The Boston Bruins have found themselves near the bottom of NHL prospect pools as the season approaches in two months. Recent call-ups Mason Lohrei, Matt Poitras, and John Beecher are now most likely on the NHL roster, leaving the pool of young players a little thin yet again. As the 2024-25 season nears, here are players’ destinations within the Boston Bruins organization from the 2024 NHL Draft.
2024 Draft
Dean Letourneau (1st Round) – The Bruins had not picked in the first round since 2021 and traded to require the 25th selection in this year’s draft to choose the 6-foot-7 center from Ontario. Letourneau is a big forward with skating ability who showed signs of being a potential offensive force during the Bruins’ development camp. Letourneau will be able to show his skills with the Boston College Eagles this winter.
Elliott Groenewold (4th Round) – Groenewold is an intriguing talent as an aggressive defenseman with some offensive skill. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound blue liner also performed at development camp and turned some heads with his play. Groenewold spent one season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and contributed five goals and 11 assists. This winter, Groenewold will be a freshman at Quinnipiac University.
Jonathan Morello (5th Round) – Morello is a speedy, powerful skater and has the size at center that the Bruins covet. The Toronto native was a point-per-game player in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and will join the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL before heading to Clarkson University for the 2025-26 season.
Loke Johansson (6th Round) – At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Johansson is a big, physical defenseman who can be nasty. Johansson has been playing in Sweden in the J20 Nationell but was recently drafted in the first round by the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 18-year-old has a long way to go in his development, but his style could play well eventually in the pros.
The 2024 Draft is an important one for Boston as they try to find playmaking centers and big, tough defensemen who can potentially help the NHL club down the road. Letourneau is the big fish of the group, but the others could show some potential this season.
Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. – Bruins Benders Podcast
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With the exception of the first rounder I don’t think any of those other names mentioned will accomplish much. It’s tough to make the NHL just ask Lysell who I don’t think has the right stuff to make it this year. Lysell wasn’t even the 5th best player in Providence. Easily pushed off the puck, not as fast as everybody says he is, always trying to do too much he’s been watching too many Orr tapes.