By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
Not many defensemen can jump right into college hockey at 18 years old, let alone average nearly 20 minutes a night like Elliott Groenewold did in his freshman year at Quinnipiac. Groenewold, a fourth-round pick from the 2024 NHL Draft, is no stranger to climbing the ranks quickly and facing older competition, jumping from Bishop’s College School (QC) to the USHL, and then the NCAA in three years.
That adaptability made him an almost immediate asset for Rand Pecknold’s staff, appearing in all 38 games as a freshman en route to a fifth consecutive ECAC regular-season title. Groenewold built off his strong first impression by setting career highs across the board as a sophomore, taking home ECAC Defensive Defenseman of the Year and All-Conference First Team honors, and leading the nation with a +39 rating, the best mark of any skater in a decade. The Bobcats secured another Cleary Cup as ECAC regular-season champions but fell one game short of the Frozen Four.
Despite his individual and team success, as well as his track record for quick progression, Groenewold announced early in the offseason that he was returning to Quinnipiac for his junior year. “I think it was a pretty easy decision for me to go back and spend another year at Quinnipiac,” he said during Bruins Development Camp earlier this month. “I think I have some more to develop in my game and get better and kind of be more of a finished product once that time comes.”
Groenewold’s decision was motivated just as much by his peers as his development. He and fellow Bruins draft pick Chris Pelosi both joined the Bobcats at the same time, and have been close ever since. “He’s one of my best friends,” Groenewold said. “We’re roommates back at school, so we’re together all the time. We kind of grow together, we cook together, we do pretty much everything together. So, it’s pretty awesome. It’s special. I’m always happy for him when he’s scoring and doing well. I hope that someday we’re back in Boston together.” The duo, alongside now-captain Mason Marcellus, all chose to return to school around the same time, creating a domino effect that kept the Quinnipiac core largely intact, including Ethan Wyttenbach, the nation’s leading scorer from this past season.
That roster continuity gives Groenewold the opportunity to take the next stage in his development, from the best shutdown defenseman in the ECAC to one of the best in the nation. While Boston.com’s Conor Ryan described Groenewold as a minutes-eating, no-frills blueliner, he still finished second among Bobcats defensemen in points and led the group in goalscoring (7-13-20).
The offseason graduation of transfer defenseman Will Gilson leaves an opening on the power play, where Groenewold’s puck-moving ability could lead to more “eye-catching” point totals to go alongside his defensive acumen. Throw in the additional departures of star names like Cole Hutson, Erik Pohlkamp, and Jake Livanavage, and there’s a void among national defensemen that “Big E” could fill.
For now, Groenewold’s focus is on Hamden rather than Boston. But as he heads back to school for another shot at the Frozen Four, he leaves Boston with another reminder that his childhood dream may not be that far away. “Every year I come back here and get to throw the sweater on, it’s really special. I’ve been a Bruins fan my whole life, and now being a part of it and being in this facility is really a dream come true. Got to keep putting in the work, and hopefully I’ll be here someday.”
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