Bruins Prospects, Management Equally Excited for Upcoming Rookie Games Against Islanders

WILMINGTON, Mass. — While the big club may have played deep into June en route to Boston's first Stanley Cup in 39 years, the youngsters on hand for the Bruins rookie camp have been out of action a little longer.

So it's easy to see why the Bruins hopefuls are so excited about the rookie games they'll be playing against the New York Islanders prospects at Nassau Coliseum on Monday and Tuesday.

"It's been a long time, especially since we didn't make the playoffs last year [in Providence]," said Michael Hutchinson, who will get the start in goal on Monday night. "That was really tough. It was a longer offseason than a lot of us are used to, so it's nice to get right back into it and start playing again."

Three days of fitness testing and practices at Ristuccia Arena have only heightened the anticipation of returning to game action.

"I think we're all excited," forward Craig Cunningham said. "It's one thing to practice. Everything's a little slower, it's more about teaching. But the whole summer you look forward to the games, so it's good. We've got a good group of guys here. We have to come together quick, figure out the systems quick and just use your speed and your skill and your smarts and hopefully win."

Bruins management is just as eager to see how the youngsters handle themselves in a game situation.

"I think you learn a lot," Bruins assistant general manager Jim Benning said. "You learn what their makeup is, how hard they're going to compete in a game situation when the pressure is on them, like what are they made of? The skill guys, are they going to create plays, are they going to create scoring chances? So usually what happens when they play under pressure their skill or their toughness or whatever they're here to show should come to the top, so that's what we're hoping to see from all the guys."

One thing the Bruins probably won't see is a packed house like the played in front of at the Garden last year, when the two rookie games drew over 25,000 fans eager to get an early look at Tyler Seguin and Co. The Islanders themselves averaged just 11,059 fans for their regular-season games last year, so it will probably be a more intimate gathering for a rookie game.

"They definitely won't be able to compare to the fan base we had here last time," forward Tyler Randell said. "I remember skating onto the ice for the first warm-up and just seeing the whole lower bowl filled, it was crazy. It shows how amazing the fans are here in Boston."

Randell and the other Bruins rookies aren't complaining, though. Any chance to play in an NHL arena with that spoked-B on their chest is a thrill.

"It's definitely great to play in these games," Randell said. "It's the closest thing to an NHL game I've been in, so it's always great experience to play with the Boston crest on and try to make a good impression for the team."

Making an impression is the biggest thing for the rookies, who are hoping to be invited to the main training camp opening next Friday. The Bruins' coaches and management, meanwhile, are primarily interested in evaluating the young players. But that doesn't mean the results are meaningless.

"I think anytime they play, they're going to play to win," Benning said. "We told them to just show what they're good at. If they're skaters, skate. If they're skilled guys, use their skill. If they're hitters, you know, we got a good mix of a lot of different things in the group. They're all here for a reason, so just to go out there and show why they're here and put their best foot forward."

The Bruins won both games last year, with Jordan Caron netting a hat trick in a 5-2 victory in the first game and Ryan Spooner scored both goals, including the winner in overtime, for a 2-1 triumph in the second game. Caron has graduated to veteran status after playing 23 games with the big club last season, but Spooner is back for a second rookie camp and hopes to have similar success against the Islanders this year.

"It was awesome," Spooner said. "I didn't expect that. I thought maybe we'd get 5,000 fans, and there were 15,000 fans and I had a couple goals. I had a chance to play with [Max] Sauve, and I was lucky to play with him. He's a great player. Hopefully this year I can play the same way."

This year's top pick, defenseman Dougie Hamilton, will also be looking to make an impact in his first game in a Bruins uniform.

"It's older guys, more of a pro style compared to the OHL," said Hamilton, the ninth overall selection in this year's draft. "It's going to be pretty physical and fast and I think it should be pretty exciting."

While Hamilton will be the only first-round pick on the Bruins roster, the Islanders will bring out some star power for their fans. Hamilton's junior teammate Ryan Strome (5th overall pick in 2011), Cunningham's ex-teammate Nino Niederreiter (5th overall pick in 2010) and Calvin de Haan (12th overall pick in 2009) will all play for the New York squad.