Boston Bruins Have Something Special With Prospect Dean Letourneau – Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins
Given how small this pool is for the Boston Bruins, maintaining it is important. This organization has seen players graduate from the big club and get a boost last season. In surprising fashion, center Matthew Poitras and defenseman Mason Lohrei burst onto the scene in 2023-24, and both played key roles and provided great depth. Behind them, however, the cabin is somewhat empty and the team needs to restock the cabin.
The hard part about being a Stanley Cup contender is that you will always draft late in each round. That’s not always a bad thing, as you still have access to those draft picks. Big star David Pastrnak was taken 25th overall by the Bruins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, proving that it is possible to score a player at that spot as well.
General manager Don Sweeney was able to return to the first round during the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, as he received a first round pick in a trade with the Ottawa Senators. Ironically, that pick was originally the Bruins’ draft pick. The Senators got their first baseman in Linus Ullmark, and with that pick, the Bruins’ center chose Dean Letourneau. There’s a lot to like about this draft pick and the type of player he could be down the line.
Bruins Bolster Prospect Power Down the Middle
Without Matthew Poitras, the Bruins are short on prospects down the middle. They’ve got a good idea of what a center forward John Beecher can bring to the club – although he’s best suited to a bottom six role, he’s an important part of the squad’s depth. The one thing missing from the Bruins is a true starting center. Sweeney went on to sign Elias Lindholm for seven years, so there’s an immediate response to that. However, the key is to plan and develop that center and hopefully the player can grow into that starting role.
Related: Expectations for Bruins’ Matthew Poitras in Year 2
Bruins fans have to love Letourneau. The biggest comparison he draws is Buffalo Sabers center Tage Thompson. Thompson was originally part of a trade with the Sabers that sent Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis. Louis Blues. Thompson hasn’t come into his own yet, but he’s now a dangerous threat for the Sabres. Letourneau stands out at 6-foot-7. For his size, he’s an incredible skater, but he also has the skill to go with it. That’s what drew Sweeney to him.
“What stands out is the frame of the player, and his ability, to tell you the truth,” Sweeney said of Letourneau. “It’s not just that side of things, but he moves very well at that size, he’s got very good hands, he’s got very good skill. … We think [BC] it will be a great development opportunity for Dean to continue to grow and close the gaps in his game.” (From Audacy.com, June 28, 2024).
No one is claiming to be the next Thompson. However, that comparison is compared to his height, his gun, and even his stick grip. Coincidentally, this is a player who even models his game after Thompson. Development camps continued at Warrior Ice Arena and Letourneau impressed.
Letourneau’s Early Ideas
All eyes are on Poitras, as he struggles with injury and continues his rehabilitation process. However, attention turned again to Letourneau who was heading to his first Bruins development camp. He’s certainly not hard to spot, as he sticks out like a sore thumb for his height. He also stood out with the little things he did on the ice again. Player Development Coordinator and former Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid had high praise for Letourneau. When the camp ended he continued to say,
“It’s hard to ignore him because of his size. You can see his composure around the net. Smooth, beautiful hands. Just a big outline. But if you look at him, he is still a small child. He is a very talented young man.” (Audacy.com, July 4, 2024)
Letourneau made a few good plays during development camp. He went on to create a transition and get on the right path to pass. By doing this, he made a great move in front of the net and scored a goal. And, in the shootout, he showed that skill and scored another goal. Letourneau has really soft hands around the net and in close, which is exactly what Thompson excels at. The Bruins will be able to continue to monitor his development, as he will attend Boston College.
Letourneau’s Hockey Career Begins in College
The ability is there and the power is there. The Bruins recognize that and hope it can continue to translate at the college level. Letourneau was a master at St. Andrew’s College, showing his ability and producing at a very high level. In the 2022-23 season, he had 25 goals and 65 points in 53 games. The 2023-24 season saw him take his game to the next level, scoring 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games. There is room for optimism, but college hockey will bring a new challenge to a young institution.
At Boston College, you’ll be able to compete in one of college hockey’s biggest arenas. With this upcoming challenge, he will look to improve his game and use his size to his advantage. He will be playing against tough competition and higher players than usual. This is something Letourneau said as he thinks about where he wants to take his game.
“I try to model my game after Tage Thompson,” Letourneau said. “He’s just an officer, he’s medium tall and skilled. I love watching his puck protection and how he uses his body to protect defenders. It’s something I try to incorporate into my game as well.”
That’s a great place to start and something that should get Bruins fans excited. Also, Letourneau alluded to wanting to add more size (shockingly for his condition), and being able to not get pushed into Boston College. You have a framework and a set of tools, it’s just about putting it together. It’s obviously too early to tell what kind of player he will be, but this is a great pick by the Bruins.
Letourneau is a bright spot
Good thing Sweeney was able to get back in the first round this draft. In addition, he chose a player with amazing beauty. He may be a big body (which the Bruins like), but he also comes with skill. He is still very young and it will be interesting to see how he develops at the collegiate level. The organization got a small taste of what he can be and it will be good to see how it goes. Cabinets are installed and the stock has started with Letourneau.
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