The Boston Bruins were without a first or second-round draft pick in the 2023 NHL Draft but still tried to find some value as General Manager Don Sweeney made his first selection at pick number 92 in the third round and chose forward Chris Pelosi out of Sewell, New Jersey. The 6-foot-1, left-shot center played last season with both the Janesville Jets (NAHL) and Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), posting 19 points (13 goals, 6 assists) in 43 games with the Stampede. He was ranked No. 127th overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
In the fourth round, the Bruins selected 6-foot-1 center Beckett Hendrickson out of the United States National Team Development Program. Hendrickson, the son of Minnesota Wild assistant coach Darby Hendrickson, was ranked 67th overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and was tabbed as a late second-round pick (No. 58 overall) by EliteProspects.com.
The Bruins made a point to look for size as they rebuild their forward group for the future, and these two young players fit the bill. As the 2023-24 season begins, the two are conveniently teammates with Sioux Falls and have started the season with immediate success. Playing on a line together, the two Bruins prospects are producing right out of the gate, with Pelosi collecting three goals and three assists in five games and Hendrickson totaling a goal and three assists.
Pelosi is doing his damage around the net with a good physical presence and a quick release. Hendrickson, the son of former NHLer Darby Hendrickson, has good vision and passing skills which has been a perfect match for his linemate Pelosi. The Minnetonka, Minnesota native also has speed and an aggressive edge to his game.
Currently, the Stampede is in the top spot in the USHL Western standings at 4-0-1, and Pelosi and Hendrickson are leading the way. Sioux Falls will play the Providence College commit Trevor Connelly and the Tri-City Storm on Friday night. This will be the last season in Sioux Falls for Pelosi as he is committed to Quinnipiac University for the 2024-25 season. Hendrickson will head to the University of Minnesota next season.
