Player Profile: Matt Grzelcyk

Bruins Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk Celebrates Late Game Winning Goal Vs. Leafs
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Matthew Grzelcyk was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on January 5, 1994. Grzelcyk played one year at The Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Massachusetts, as a 15-year-old and scored two goals with 18 assists in 31 games in 2009-10, earning him honorable mention honors in the Independent School League. The defenseman would jump to the United States National Development Program the next season and play for the U-17 team. Grzelcyk scored two goals with 16 assists in 55 games and also played for them on an international level. In 2011-12, the diminutive blue liner played for the U-18 team and had three goals and 20 assists in 60 games.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenseman chose to attend Boston University to play his college hockey close to home. In his freshman season, Grzelcyk had identical offensive numbers to his previous season, but this time in just 38 games. In his sophomore season, the left-shot defender had three goals and eight assists in 19 games with the Terriers. He played five games in the World Junior Championships for the United States and excelled with two goals and four assists, the most goals and assists by a defenseman in the tournament.

Grzelcyk became captain of the Boston University hockey team as a junior and had his best season with ten goals and 28 assists in 41 games, making first-team All-American as the Terriers won the Hockey East Conference Championship. In his senior season, the two-year captain was a first-team All-American again and was honored as the top NCAA defenseman in New England.

Matt Grzelcyk Drafted 85th Overall by the Boston Bruins in 2012

The Boston Bruins selected Grzelcyk with the 85th pick in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft. Grzelcyk was the 27th defenseman chosen in a blue-liner-heavy draft that saw eight defensemen drafted within the first ten picks. The hometown kid signed a two-year, $1.85 million contract with Boston on April 1, 2016, shortly after his final collegiate game. It was a dream come true for a Charlestown kid whose dad has worked for many years at the Boston Garden, now TD Garden. Grzelcyk began his professional career with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and played 70 games in 2016-17, scoring six goals with 26 assists and a plus-13 rating. The skilled defenseman would play just 14 more games with Providence before becoming a full-time NHL player.

Grzelcyk’s NHL Debut To Today

Matt Grzelcyk made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on December 14, 2016, in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins and played just over 14 minutes of ice time with three shots and a blocked shot. Grzelcyk played only two games with the Bruins that year. His first NHL goal came on November 24, 2017, also against Pittsburgh.

Grzelcyk has now played in 364 career regular season games, totaling 22 goals and 97 assists with a plus 112 rating. In 59 postseason games, Grzelcyk has five goals, nine assists, and a minus 18 rating. The defender has one more year left on a four-year, $14.75 million extension he signed on October 17, 2020. Grzelcyk will turn 30 years old in January.

Season 3. Episode 20. Mail it in March Bruins Benders Podcast

Inside The Rink credentialed writer Lance Shrock joins us to talk about Andrew Peeke! Linus Ullmark responds after the trade talk. The Bruins have an identity but need to buy in. Which UFAs do you keep this offseason? All of these topics and much more!DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirements. Eligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued aree bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.
  1. Season 3. Episode 20. Mail it in March
  2. Season 3. Episode 19. Deadline Day
  3. Season 3. Episode 18. OT Again?
  4. Season 3. Episode 17. 9 Round TKO
  5. Season 3. Episode 16. Carolina Blues

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