Boston Bruins' 2024-25 NCAA Junior Prospects Preview – Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

In the 2024-25 season, the Boston Bruins will have four players entering their junior seasons at the NCAA level. This is where we not only enter the top tier of Bruins prospects, but we also meet their only goaltender in the NCAA rankings.

Of the four players in this category, all four play in the New England region. Three of the four play in the Hockey East Association, and one plays in the East Coast Athletic Conference.

There are two forwards, one defender, and, as mentioned before, one goalkeeper.

Boston's Expectations for These Four Will Be High in 2024-25

Given that these four are entering their junior seasons, Boston will want them to play at a very high level, and possibly even have discussions with some of them about signing contracts at the end of the season.

Although it is not considered that anyone will sign them, but it is something that the team managers and players should put in their minds as the season of colleagues is wrapping up.

It's possible that all four will be out of professional hockey by the end of the season, but the big decision will depend on them being healthy and playing at their best.

First things first, we'll talk to the frontrunners, both of whom are from the same school.

Oskar Jellvik – Boston College (Forward)

2023-24 stats: 41 games – 13 goals, 29 assists

When Oskar Jellvik was drafted in the fifth round in 2021, fans were excited to see what came out of that draft, since, despite the Bruins taking only three players that year, in retrospect, it can be considered one of the most exciting classes. on paper.

However, Jellvik put his collegiate season on hold for one year and returned to his native Sweden to play one season before joining the NCAA. In his first season with Boston College in 2022-23, he played in 31 games, scored four goals and collected 11 assists.

In his second season with the Eagles, he quickly turned it around. Jellvik finished the season playing in all 41 games for BC, scoring 13 goals and adding 29 assists. He was also awarded the Most Improved Player Award by BC Interruption.

Jellvik improved his numbers in the 2023-24 season, but it's still unclear if it's enough to push him over the edge and turn pro after this season. However, given his lifestyle, it wouldn't be surprising if he made the jump to professional hockey following the NCAA season like Providence College forward Riley Duran did after last season.

Stats predictions for 2024-25: 38 games – 17 goals, 31 assists

Andre Gasseau – Boston College (Forward)

2023-24 stats: 40 games – 12 goals, 17 assists

Following a freshman season that saw Andre Gasseau play in 32 games, score 10 goals, and add 17 assists, some fans may be expecting more from his second season in Chestnut Hill.

However, while Gasseau played in eight more games and scored two more goals in the 2023-24 season, he remained in the same position in assists. This can be looked at in three different ways.

The first way, of course, is in bad shape. Gasseau did not improve on his numbers again a lot, so there wasn't much progress. The second way is the direct way that he he did the better. He had two more goals than last season. The third, and perhaps the most realistic way to look at it, is a neutral point of view. Gasseau improved his numbers a bit, but not enough to move the needle very far.

The reality for Gasseau is that he will need to make his presence known on the ice in more ways than just on the score sheet. If not, he may need an extra year of college hockey.

Stats predictions for 2024-25: 37 games – 16 goals, 20 assists

Mason Langenbrunner (Defender) – Harvard University

2023-24 stats: 32 games, 0 goals, 5 assists

When you look at Harvard University's Mason Langenbrunner's stats for the 2023-24 season, they look less than stellar on paper as he was held without a goal, but, on the bright side, it wasn't for a lack of trying.

According to collegehockeynews.com, he ranked No. 13 on the Crimson in shots on goal for the entire 2023-24 season with 31. Remember, that's ahead of five other defensemen who saw ice time.

While the five-assist numbers won't blow anyone out of the water just by looking at them, they represent a high point for Langenbrunner, who collected just one point in his first season on one goal for his teammates. work.

Chances are Langenbrunner will need another season of collegiate conditioning under his belt before joining the professional ranks, despite his father Jamie being one of Boston's development coaches. The only caveat is if he significantly improves his numbers, which seems unlikely.

2024-25 statistics predictions: 31 games, 2 goals, 7 assists

Philip Svedeback (Goaltender) – Providence College

2023-24 stats: 35 games (35 starts), 18-13-4 record, 2.32 GAA, .900 SV%

To say that Philip Svedeback was the backbone of Providence College hockey in the 2023-24 season would be an understatement.

With three netminders on the roster including then-senior Zachary Borgiel and junior John Driscoll, Svedeback took the starting job as a sophomore and never looked back, playing in all 35 games and winning more than half of them while still a freshman. in it. Swedeback also held opposing teams to an average of less than 2.5 goals per game, and stopped 90% of the shots he faced.

Related: A preview of the Bruins' NCAA Sophomore Prospects for 2024-25

It's safe to say that the two will go head-to-head for the Friars this season, but Svedeback will be looking to hold on to the starting spot and with his stock rising to almost astronomical levels, it will be hard to tell how much he plays. time Driscoll will really get. With both forwards standing at 6-foot-3, it will be a platoon system — the University of Massachusetts had Cole Brady and Michael Hrabal last season — or it could be a case of whoever is on the roster getting the start.

The Bruins Will Be Watching These Four Very Closely

With four prospects entering their third season of college hockey, not only will the players have a decision to make, but so will the Bruins.

Although they are in their third season, it is safe to expect that all four players will be highly evaluated by Boston in the 2024-25 season, especially Gasseau and Jellvik who are playing the longest seasons of their careers thus far and will go one win away. national title.

There is certainly hope surrounding all four juniors for the 2024-25 season, but just how much of it will be at the end of the season remains to be seen.