Editor’s Note: Bruins Prospects Update will be a monthly feature where we recap the performance of five notable prospects at the junior, NCAA and AHL levels.
October was a good month for the Bruins on a few levels. The NHL club finished tied for second place in the Atlantic Division despite starting the season 0-3-0, and several of the team’s prospects played at a high level for their respective teams.
This month’s recap features three players from Boston’s 10-man 2015 draft class.
Jeremy Lauzon
Acquired: Second round, 2015 NHL draft
Team (League): Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Position: Defenseman
Stats: 15 GP, 3 G, 21 A, 24 P
Lauzon has put his offensive skills on display through 15 games. His 24 points rank second among QMJHL defensemen and third among all Huskies players. Lauzon’s smooth skating, quality playmaking skill and accurate shot from the point have helped him go on an impressive scoring streak over the first month of the campaign.
He’s one of the main reasons the Huskies lead the QMJHL standings with 34 points (15-1-3-1).
Frank Vatrano
Acquired: Free-agent signing
Team (League): Providence Bruins (AHL)
Position: Center
Stats: 10 GP, 10 G, 2 A, 12 P
Vatrano has been the most impressive goal-scorer in the AHL with an incredible goal-per-game pace. His 10 goals leads the league and his 12 points rank tied for second. The 21-year-old center has scored in six of his 10 games played, including a four-goal performance Oct. 10. Vatrano could be one of the first players to receive a call up to Boston when/if injuries test the Bruins’ depth.
Danton Heinen
Acquired: Fourth round, 2014 NHL draft
Team (League): University of Denver (NCHC, NCAA)
Position: Center/Wing
Stats: 6 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 P
Heinen is one of the most impressive prospects in the Bruins organization. The only freshman with more points than Heinen last season was No. 2 draft pick Jack Eichel of Boston University, and his sophomore campaign is off to a nice start.
Heinen scored twice and added an assist against No. 3-ranked Boston College last Friday, and he also has 18 shots on goal through six games.
Jake DeBrusk
Acquired: First round, 2015 NHL draft
Team (League): Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Position: Left Wing
Stats: 13 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 P
DeBrusk ranks 18th in WHL scoring and second on the Broncos with 20 points. He’s failed to tally a point in just two of his 13 games played, and he finished the month with 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his final six games, highlighted by a four-assist game on Halloween.
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson
Acquired: Second round, 2015 NHL draft
Team (League): Boston University (Hockey East, NCAA)
Position: Center
Stats: 6 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 P
Forsbacka-Karlsson is a two-way center who plays a responsible, smart defensive game and excels on faceoffs. He’s also providing the No. 11-ranked BU Terriers with some offense. JFK has been a point-per-game player through the team’s first six games.
This was one of the most underrated picks in the second round of June’s draft, and the results to this point have been encouraging for the Bruins.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@Lets_GoBruins
