The Boston Bruins made their final roster moves prior to the 5 p.m. deadline on Monday. The team announced that forward Patrick Brown was sent down to Providence of the American Hockey League. Also moving down 95 from Boston is defenseman Mason Lohrei who performed well in the preseason logging heavy minutes and contributing both offensively and defensively. The 2020 second-round draft pick stood out and made the decision on whether to keep him on the roster a difficult one. But with veterans Derek Forbort and Matt Grzelcyk entering the final years of their contracts and Kevin Shattenkirk added to the mix, Lohrei was able to move down to the minors for more seasoning.
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Lohrei is 6-foot-5, 211 pounds plays an aggressive offensive style with smooth skating and puck-moving ability. His breakouts out of the defensive zone have been impressive, and the former Ohio State Buckeye looked very comfortable playing with Charlie McAvoy on his right side. The sky is the limit for the Madison, Wisconsin native, who is sure to make his NHL debut at some point this season. Lohrei played five games at the end of last season in Providence and has one assist.
Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy reported that General Manager Don Sweeney was “working the phones” to try to make a trade up until the roster deadline to potentially keep Lohrei in Boston to start the season. However, nothing materialized, and Lohrei will begin the season in Providence, as will the 31-year-old Brown, who was signed to a two-year deal in July.
The Bruins open the season at TD Garden Wednesday night at 7:30 pm against number one overall 2023 draft pick Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.
