By: Tom Calautti | @TCalauttis & Jack Studley | @JackStudley13
The 2025 Boston Bruins Development Camp is over. 30 total skaters wore black and white Bruins jerseys throughout the week, nine defensemen and four goalies went with the 17 forwards that were looking to leave a lasting impression on the Bruins fans and management.
On behalf of Black N’ Gold Productions, contributer Jack Studley and I were fortunate to be in the building through camp, noting who impressed and who we think fans should be excited for. Here is the review of the nine defensemen and four goalies who suited up this week:
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Vashek Blanar
Age: 18
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 183 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 6-15–21 in 38 games
Draft: 2025 4th round pick
2025-26 Team: HV71 J20
Calautti: James Hagnes was the best player at camp, but the most surprising (and maybe exciting) player was Vashek Blanar. The Czech defenseman looks like Mason Lohrei, able to walk the blueline and dance with the puck despite being 6’4”. He was easily the best skater among the defensive prospects and showed off some offensive flair during the scrimmages. The most encouraging thing to me was how he defended. Good stick position, poise when engaging puck carriers, and a willingness to play the body. When a defenseman has those tools at a young age, it usually bodes well. He was a joy to watch.
Studley: The Colorado-born Czech prospect is very intriguing. He was the best defenseman on multiple days of camp, and easily my favorite from this week. There is a high upside regarding his potential, and he was not afraid to make us aware of his offensive ability this week. He was not shy about getting physical either, but he knows he must improve physically before taking the next step. He also noted that he wants to improve his defensive game. The move from Czechia to Sweden has helped fast-track his development and returning to Sweden in the fall will help Blanar’s game improve. We are still a few years removed from seeing him in North America. Still, for a draft pick that seemingly nobody knew anything about, Blanar had a wildly impressive showing at development camp.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
CJ Foley
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 180 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 11-19–30 in 33 games
Draft: Undrafted FA
2025-26 Team: Dartmouth College
Calautti: Foley is another camp invite who put on quite the show at Warrior Ice Arena. The Hanover, MA native is an excellent puck-handler that excels in jumpstarting transition, leading the breakout, and creating offense from the blueline. He’s quick, agile, and has a knack for firing pucks through traffic and getting them on net to create rebounds and scoring chances. He isn’t huge, but he has a skill set that could make him an attractive free agent for Boston.
Studley: CJ Foley, the Hanover-native and Thayer Academy graduate, had a really impressive week at the Bruins’ development camp. His shorter frame compared to that of the defense group did not set Foley back; he was able to generate offense from the blue line. Whether in the transition game or quarterbacking the blue line, Foley’s ability to move quickly and direct the play was notable. Foley showed why he won the Ivy League Player of the Year last season and was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year during his freshman year at Dartmouth. As an undrafted invite, he did a good job of getting on the Bruins’ radar last week, and could be on his way to landing an NHL or AHL contract once his time at Dartmouth concludes.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Ty Gallagher
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 192 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 1-4–5 in 11 games (AHL)
Draft: 2021 7th round pick
2025-26 Team: Providence Bruins
Calautti: Ty Gallagher is such a solid all-around defenseman. He’s elusive in his own zone and can beat forechecks, handles pressure and physicality well, has the speed and acceleration to beat opponents in transition, and isn’t afraid to make things happen from the blueline. The seventh-rounder put up excellent numbers after transferring from BU to Colorado College (9-17–26 in 37 games) and played meaningful minutes from Providence during last year’s playoff run. He’s the type of defenseman that does everything well, and should be able to build his game next season.
Studley: Gallagher was a very consistent player throughout camp this week. He was making smart plays this week on both sides of the puck, presenting himself as a promising option for the Bruins. He is coming off a great season at Colorado College and impressed last year when he stepped into the Providence Bruins lineup. He scored in his first professional game and played seven of the eight games in the Providence playoff run. The 2021 seventh-round pick looked like an all-around smart defender last week; he was able to shut down the attack and jumpstart a counterattack.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Elliott Groenewold
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 208 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 4-8–12 in 38 games
Draft: 2024 4th round pick
2025-26 Team: Quinnipiac University
Calautti: Groenewold always impresses me with his raw athletic abilities. He’s such a gifted skater who can stop on a dime and change direction with smoothness and ease. The fourth round pick is the type of defender who matches an attacking forward with speed, recover on a cut back/curl, and re-establish defensive position in his sleep. His defensive awareness matches his tools, making him one of the best pure defenders in the Bruins’ system. If he can become a bit more dynamic on offense, he’ll easily shoot his way up the prospect rankings.
Studley: Groenewold demonstrated his defensive abilities throughout the drills and stood out as a promising prospect on the Bruins’ blue line. Groenewold’s ability to shut down an attack and read the offense was impressive, complemented by his skating. The Quinnipiac defenseman had a successful freshman campaign, and his points per game numbers increased in college compared to his transition year in the USHL. The Bobcats will be a fun follow this season with two promising Bruins prospects playing off I-91 in Hamden, CT.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Loke Johansson
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 213 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 4-18–22 in 62 games
Draft: 2024 6th round pick
2025-26 Team: TBD
Calautti: I just raved about Groenewold, but Loke Johansson is the best defender the Bruins have in their system. He has the size, strength and snarl that Black and Gold fans love to see. He’s cerebral for a 19-year-old, reading plays well, using his stick to disrupt offense, and breaking up attacks before they happen. He’s a nightmare in the corners and loves to play the body and punish forwards for daring to challenge him. Johansson isn’t an offensive dynamo but has above-average vision and moves pucks well in transition. Adam McQuaid commented that he’s ready for the AHL, so fans could be seeing a lot more of the Swedish defenseman very soon.
Studley: The Bruins are ready for Johansson to transition from the QMJHL to the Providence Bruins, and his performance last week at camp and last year in Moncton explains why. In Moncton, Johansson totaled 22 points in 62 games and 11 in the Wildcats’ 16 playoff games. Offense is not what is advertised with Johansson, though; what is advertised is his defensive game. Johansson is big, especially for 19, and he plays that to his advantage. He uses his size to knock people off the puck and creates pressure for the opposition along the boards. Watching his game develop in Providence will be great, as he continues to be one of the most promising defensive prospects in the Bruins’ system.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Ryan Koering
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 195 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 1-2–3 in 30 games
Draft: Undrafted FA
2025-26 Team: Colorado College
Calautti: Koering was a pleasant surprise for me at Development Camp. At 6’4”, 195 lbs, he moved well and had both the straightline speed and lateral agility you like to see in a mobile defenseman. He handles the puck very well and has the ability to make a solid first pass and manipulate the ice in transition. In his own end he won battles, competed hard, and made life difficult for opponents. He’s a skater i’m interested in watching next season at the collegiate level.
Studley: It was a good week for Colorado College players at the Bruins’ development camp, and Ryan Koering is another name to add to that category. Koering can skate, skate fast, and skate fast with the puck on his stick. He makes it look easy and looks light on his feet when skating around. He can push the puck out and join the rush. Koering had a standout week at camp, and a better sophomore season at Colorado College this season could attract NHL interest.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Kristian Kostadinski
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 220 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 6-10–16
Draft: 2023 7th round pick
2025-26 Team: Boston College
Calautti: Kostadinski is an absolute monster. If you like defensemen who play the body, protect the house, and physically dominate in their own zone then he’s your guy. As a low-event, defensive defenseman he thrives by taking away time and space and eliminating forecheckers in order to stop transition/cycles in their tracks. He has work to do as a puck mover and facilitator, but that should a major focus of the coaching staff at BC. He has a wicked slapper that he needs to find the net more often, but overall he’s a fun defenseman to watch.
Studley: Kostadinski is a guy who uses his body to his advantage. He has a powerful shot, which can be dangerous when it’s on target. I have not seen much of Kostadinski in previous years, but from discussions, his skating has improved compared to the past few development camps. However, work still needs to be done, and he knows it. After sessions with Adam McQuaid and the camp coaching staff, he stayed on the ice to work on specifics. It will be interesting to see how he develops his game in the Hockey East, but he could be a rock on the blue line at Boston College with his size and stature.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Liam Pettersson
Age: 18
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 170 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 6-15–21 in 39 games
Draft: 2025 2nd round pick
2025-26 Team: Växjö Lakers HC J20
Calautti: Boston’s 2025 second-round pick fits the mold of other puck-moving, Swedish defensemen. He’s a great skater (agility combined with speed), has good vision and sees the ice well, and above-average offensive instincts. He played the body more than I expected him to and wasn’t afraid to engage others physically. The next step for him will be improving his overall defensive awareness/instincts, but he has the tools to be a solid two-way skater.
Studley: The latter of this season’s second-round picks showed us why he is highly rated in the offense and transition game. His day three performance impressed me, making outlet passes to tape to launch a breakout into a 3v3 drill. He skates very well and carries himself lightly on the ice while moving the puck around easily. His improvement needs to be in his defensive game, and returning to Sweden and getting bigger will allow him that opportunity.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Ben Robertson
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 191 lbs
Position: D
Stats: 2-13–15 in 36 games
Draft: Undrafted FA
2025-26 Team: University of Michigan
Calautti: Robertson, like Foley, is another invite who showed off why the Bruins decided to bring him to camp. He’s another solid skater with good quickness/edgework that breaks pucks out, moves well in transition, and can dance on the blueline. His frame is a bit of an issue, but he has the compete level you like to see in someone that’s undersized. He’s transferring to a great Michigan program next season, and if he can raise some eyebrows there the Bruins may come calling.
Studley: Robertson was another invite to the Bruins’ development camp, using the opportunity to put himself on the team’s radar. He demonstrated his ability to transition the puck from defense to offense and read the play to create a chance. His ability to generate offense contains his shot and his ability to walk the blue line and find the open lane. His frame did not set him back either, and it has not been throughout college. He posted 38 points throughout two seasons at Cornell and will now head to Michigan to continue his collegiate career.
Goalies
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Albin Boija
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 195 lbs
Position: G
Stats: 23-8-6, 1.82 GAA, .928SV%
Draft: Undrafted FA
2025-26 Team: University of Maine
Calautti: Boija was one of my players to watch coming into camp, and he proved his mettle on scrimmage day. The Maine goaltender was perfect in the 5v5 scrimmage (as were the other goaltenders) but had quiet poise and confidence to his crease that caught my eye. He was always well-positioned, located pucks through traffic, and controlled rebounds well. Boston would be wise to give him a call after this season and make him a full-time member of the Bruins organization.
Studley: Adam McQuaid apologized to the four goaltenders because the drills were not “goalie-friendly.” That said, Albin Boija looked to be the most comfortable between the pipes this week at the development camp. He was active with the glove and even sprawled out to make a toe save on a Will Moore breakaway. If you were scoring on Albin Boija last week, you were working for it. His play in the scrimmages (both 3v3 and 5v5) exuded confidence, and his numbers at Maine last season further back that up. He was my favorite goalie from the camp, and it would be great to see him in a Bruins sweater soon. Whether or not he would come to Boston and back up a goalie locked into a long-term contract is to be decided, but it would be great if the Bruins could bring Boija in once the college season ends.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Cameron Korpi
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 160 LBS
Position: G
Stats: 7-6-1, 3.08 GAA, .904 SV%
Draft: Undrafted FA
2025-26 Team: Union College
Calautti: Korpi made a couple of highlight reel saves during Thursday’s scrimmages, including a 2-on-0 where he robbed Chris Pelosi to keep the score tied at zero. The former Michigan goaltender looked comfortable all week, showing off his positioning and presence in net when challenged in the biggest moments. In addition to making some clutch saves, he was also one of the more consistent players in net among the four goalies. Boston has an organizational need in goal, and with a good season for a great team, Korpi could earn himself more looks from Boston.
Studley: Korpi, with a fitting name for a Bruins goaltender, looked really good during the scrimmages on day four. The goalies caught the short end of the stick, not necessarily having the ability to showcase their skills throughout the drills. In the scrimmages, Korpi showed poise, made some big stops – including the 2-on-0 that Tom mentioned – and maintained composure throughout the games. He is looking to have a bounce-back season from his last year at Michigan, and he will be doing so at Union College.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Dylan Silverstein
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 189 lbs
Position: G
Stats: 12-9-2, 2.25 GAA, .903 SV%
Draft: Undrafted FA
2025-26 Team: Quinnipiac University
Calautti: Silverstein was probably the most aggressive goalies at Development Camp. The Quinnipiac goaltender is always at the top of his crease, eager to challenge shooters and cut down the angle on incoming forwards. He was another one of the net-minders that did his best work during the scrimmage, and earned himself an extended look if he continues to improve next season.
Studley: The Quinnipiac netminder looked comfortable all week. He was prominent throughout drills, making the net smaller for those shooting on him, putting both forwards and defensemen to work. When the scrimmages came around, he stepped up. He plays to the top of his crease, but sprawls down and back quickly to cover the posts. He is due back in Hamden, CT, for his junior year, and the Bruins will continue to have a good look at him with two prospects playing for Quinnipiac.
(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / BNG Productions)
Philip Svedeback
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 205lbs
Position: G
Stats: 14-8-4, 2.42 GAA, .911 SV%
Draft: 2021 4th round pick
2025-26 Team: Providence College
Calautti: Svedeback has the look of a Boston Bruins goaltender. He’s tall, has good positioning, and fills up the net just like Black and Gold goalies of the past. He did his best work in the scrimmages and stood tall when the high-danger chances were at his door. My only critique is that he seemed to get beat clean by a few too many mid-range shots. He’s an x-factor for the Friars this season, and may need to put on a show to earn himself an NHL-contract after the year.
Studley: The only Bruins prospect between the pipes at camp this year, Svedeback had eyes on him. He looked very comfortable in the scrimmage situations, winning the 3v3 scrimmage tournament and starting in the 5v5 scrimmage. He maintained his positioning very well throughout the drills aspect of camp, and he kept that going in the scrimmages, allowing him to make more difficult saves a lot easier. He will have eyes on him a lot this season. As he enters his senior year at Providence College, the overarching question is what will happen at the end of the college season regarding Svedeback’s contract.
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