The Bruins had become pretty accustomed to selecting big-name potential talent with first-round draft picks in the last few years. Over the past three drafts alone, the B’s nabbed Tyler Seguin, Dougie Hamilton and Malcolm Subban.
So they were in a somewhat unfamiliar position Sunday in New Jersey when the B’s were without a first-round selection for the 2013 NHL entry draft. Boston’s first-round pick became property of the Dallas Stars when the B’s reached the conference finals per the conditions of the trade that brought Jaromir Jagr to Boston in April.
Despite the lack of a first-rounder, the B’s and general manager Peter Chiarelli reportedly stayed busy, as reports indicated they might look to move into the first round. That didn’t happen, however, and the day turned into a relatively calm one for the Bruins’ hockey operations staff.
The Bruins did add six players to their organization, though, with a heavy influence of unknown European talent in addition to local players from New England.
Second round, No. 60 — Linus Arnesson
Position: Defenseman
Drafted from: Djurgarden Jrs. (Sweden)
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 179 pounds
Age: 18
Notes: Defensive-minded defenseman who registered just one assists in 31 games with Djurgarden this season … Appeared in all six games for Sweden in the 2013 World Junior Championships where the Swedes won silver.
Third round, No. 90 — Peter Cehlarik
Position: Forward
Drafted from: Lulea Junior (Swedish Junior League)
Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 168 pounds
Age: 17
Notes: Registered 3-6-9 totals and was a plus-8 in just eight games with Lulea HF of the Swedish Elite League … That performance was thought by some to improve his draft stock … Slovakian forward scored 17 goals and added 20 assists in 38 games with the Lulea Junior team.
Fourth round, No. 120 — Ryan Fitzgerald
Position: Center
Drafted from: Valley Jr. Warriors (EJHL)
Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 170 pounds
Age: 18
Notes: Forward is a North Reading, Mass., native … Is son of former Bruins forward and Pittsburgh assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald … Nephew of Bruins assistant director of amateur scouting Scott Fitzgerald … Scored 14 goals and had 26 assists with the Valley Jr. Warriors this season … Scored three goals and added three assists in playoffs … Won 2013 MIAA John Carlton Sportsmanship Award.
Fifth round, No. 150 — Wiley Sherman
Position: Defenseman
Drafted from: Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, Conn.)
Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 196 pounds
Age: 18
Notes: Native of Greenwich, Conn. … Will attend Harvard … Big body who skates well for his size and can also play mean at times … Had four goals and six assists during 2012-13 season with Hotchkiss
Sixth round, No. 150 — Anton Blidh
Position: Winger
Drafted from: Frolunda Jrs. (Sweden)
Height/weight: 6-foot, 184 pounds
Age: 18
Notes: Relative unknown from Sweden … Registered 17-10-27 totals in 43 games with the Frolunda Jr. team … Reportedly a “tough, hard-working kid who has few skills.”
Seventh round, No. 210 — Mitchell Dempsey
Position: Winger
Drafted from: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Age: 18
Notes: Played last two seasons in OHL, playing with Plymouth in 2011-12 and Sault Ste. Marie in 2012-13 … Scored a goal and added four assists in 36 games in 12-13 … Playing style compared to James Neal or Jared Boll when signed to play with Plymouth … Tough player who’s not afraid to drop the gloves.
Photo via Twitter/@NHLBruins
