As the 2024-25 season approaches, the Boston Bruins have created competition for a few roster spots. Second-line right-wing and fourth-line forwards are needed, and several players will compete to crack the lineup on opening night. Training camp will also showcase several prospects in the Bruins’ system as the organization looks to replenish a recently depleted prospect pool. The Bruins Benders Podcast has ranked the top 30 Bruins’ prospects, and here is the countdown, beginning with the bottom ten rated from 15 to 11.
15 – Michael Callahan – Defenseman – Providence Bruins (AHL)
Callahan was acquired in 2022 from the Arizona Coyotes, who drafted the defenseman in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft. The Franklin, Massachusetts native played 70 games with the Providence Bruins last season as an assistant captain and scored four goals with 13 assists. The 24-year-old blue-liner will be good insurance in Providence if the defensive core in Boston experiences some injury issues this season.
14 – Ryan Walsh – Forward – Cornell University (NCAA)
Walsh is a center drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. After a very productive season in the USHL, where the 6-foot, 185-pound forward posted 79 points, Walsh contributed 12 goals and ten assists in 35 games with Cornell University in his freshman season. The Rochester, New York native remains at Cornell and is an intriguing prospect as he progresses as a solid forward who sticks to details.
13 – Beckett Hendrickson – Forward – University of Minnesota (NCAA)
Hendrickson was a fourth-round pick in 2023 and shows promise as a center. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound forward spent time with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL on a line with fellow Bruins prospect Chris Pelosi and registered 18 goals and 25 assists in 43 games before being dealt to the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he contributed nine goals and 12 assists in 16 games and then three goals and four assists in 11 postseason contests. Hendrickson will spend the 2024-25 season with his hometown, University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
12 – Trevor Kuntar – Forward – Providence Bruins (AHL)
Kuntar is a grinding, hard-to-play-against forward who projects as a bottom-six option very soon in the NHL. The former Boston College Eagle spent last season with the Providence Bruins and scored 10 goals with 10 assists in 70 games. Kuntar is 23 years old and was a third-round pick in 2020. The 6-foot, 200-pound Buffalo native will fight for a potential look with the Bruins in training camp.
11 – Chris Pelosi – Forward – Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
Pelosi is tracking to be a potential third-round steal from the 2023 Draft. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound center had a terrific season with the Stampede in the USHL last season, with 56 points in 55 games. Now, the 19-year-old, Sewall, New Jersey, will take his talents to Quinnipiac University for the 2024-25 season. Pelosi plays a physical style and is unafraid to make plays near the net.
The Bruins have dipped into the college free-agent pool recently as they have been without high-level draft picks. There are a few intriguing players towards the top of their prospect group as the 2024-25 hockey season begins. The Top 5 article is coming soon! Tune into the Bruins Benders Podcast on the Inside The Rink Youtube Channel!
