Bruins Newcomer Has Been ‘Great Surprise’ To Jim Montgomery

There weren’t many folks who expected Cole Koepke to crack the Bruins’ Opening Night roster.

However, the 26-year-old didn’t waste any time showing why he deserved a spot with the Black and Gold.

Koepke, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with Boston at the start of NHL free agency, was rock-solid through the Bruins’ first five games of the season. The former Tampa Bay Lightning forward logged at least one point in three contests, including his first Boston goal in Wednesday’s 5-3 road win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Head coach Jim Montgomery was asked about Koepke’s early season contributions after the B’s improved to 3-2-0.

“Been a great surprise,” Montgomery told reporters, per a team-provided video. “I don’t think he’s been that much of a surprise to our pro scouts that recommended him. They spoke highly about him. He’s rewarding those scouts and us with the effort and how he’s playing.”

Koepke has been rolling on a bottom-six line alongside Johnny Beecher and fellow Bruins newcomer Mark Kasletic. The trio earned a shoutout after the first tilt of the road trip from Montgomery, who praised the group for their “tremendous success.”

The B’s will try to keep it going Saturday when they play the franchise’s first game in Utah. NESN’s complete coverage of the West Coast contest begins at 8 p.m. ET.