By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
While the Boston Bruins won’t be in action for about another month, their prospects elsewhere around the globe are preparing for the start of the 2026-2027 Hockey season. In Europe, preseason is underway, while junior teams in North America will start playing preseason games later this month. With the Bruins possessing more draft capital than in past seasons, they’ve naturally accumulated more prospects than they’ve had in the past. As a result, it can be difficult to keep tabs on who is actually still in the system, and where they play. So where are all the Bruins’ prospects playing this season?
Europe
Nils Bartholdsson: Rogle BK (SHL/U20 Nationell)
The Bruins drafted Nils Bartholdsson 88th overall this summer, after a strong draft year in Sweden, where he had 42 points in 32 games in the U20 Nationell. He also played in five regular-season games for Rogle’s SHL team, as well as three playoff contests. He has been participating in training camp with their senior men’s team, and will likely split time between their SHL and U20 teams again this season.
Vashek Blanar: HV71 (SHL/U20 Nationell)
Blanar is expected to return to HV71 again this season. Last year, Blanar spent most of the season with their U20 team, and I expect he’ll do the same this time around. He’s committed to UMass for 2027-2028, and although he dressed in three SHL games last season, I suspect he’ll spend most of his time with the U20’s to protect his NCAA eligibility.
It’s also worth noting that Blanar is likely to be a member of the Czech World Junior team, having played in several games for Czechia’s U20 and U19 National teams last season. He was also selected by the Youngstown Phantoms in this summer’s USHL Entry Draft, so it’s possible he could come over to North America at some point this season too.
Yuri Ivanov: MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)
The biggest shock of the 2026 Bruins Draft Class was undoubtedly the selection of Goaltender Yuri Ivanov 56th overall. Ivanov was not the starter for Spartak Moskva for most of last season; however, he was fantastic when called upon, posting a .928% save percentage in the MHL playoffs and leading his team to the Finals. He will return to the MHL this season, where he is likely to see a larger workload.
Matvei Kotkov: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL/MHL)
The B’s took Matvei Kotkov 104th overall this summer, and for good reason. Kotkov was teammates with fellow Bruins prospect Kirill Yemelyanov this past season, helping lead Loko Yaroslavl to the Kharlamov Cup Championship and becoming the youngest-ever Kharlamov Cup Playoff MVP in the process. Kotkov remains in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl organization and is signed through 2028 in Russia. He appeared in several KHL preseason games, scoring a shootout winner and adding a few assists. I suspect he’ll spend some time in both the KHL as well as the MHL, and perhaps the VHL too.
Oscar Olsson: Örebro HK U20 (U20 Nationell)
Oscar Olsson is another new addition to the Bruins’ prospect pool this season, having been selected 122nd overall by Boston this summer. Last year, the Huddinge, Sweden, native played mainly for Örebro’s U20 team, also spent some time with their U18 team, and played three games for Sweden’s U18 team, scoring a goal. With Örebro’s U20S, Olsson had 30 points in 32 regular-season games, adding five goals in 12 playoff contests.
He’s a big winger at 6’4″, 187lbs, and he’s expected to return to Örebro’s U20S again this season. It’s possible he could play a few pro games, but according to EliteProspects, he is on a junior contract, meaning he’s also eligible to go the NCAA route if he wanted to do so.
Liam Pettersson: Djurgardens IF (SHL/U20 Nationell)
Liam Pettersson spent last season in the Vaxjo organization, playing two SHL games and 19 games in the U20 Nationell with the U20 team. He also played one game for Kungälvs IK in HockeyEttan, the third tier of Pro Hockey in Sweden, where he scored a goal. This off-season, he signed with Djurgardens, and is expected to split time with both their SHL and U20 teams, having already played for both in pre-season.
Kirill Yemelyanov: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL/MHL)
Yemelyanov was the Bruins’ sixth-round pick last summer, and he had a solid 2025-26 season, registering 57 points in 55 games for Loko Yaroslavl, adding 10 goals in the playoffs as they won the Kharlamov Cup. Yemelyanov is likely to start the season in the KHL, in my opinion, after strong performances in the preseason, where he even lined up as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s first-line center at one point. Like Kotkov, I wouldn’t be surprised if he bounces around between the KHL and MHL, but I do think there’s a good chance Yemelyanov spends most of the season in the KHL.
Juniors
Cole Chandler: Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
I initially thought Chandler might be headed to the NCAA this season, but he was traded from Shawinigan to Cape Breton in early June, meaning he’d be returning for another season of junior hockey. He’ll be joining what should be a pretty strong Eagles team, featuring multiple other NHL draft picks, and looking to improve on a 20-goal, 52-point campaign from last season with the Cataractes. He’s committed to Northeastern.
Cullen McCrate: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Like Chandler, I also thought that Cullen McCrate would probably play in the NCAA this season. However, with Nashville’s 1st-round pick Tommy Bleyl electing to play for Michigan State this season instead of returning to the QMJHL, McCrate is headed to the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs. McCrate was drafted in the 7th round this summer by the Bruins’ as an overager out of the USHL’s Fargo Force. The Adrian, Michigan, native has good size at 6’2″, 205lbs, and took a big step offensively last season, going from five points to 30 between 2024-25 and 2025-26. The OHL should be a step up in competition for McCrate, who I think should handle the transition well.
Jacob Vandeven: London Knights (OHL)
Another new addition to the Bruins’ prospect pool, Jacob Vandeven spent the majority of his draft year in the GOJHL with the Komoka Kings, where he put up 32 points in 47 games, as well as 80 penalty minutes. He also played 12 games in the OHL with the London Knights and scored a goal in the playoffs. He’s a big left-shot defender at 6’6″, 205lbs, and this season should be his first full year in the OHL. At time of writing Vandeven has not committed to an NCAA school.
NCAA
Elliott Groenewold: Quinnipiac University (ECAC)
Groenewold returns to the Bobcats for his Junior season after a strong Sophomore campaign in which he put up 20 points in 40 games from the back end, with an absurd +39 rating that comfortably led the nation in that category. I suspect this will probably be Groenewold’s last collegiate season, and he’ll be part of a Quinnipiac team that is always one of, if not the, best teams in the ECAC.
Beckett Hendrickson: University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
I thought there was a possibility Hendrickson would enter the transfer portal after Minnesota, and Bob Motzko parted ways in March, but the Bruins’ 2023 fourth-round pick is headed back to the Golden Gophers for his Junior season. The Minnetonka, Minnesota, native saw a slight increase in points production last year, jumping up to 20 points in 36 games, after a 12-point freshman campaign. This season is an important one for Hendrickson, who with a strong campaign might earn an Entry-Level Contract.
Roberto Henriquez: Boston College (Hockey East)
Another new addition to the Bruins’ prospect pool, Henriquez had a stellar year in the USHL last season with the Green Bay Gamblers, putting up a .921% save percentage, with a 2.22 goals-against-average, two shutouts, and a 21-9-4 record. He also got into a fight and scored a goal. After going undrafted in 2025, Henriquez finally had his name called by the B’s in the sixth-round this summer, 170th overall. The Bratislava, Slovakia, native is heading to Boston College this fall, and should also be in the running for a spot on the Slovakian World Junior Team.
Kristian Kostadinski: Boston College (Hockey East)
Kostadinski spent most of his Freshman season in a depth role for the Eagles, where he had three assists in 36 games, as well as two penalty minutes and a +5 rating. He should see more ice time this season than last year, as BC has undergone some significant roster turnover. The Goteborg, Sweden, native is a big, physical, shutdown defenseman at 6’6″, 236lbs.
Dean Letourneau: Boston College (Hockey East)
Letourneau was probably the most improved player in College Hockey last season, bouncing back from a rough freshman season in which he failed to score a goal in 36 games with an electric sophomore year in which he scored 22 goals, second on BC only to teammate and fellow Bruins prospect James Hagens. With BC losing several key contributors on offense to both Graduation and the Pros, Letourneau will be counted on by the Eagles to drive play offensively, before likely turning pro in the Spring.
Will Moore: Boston College (Hockey East)
Moore had a pretty quiet freshman season at BC, only putting up 10 points in 33 games. I expect he will take a step this year, playing a larger role for the Eagles after Hagens, Gasseau, and Jellvik moved on to the professional ranks. The Mississauga, Ontario, native had a prolific draft year, scoring at nearly a point-per-game pace with the US National Team Development Program, and while I’m not sure he hits that level of production this season, I expect a bounce back year and for him to compete for a spot on Team USA at the World Juniors.
Jonathan Morello: Boston University (Hockey East)
Morello had a decent freshman season for the Terriers, considering that the Toronto, Ontario, native was playing largely in a depth role for a BU team that really struggled last season. With first-round picks Caleb Malhotra and Tynan Lawrence on the roster, I’m not sure if there’s a path to a top-six center spot for Morello this season. However, at worst, he should again be a valuable bottom-six contributor for a BU team that, on paper, should bounce back into NCAA Tournament contention.
Casper Nassen: Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Casper Nassen was the only Bruins prospect to transfer this off-season, choosing to play his junior season at Lake Superior State after two seasons at Miami Ohio. The Norrtalje, Sweden, native had 18 points in 36 games last year and is joining a Lake Superior team that finished 11-22-3 last season. However, the Lakers do have multiple NHL Draft picks on this season’s roster and should improve, with Nassen being a significant contributor.
Christopher Pelosi: Quinnipiac University (ECAC)
Pelosi took a pretty solid step last season, production-wise, going from 24 points as a freshman to 34 as a sophomore. The Sewell, New Jersey, native is heading back to Quinnipiac for his junior year, where he will be leaned on heavily by the Bobcats. Like his teammate Elliott Groenewold, I suspect he will turn pro at season’s end, and I’d expect that Quinnipiac will be back in the NCAA Tournament again this year.
Cole Spicer: Western Michigan University (NCHC)
Spicer is heading back to Western Michigan for his fourth season of College Hockey. It’s been a long journey for Spicer to arrive at his senior year, which BNG company colleague Neil Simmons wrote about in August. Spicer has an opportunity to put his injury issues behind him this season, where he’ll be part of a Broncos team that should again be one of the best in the NCHC.
Cooper Simpson: University of North Dakota (NCHC)
After a phenomenal post-draft year in the USHL in which he amassed 74 points in 61 games with the Youngstown Phantoms, Cooper Simpson will make the jump to the college game this season. The Shakopee, Minnesota, native joins a North Dakota team that, on paper, should be part of the discussion for the National Championship when all is said and done. The jump from junior hockey to the NCAA can be tough, however, given both Simpson’s abilities, and the sheer talent around him including fellow B’s prospect Will Zellers, I think Simpson will handle it just fine.
Ryan Walsh: Cornell University (ECAC)
Walsh is heading back to Cornell for his senior season, where he’ll be team captain. He’s shown steady progression through three seasons with the Big Red, and I thought there was a chance he’d turn pro after last year; however, he’ll be back in Ithaca this fall. I expect Walsh will be well over a point per game this season before turning pro this spring.
Will Zellers: University of North Dakota (NCHC)
Zellers’ stock has only increased since he was traded to the Bruins organization in the Charlie Coyle deal, as he built on a USHL Player of the Year campaign with a solid freshman season at North Dakota, as well as being a key contributor on the US World Junior Team. He has the most goals of any returner on North Dakota’s roster, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him lead UND in goals and potentially turn pro at years end.
Providence
This summer brought many changes to the Providence Bruins. They’ll have a new Head Coach, as Trent Whitfield has been promoted from Assistant after Ryan Mougenel left to take a job with the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Ward will be replacing Whitfield as an assistant, having previously been Head Coach of the Youngstown Phantoms for the last four seasons.
On the ice, the roster will also look a lot different, with captain Patrick Brown departing the organization for Germany. The team has yet to name a new captain, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Billy Sweezey wore the C, as he’s worn an A for the P-Bruins for the past two seasons.
In net, Providence will likely lean on Jiri Patera and Simon Zajicek. Zajicek had a .915% save percentage last season for the P-Bruins, serving as backup to Michael DiPietro, who is likely to be the backup with the big club this season after Joonas Korpisalo was dealt to the Rangers on July 1st. Patera was actually in the Bruins’ organization for a very short time, as the B’s claimed him off waivers back in 2024 from Vancouver during the Jeremy Swayman contract saga. He was placed on waivers again days later, and reclaimed by the Canucks, where he spent the last two seasons. Luke Cavallin and Max Lundgren will most likely start the season in the ECHL with the Maine Mariners.
On defense, the biggest question is what will happen with Frederic Brunet? Brunet has improved each year he’s spent in Providence and should probably get a chance in the NHL, which management seems to agree with. However, it’s hard to deny the logjam on defense at the NHL level at time of writing. A trade involving another depth defensemen, such as Mason Lohrei or Henri Jokiharju, could make his path to Boston clearer.
If Brunet is in Boston, it’ll be even harder for Providence to deal with the departures of Michael Callahan, Victor Soderstrom, and Christian Wolanin. The P-Bruins will likely run into Callahan at some point against Syracuse this season, as he signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning Organization this summer. Soderstrom signed in Switzerland, while Wolanin will be out west with the Colorado Eagles.
On defense, the B’s brought in Maxence Guenette in Free Agency, who was previously in the Flyers’ and Senators’ organizations. He was drafted by Ottawa 187th overall in 2019 and played in 8 NHL games for the Sens. The organization also signed Tobie Bisson and Dylan MacKinnon to AHL contracts. Bisson played for the Laval Rocket last season, registering 11 points in 48 games, while MacKinnon spent the majority of last year in the QMJHL, playing three games for the Mariners at the end of the year. Other than that, it’ll be a lot of familiar faces for Providence, with Jordan Harris, Ty Gallagher, Loke Johansson, Sweezey, Chris Ortiz, and Max Wanner back under contract in Boston or Providence.
Up front, Providence has taken a big hit, at least on paper. Georgi Merkulov departed in Free Agency for the Colorado Avalanche organization, and Fabian Lysell will be joining him, having been dealt in exchange for Ivan Ivan. Riley Tufte joined the Utica Comets after scoring a career-high 32 goals last year. Matej Blumel signed in his home country of Czechia with HC Sparta Praha, while John Farinacci signed with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Attilio Biasca could be the first-ever Swiss player to play for the Bruins, having signed as a Free Agent after winning the Swiss League Championship with HC Fribourg-Gotteron this past year. Brendan Gaunce returns to the B’s organization, having spent the majority of the 2019-20 season in Providence. Brian Halonen comes to Providence after four years in the New Jersey Devils’ organization, where he played in 19 NHL games. Kalle Vaisanen should provide Providence with some depth, having been dealt to Boston in the Korpisalo trade. He had 4 points in 51 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack last year.
Dans Locmelis will probably spend at least the beginning of the season in Providence, having been shut down post-Olympics due to a Shoulder injury. Matt Poitras is currently not under contract and could, in theory, end up in Providence; however, I think it’s more likely he’s either in Boston or somewhere else in the NHL. Joey Abate, Riley Duran, Alexis Gendron, Navrin Mutter, Jake Schmaltz, and Ryan Tattle should all be back in Providence, while Maxim Andreev, Josh Bloom, Wyatt Bongiovanni, Cross Hanas, and Nolan Renwick are under AHL contract, and should provide organizational depth whether with the P-Bruins or Mariners.
James Hagens: Boston or Providence?
I decided to save probably the biggest storyline for last. Where will James Hagens play this season? For starters, I think the most important factor in this decision should be his performance. If he has a good camp and plays well in preseason, I don’t see why he shouldn’t start the season in the NHL. While I understand that you might not want to risk losing a player like a Lukas Reichel or Michael Eyssimont to waivers, at the end of the day, if James Hagens can help the Boston Bruins win hockey games, that’s a risk that’s got to be taken in my opinion.
On the flip side, if he needs a little more time in the AHL, I don’t think that’s the end of the world either, especially if it’s because a Poitras or Locmelis came in, had a great camp, and earned a spot. Even if that doesn’t happen, I don’t think a run of games in Providence is going to kill his development, as long as there’s a legitimate path back to the NHL if his performance dictates it, which in the past I’m not sure has truly been available for other prospects. If I had to make a prediction however, I think Hagens starts the year in Boston. His talent is just too much to deny, and I think the Bruins’ will want his creativity in their top-six.
Leave a Reply