Florida Native Andrew Peeke Eager For Bruins Outdoor Game Against Lightning

Florida native and current Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke is excited to play outdoors in his home state.

Peeke was born and raised in Parkland, Florida, and admitted that playing hockey outside wasn’t something he’d do. However, he’s eager to play outside at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, when the Bruins take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in a Stadium Series game.

“Me and a couple of my buddies who have gotten to this point, we take a lot of pride in being from Florida because we know there are only so few of us,” Peeke said on Saturday after the Bruins’ practice.

“Being able to play an outdoor game and experience that – I would’ve never guessed that they could pull this off growing up as a kid, but it’s going to be pretty special.”

Although Peeke will have plenty of family and friends in attendance on Saturday, the focus for him and the Bruins is getting the win and two points against a division rival.

“It breaks us up from the normal routine. I think we’re so wired to waking up, coming to the rink, playing a game, going home, all the same type of stuff,” Peeke said.

“I think this comes at a good time, where we’re playing good hockey, we feel good about ourselves. But at the same time, we know it’s a necessary two points.”

Peeke enters the game with four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 54 games. He’s set to skate on Boston’s third-pairing on Sunday alongside Nikita Zadorov.

The Bruins enter play with a record of 32-20-3 and are 8- 1- 1 in their last 10 games.