The Boston Bruins have been on a tear throughout the 2022-23 season, as they have an NHL-leading 81 points heading into the 2023 All-Star break. It has been an incredible season for Boston fans and players, as everything seems to be going right as they look to bring the Stanley Cup back to Boston.
This year just got even more memorable for one player on the Bruins roster, as defenseman Matt Grzelcyk just received some fantastic news. The Charlestown, MA native is heading to the Beanpot Hall of Fame, but he won’t be the only person being enshrined in 2023.
He won’t even be the only Grzelcyk getting inducted this year as father John Grzelcyk, a long-time member of the TD Garden bull gang, will be joining his son in the Beanpot Hall of Fame.
In what will be a first for the Beanpot, both Grzelcyks will receive their Hall of Fame award next week during a ceremony in between semifinal games on Monday, February 6, at TD Garden. They’ll become the 59th and 60th members of the Beanpot Hall of Fame.
“It’s awesome. I never expected it. I never played here,” John Grzelcyk told WBZ-TV’s Dan Roche on Monday after the annual Beanpot Luncheon at TD Garden. “A lot of great players and great coaches who played in this thing probably deserve it more than me. I’m overwhelmed by it; it’s such an honor. Going in with my son is even more rewarding.”
“It’s that much more special to share this moment with him,” agreed Matt. “It’s very well deserved for all the sacrifices he’s made over the years.”
The Bruins defenseman was very familiar with the ice at TD Garden way before he ever put on the black and gold and spoked B as he played four seasons at Boston University. During his time at BU, he made three Beanpot appearances, winning MVP honors after he scored the game-winning goal in the championship game over Northeastern in 2015. Grzelcyk was also the captain of that Terriers team, which won the school’s 30th Beanpot title in 2015.
After his career at Boston University, which saw him amass 26 goals and 69 assists over 125 games, Grzelcyk was off to the blueline for the Bruins after being a third-round pick by the Boston in 2012.
Luckily for Matt, his father’s job never interfered with him watching his games. His father had a front-row seat for it all as part of the crew that flips the Garden ice to a parquet floor. Known by most as “Grizzy,” John has been a part of the TD Garden’s bull gang for 55 years and said that seeing his son score that game-winner in 2015 is one of his top three favorite moments.
The puck will drop on the 70th annual Beanpot on Feb. 6 at TD Garden, with Boston College playing Harvard at 5 p.m. and Boston University taking on Northeastern in the nightcap.
