Bruins 2022 Draft Pick Still Waiting to Make Debut For UMass

This past summer, UMass-Amherst Hockey Coach Greg Carvel had some positive things to say about Boston Bruins 2022 fourth-round draft pick Dans Locmelis. “I’ve been very impressed with him,” Carvel told NESN.com during Hockey East media day at TD Garden. “He’s a really competitive kid. He’s not the biggest kid, (and) he needs to get stronger, but he took some steps this summer. Being on campus was very helpful for him. Just very positive. He competes hard. He’s quick on his feet. I love the competitive edge that he has. And he has a great attitude, always smiling and very just grateful for the opportunities.”

Locmelis has been considered a sleeper pick by Boston after having a great season for Lulea in the Swedish J20 Nationell league in 2022-23 with 59 points in 44 games. The 6-foot-2, 172-pound center was also a top player for Latvia in the World Championships. After committing to UMass, however, the left-shot forward has had to wait to make his college hockey debut in the States.

The UMass hockey team has played three games so far all without their 20-year-old freshman. Locmelis played two games in 2021-22 for Lulea in the Swedish Hockey League, a professional league. Although not confirmed, this could be the reason for the 119th overall pick has yet to suit up for the 2-1 Minutemen.

Locmelis has climbed up the Bruins prospect pool charts since being selected and is currently 9th on the Bruins Benders Podcast Top 30 Bruins Prospects list. The Latvian native was deemed by Elite Prospects as a forward who “uses crossovers on the rush to keep his approach deceptive. He uses the width of the ice, scans for teammates, and passes to them early in transition sequences. He protects pucks in the offensive zone, attacks gaps in coverage, and reloads above the puck when his team loses it. He also keeps his stick in passing lanes to intercept opposing passes.”

UMass will play their next games on Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21, against Minnesota State, and Locmelis has not been announced to be in the lineup but could make his debut on that weekend. It will be a good barometer for Locmelis to play in Hockey East and see how far his development has come from this summer.

Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins. – Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Cam Neely gets defensive over drafting.- Don Sweeney wants a coach who can evolve offensively.- Sweeney says Bruins won't play young and exciting players until they earn their stripes.- Charlie Jacobs won't roll back the ticket increase.& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 

1. Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins. 47:13
2. Season 4. Episode 28. A Major Announcement 01:02:59
3. Season 4. Episode 27. Losing, It's Called Bruins. 43:43
4. Season 4. Episode 26. Is Swayman a Diva? 37:06
5. Season 4. Episode 25. It's Not a Retool 49:43