Bruins Development Camp Notes: On-Ice Drills Heat Up On Day 3

WILMINGTON, Mass. — Boston Bruins development camp continued Thursday at Ristuccia Arena with two sessions, one featuring just forwards and the other with only defensemen.

The drills intensified as well. Some included one-on-one battle drills, one-timers and practicing elevating the puck by putting a small barrier at the foot of the net. It was a change from Tuesday and Wednesday when a lot of drills focused on skating.

Friday is the final day of camp. The practice will begin with the first scrimmage of the week. Here are some notes and observations from Day 3 in Wilmington.

— It’s not hard to spot Brandon Carlo on the ice. The 6-foot-5 defenseman — who Boston selected in the second round (37th overall) in last month’s NHL Draft — has plenty of size, but he’s also a real good skater.

“Just his size and the way he skates, that’s such an advantage for a D-man when they’re that big and they can skate like that,” Bruins development coach Jay Pandolfo said.

“He’ll make it tough for forwards just because he’ll be able to close on them so easily. He’s pretty effortless out there. That’s the biggest thing. He still has lots of stuff to work on, but he’s certainly headed in the right direction.”

— Ryan Donato will be a freshman at Harvard next season. The Bruins drafted the Massachusetts-born center in the second round of the 2014 draft, and Pandolfo is pleased with his progress so far.

“I think he’s looked really good,” Pandolfo said. “In all the battle drills and that stuff he’s competing really hard. You can see the skill level when he’s around the net. I think he’s progressing really well.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing him play next year at Harvard. He’s the type of guy when he plays with better players, he’s going to make them better and it will be better for him.”

— The Bruins have had 36 players in camp this week and nine of them (five forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender) are attending on an invite basis.

Pandolfo explained what the Bruins hope to gain with these players at camp.

“I think more than anything, just getting to know them on a personal level a little better,” Pandolfo said. “We get to see them on the ice up close and personal and see what they can do. That’s the biggest thing, and for them to get to know the organization.

“We’re hoping they learn something here. We’re hoping they’re comfortable with the organization. We let them know we’ll be watching them this year and keeping a close eye on them.”