By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
The 2025 NHL trade deadline was very dramatic for the Boston Bruins and the fanbase. The team waved the white flag on a lost season and signaled the beginning of a new era by moving several stalwart veterans who had been fixtures in the lineup. Among them was Charlie Coyle, who Boston shipped to the Cup-contending Colorado Avalanche for a package of assets headlined by promising young forward prospect Will Zellers.
A third-round pick from the 2024 NHL Draft, Zellers was coming off a dominant draft year with Shattuck St Mary’s (57-54-111 in 54 games), and in the midst of another strong season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) at the time of his trade to Boston. His arrival instantly added some buzz to a prospect pipeline that had been among the driest in the league for quite some time, and he knows exactly the opportunity that the change of scenery provides.
Bruins fans have plenty to be excited about with Zellers, especially after the year he just put together. Zellers set the USHL on fire in his first full season with Green Bay, scoring 44-27-71 in 52 games, leading the league in goalscoring as well as shots on goal (214). His goalscoring title becomes even more impressive when you consider that he missed 10 games due to injury and still finished with a double-digit lead over second place. His end-of-year accolade haul included being named to the All-USHL First Team, USHL Forward of the Year, USHL Player of the Year, and USA Hockey’s Dave Tyler National Junior Player of the Year.
As you could probably assume, Zellers loves to shoot the puck early and often, but that isn’t the only dimension to his game. The Hockey Writers described Zellers as a player who sees the game on a whole different level and uses his speed and stick handling to create scoring chances for his teammates just as often as himself. Development Camp in June was the first time Bruins fans got to take a closer look at Zellers, and he caught everyone’s attention right away. Black n’ Gold Hockey colleague Tom Calautti praised several aspects of his game, especially his shot:
“I’ve never seen a scorer so polished and efficient at such a young age. The only way to describe Zellers’ release is lethal. He’s able to laser pucks in a split second or less, using both deception and speed to create space for the lightning-quick release. Whenever the puck is on his stick, you’d better be watching because something impactful could happen.
Despite being a bit undersized, Zellers has a high motor and a really solid compete level. He isn’t afraid to play the body or get gritty with his game. He needs work away from the puck and as a passer, but man, can he score.”
Zellers is arriving in Grand Forks while the Fighting Hawks are in a period of transition. The program parted ways with head coach Brad Berry last spring after 10 seasons, elevating longtime assistant Dane Jackson to be the new bench boss. Jackson has been tasked with rebuilding a North Dakota lineup after 15 offseason departures, including a significant chunk of their forward group. Only four forwards are returning from their season-ending NCHC Semifinal loss to Western Michigan last March, including just one from the top six.
As wide open as the lineup may seem, top-line minutes may not be a guarantee for Zellers right off the hop. Fellow incoming freshman Cole Reschny, Clarkson transfer Ellis Rickwood, Minnesota-Duluth transfer Anthony Menghini, and several other holdovers will also be in contention for those open slots in the new-look Fighting Hawks squad.
If recent history has taught us anything, the most successful teams in college hockey are the oldest and the biggest, and the NCHC has had plenty of them. Zellers is going to get a crash course early playing against bigger, stronger, and more experienced competition, but with the skill he possesses, it’s only a matter of time before he’s bringing fans in The Ralph to their feet.
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