By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
After a short break for the Holidays, the weekly Bruins Prospect Update is back! This week marks arguably the most important event on the Hockey prospect calendar, with the World Junior Championships kicking off in Minnesota. B’s prospects James Hagens and Will Zellers have played big roles in Team USA’s successful start to the tournament. But how did everyone else do this week?
Europe
Kirill Yemelyanov this week for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL): Two games played, one goal, no penalties, +1 rating.
Juniors
Cole Chandler this week for the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL): One game played, no points, two penalty minutes, Even Plus/Minus.
Cooper Simpson this week for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): Two games played, two assists, no penalties, -1 rating.
Simpson continues to impress on the ice, but has also been involved in the community. Simpson has partnered with the Akron Children’s Hospital to form an initiative called “Coop Cares”, allowing families facing medical challenges to attend a Youngstown Phantoms game. You can read more about the program here.
NCAA
Kristian Kostadinski this week for Boston College (Hockey East): One game played, no points, no penalties, -1 rating.
Dean Letourneau this week for Boston College (Hockey East): One game played, one goal, no penalties, +1 rating.
Letourneau dressed as BC’s 1st-line Center last night with Hagens and Teddy Stiga away at the World Juniors. He scored a goal late against the reigning National Champions, Western Michigan, to cut the deficit to 4-3. Unfortunately, he accidentally scored on his own net a few seconds later, in a 5-3 loss. Still, an encouraging game for the 2024 1st-round draft pick.
William Moore this week for Boston College (Hockey East): One game played, one assist, no penalties, -1 rating.
Casper Nassen this week for Miami (OH) University (NCHC): One game played, no points, no penalties, Even Plus/Minus.
Providence
Providence only had one game this week, against the Springfield Thunderbirds. The P-Bruins blew out Springfield 7-1, getting two goals from Matt Poitras, and goals from Dans Locmelis, Brett Harrison, Patrick Brown, Georgii Merkulov, and Ty Gallagher. Luke Cavallin picked up his first win with Providence, making 25 saves.
Spengler Cup
Both Chris Pelosi and Ryan Walsh are currently in Switzerland, playing for the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup. After two games, neither player has a point. The Selects dropped game one to Team Canada 3-2, before bouncing back against HC Davos, one of the top teams in the Swiss Pro League, with a 5-2 victory. They will face the Czech Team Sparta Prague tomorrow.
World Juniors
Will Zellers is destroying the World Junior Championship. In two games against Team Germany and Team Switzerland, Zellers has three goals and an assist, and is a +4. Two of those three goals have been game-winners. James Hagens hasn’t been quite as productive, with only two assists in the same time frame, but still impressive. Team USA will take on Team Slovakia tonight at 6 P.M. Eastern. Meanwhile, Vashek Blanar is yet to be registered for Team Czechia, who still has a roster spot open.
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