally, he played with their East Coast Hockey League affiliate, the Maine Mariners, where he scored four points in three games. He plays in the Finnish Liiga for Karpat, where he accumulated 17 points in 53 games last season before signing back with MODO, this year.
Pick 204 – Defensemen – Daniel Bukac
Don Sweeney’s staff selected Daniel Bukac with the 204th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, the last selection made by the Boston Bruins. Bukac is originally from the Czech Republic, but he played in the Western Hockey League for the Brandon Wheat Kings at the time of the draft. During that season, he recorded eight points in 39 games. The following season, he moved to the Ontario Hockey League, joining the Niagara IceDogs, where he scored 15 points in 54 games. After finishing his career in the Canadian Hockey League, he returned to his home country and has played there ever since. Last season, Bukac registered nine points in 32 games in the Czech Hockey League’s second division with HC Orli Znojmo.
For those entering the virtual casino landscape, free chip no deposit is an approachable introduction, allowing players to explore diverse games without financial commitment. The absence of an initial deposit requirement amplifies their appeal, making them an attractive option for those seeking an immersive yet cautious gaming experience. Please gamble responsibly.
Leave a Reply