By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
Coming off strong sophomore seasons, Bruins prospects Elliott Groenewold and Dean Letourneau will enter the 2026-27 college hockey season with expectations to match. Both earned preseason all-conference recognition last week, the first bits of hardware in the campaign for Boston’s pipeline.
Groenewold, a fourth-round pick from the 2024 NHL Draft, was named to the ECAC Preseason All-League Team, alongside teammate Ethan Wyttenbach. The honor comes after a stellar season for Quinnipiac, where Groenewold recorded 7-13-20 in 40 games, led the nation in plus/minus with a +39 rating, earned ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman honors, and made the First Team All-Conference.
Letourneau, the Bruins’ first-round pick from the same draft, earned a slightly unorthodox honor. Unlike the ECAC, Hockey East does not release an official Preseason All-Conference team. Instead, Letourneau’s recognition comes from the Hockey East Writers & Broadcasters Association, which voted him to the All-HEWBA team. This follows his breakout campaign at Boston College, where he posted 22-17-39 in 36 games and earned Hockey East Third-Team All-Star honors at season’s end.
The accolades reflect an early vote of confidence in two prospects Bruins fans should watch closely this year. Delivering on those lofty expectations could bring each one a step closer to donning the black and gold in the near future.
Leave a Reply