By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter/X @TCalauttis
Labor Day weekend is here, which means Boston Bruins hockey is right around the corner. With rookie camp beginning next week and training camp the week after, it’s time for the Black and Gold to begin getting their affairs in order for the 2026-27 regular season.
One issue Boston’s management and coaching staff will have to address this fall is how many defensemen will make their opening-night roster. The Bruins head into the season with most of their defenders from last year, including Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Mason Lohrei, Jonathan Aspirot, Henri Jokiharju, and Jordan Harris.
In addition to those seven, General Manager Don Sweeney added two additional names to the fold by bringing back former Bruin Connor Clifton in free agency and adding Will Borgen via trade. Each of those 9 individuals will be battling for a roster spot come training camp, but there’s one other defenseman who could shake things up and make a name for himself.
Enter Frederic Brunet, a 23-year-old left-shot defenseman from Quebec. Sweeney and the Bruins’ scouting team drafted Brunet in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL draft with the 132nd overall pick. The 6’3″ blue-liner spent his early years in the QMJHL, where he amassed 29-99-128 across five seasons and 163 games. After the 2022-23 season, Brunet moved up to the Providence Bruins, where he has spent the last three full seasons.
What makes Brunet such an exciting and intriguing prospect is his ability to improve year over year in the Bruins’ system. His first full season in Providence saw him play 48 games and post 2-10-12 and a plus-9 while adjusting to the pro style of play. In his sophomore season, he improved in every category, posting 5-20-25 and a plus-15 across 69 games.
Over those first two seasons, the youngster improved every facet of the game, including his ability as an on-puck defender and puck mover. His continued hard work and dedication led to a massive leap this past season, when Brunet put up 12-24-36 and a career-best plus-18.
The up-and-coming defenseman may have put up career-highs across the board, but he believes it wasn’t just his offense that took a step in the right direction. Earlier this week, he appeared on NESN’s “The Hockey Hub” and talked about how he feels his game is rounding into form, and that he’s ready to compete for a roster spot.
“Last year was a really good year for me. I was playing some big minutes, and I was trying to improve my defense a lot, and I think it worked out in a good way,” said Brunet. “Last year was probably the biggest year for me as a pro hockey player; that was the biggest step I took in my career… I’m feeling confident, I’m feeling great… I definitely feel more ready than ever, and I’m ready to make a push.”
It’s always encouraging when a player has confidence in himself, but when the coaching staff surrounding you begins singing your praises, you know you’ve done something right. Newly hired Providence Bruins Head Coach Trent Whitfield has been with Brunet since the blue-liner first appeared in Rhode Island, and he had nothing but good things to say about his player during his introductory press conference.
“He was probably our best defenseman from day one right through the end of the season,” said Whitfield. He’s well on his way; now he just needs a little bit of runway in Boston… He’s ready to go, mentally, physically, and in his skill set; he’s an NHL player.”
Calling Brunet the team’s best defenseman was no small compliment from the new AHL bench boss. Last season, the Providence Bruins went an unbelievable 56-16-12 in the regular season, setting the AHL record for most wins in a 72-game regular season; for Brunet to be the best defender on a team that dominant speaks volumes about his game and his potential.
But it’s not just the minor-league coaching staff that’s sung the praises of Brunet; it’s Bruins management as a whole. In a June press conference before this year’s NHL Draft, Don Sweeney went out of his way to praise his best defensive prospect and highlight just how far he’s come.
“(Brunet) has done a really good job. I think he’s put himself on our radar now to really push for an NHL opportunity,” said Sweeney in his pre-draft presser. “He’s had the one (NHL) game, but you see his game continue to grow. He’s rounded out defensively. He values that part of the game, whereas before, when we first got him, it was go, go, go. But now we like the aggressiveness of the offensive blue line.”
Despite all the excitement surrounding the player, earning a roster spot on this Bruins team won’t be a cakewalk. As a left-shot, Brunet will already be stuck behind veterans Lindholm and Zadorov. That means he’ll be stuck battling with Mason Lohrei, Jordan Harris, and last season’s breakout player, Jonathan Aspirot for the last spot in the top six.
There are very few givens on this season’s Bruins roster, and Head Coach Marco Sturm has made it clear that everyone needs to earn their stripes to get a shot at the pro level. But if Brunet continues his rock-solid play and can elevate his game in training camp, he may find himself with a full-time job in Boston.
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