Bruins Prospect Knows He Must Grow Defensive Game

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins’ depth on defense has always been one of their best attributes as a franchise. With the defensive corps of Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Brandon Carlo, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon and Mason Lohrei manning the blue line, prospect Frederic Brunet is not expected to make a push for a roster spot when training camp opens on Sept. 18.

Brunet is among 25 roster players for the Bruins in the 2024 Rookie Camp and Prospect Challenge at LeCom HarborCenter in Buffalo, N.Y., from Sept. 13 to 16. After spending three seasons in the QMJHL, Brunet played his first professional season with the Providence Bruins during the 2023-24 campaign. The 6-foot-3, 196-pound Quebec, Canada native tallied two goals and 10 assists in 48 games for the AHL club. Brunet said he was more or less educated on the difference between junior and professional hockey.

“I think the biggest thing is, I’m not going to be surprised anymore about the quality of play and the quality of guys in the American League next year,” he said after Day 1 of rookie camp at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday. “So, just being ready for my next challenge. I think I need to take a step in my game. My defense is probably going to have to take a huge step (this) year, and I’m ready for that.”

The 21-year-old was used to playing against 16 to 20-year-old players in juniors, and playing against older, more experienced players was eye-opening for the prospect.

“They’re stronger, they’re more mature, they’re more smart, and they give a bit more, they’re intelligent,” Brunet said. “Just the difference in the quality of play and the speed of the game is the biggest difference I noticed from juniors.”

As an offensive-minded defenseman, Brunet said he enjoys watching the Colorado Avalanche’s top defensive pairing Cale Makar and Deon Toews because the duo complements each other offensively and defensively. He is trying to base his game on a mixture of the two as he tries to grow his defensive game.

“I think my physicality needs to take a step. I’ve worked hard this summer to get stronger,” Brunet said. “I think my box outs and maybe finishing a couple more checks here and there, timing and stuff. Box outs and a bit more physical on the boards.

“As an offensive D-man, that’s my game. I always want to go play offense, but as a D-man, I need to defend. I think it’s just a mindset of me taking care of my D-zone, thinking about it and taking care of the puck.”

The Bruins plan to be patient with the young defenseman as he “marinates” in the AHL.

“Bru came into the league as an extremely young player, and there were hiccups at defending, for sure. And playing against men. That was to be expected,” Providence Bruins coach Ryan Mougenel said on Wednesday. “But by the end of the year, he was a guy that got a lot of minutes for us. We expect him to be that guy, to be in the top four and get some time on the power play. That’s going to be a big part of who he is. It was starting to grow last year.

“And for a player like Bru, it’s going to take some time. The best thing about the Bruins is they’ve been afforded to have the ability to let guys marinate. He’s going to be the best version of himself and as a player when he gets (to the NHL), just because he’s put that time in.”