Don Sweeney has been the final supervisor of the Boston Bruins since Could 20, 2015. The 16-year veteran was an eighth-round decide (166th total) within the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He ultimately debuted through the 1988-89 season and wore the Spoked B for 15 years, departing the membership in 2003 to play one season with the Dallas Stars.
As a member of the Bruins, Sweeney performed 1,052 video games (fourth in staff historical past) and skated within the 1990 Stanley Cup Ultimate. Upon retirement, the previous Harvard College skater returned to Boston and have become Director of Participant Growth in 2006. Inside a yr, he additionally earned the title of Director of Hockey Operations, holding each positions concurrently till changing into Assistant Normal Supervisor in 2009.
Associated: 2024 NHL Draft Information
In 2015, his former teammate and Bruins President Cam Neely promoted him to Normal Supervisor simply weeks earlier than the Entry Draft. Since that summer time, Sweeney has participated in 9 drafts, along with his tenth on the horizon on June 28 in Las Vegas.
Because the fifth longest-tenured Normal Supervisor within the NHL, the 2024 Entry Draft shall be a giant second for Sweeney since he has traded away all his picks from the primary, second, and third rounds and isn’t deciding on till decide 122 until he trades up. Contemplating that the Bruins are ravenous for an additional Stanley Cup title, it’s secure to say immediately’s contending lineup is loaded with Sweeney draft picks.
2015 Entry Draft
Heading into the 2015 Entry Draft (in Florida), Sweeney had a aggressive edge regardless of being on the job for only a month, having served as Assistant Normal Supervisor for a number of seasons. He knew what the Bruins wanted and wasn’t afraid to make a splash. The newly minted Normal Supervisor made a number of trades in what needs to be thought of the wildest Entry Draft in franchise historical past. He made three consecutive picks within the first spherical, at thirteenth (Jakub Zboril), 14th (Jake DeBrusk), and fifteenth total (Zachary Snyshyn).
- Jakub Zboril (thirteenth total)
- Jake DeBrusk (14th total)
- Zachary Snyshyn (fifteenth total)
- Brandon Carlo (thirty seventh total)
- Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (forty fifth total)
- Jeremy Lauzon (52nd total)
- Daniel Vladar (seventy fifth total)
Concerning the seven picks he made. DeBrusk (465 video games) and Brandon Carlo (554 video games) have turn into regulars within the Boston lineup. His choices have performed 1,505 video games within the league after the 2023-24 season.
To pile up draft picks, Sweeney made some trades, first flipping Carl Soderberg to the Colorado Avalanche for a sixth-round decide in 2016, then sending Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames for 3 picks within the 2015 Entry Draft, a first-round and two second-round ones. He wasn’t accomplished but, delivery Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings for Martin Jones, Colin Miller, and a conditional first-rounder in 2015. Then, he rotated and despatched Jones to the San Jose Sharks for Sean Kuraly and a first-round decide in 2016.
2016 Entry Draft
Sweeney did fairly nicely as a first-time NHL Normal Supervisor on the 2015 Entry Draft however considerably improved the Bruins group on the 2016 occasion, deciding on Charlie McAvoy. After seven seasons, the 26-year-old defenseman is already an alternate captain and one of many group’s future captains.
Nevertheless, McAvoy wasn’t the one gem within the 2016 Entry Draft, as his second decide became Trent Frederic, probably the greatest bottom-six skaters within the Bruins lineup. Though he hasn’t performed as lengthy with Boston as McAvoy has, it may very well be argued that Frederic is without doubt one of the core members of the staff’s present lineup, repeatedly engaged on his recreation, and can sooner or later be a 20-goal scorer.
- Charles McAvoy (14th)
- Trent Frederic (twenty ninth)
- Ryan Lindgren (forty ninth)
- Joona Koppanen (one hundred and thirty fifth)
- Cameron Clarke (136th)
- Oskar Steen (one hundred and sixty fifth)
If Sweeney may have a do-over with any of his draft picks, flipping Ryan Lindgren to the New York Rangers for Rick Nash could also be on the prime of the record. Regardless of not being as offensive as his teammates, Lindgren is a hard-hitting defender who rallies his teammates by placing his physique on the road each night time. General, Sweeney’s choices from 2016 have skated in 1,136 video games.
2017 Entry Draft
It doesn’t matter what Sweeney does as a Normal Supervisor from immediately till the tip of his tenure, his most vital transfer shall be drafting Jeremy Swayman as a 19-year-old out of the USHL. From there, the native of Anchorage, Alaska, would skate on the College of Maine earlier than serving as Tuukka Rask’s understudy, ascending to a shared workload with Linus Ullmark. Regardless that he’s a restricted free agent in 2024, Swayman is the way forward for the crease and is without doubt one of the gamers Sweeney can construct his staff round.
General, Sweeney made six picks within the 2016 Entry Draft, with Urho Vaakanainen, Jack Studnicka, and Swayman making it into the NHL. They’ve mixed for 375 video games and 41 factors, with Swayman incomes an help. Vaakanainen was swapped in a commerce for Hampus Lindholm in 2022 after simply 31 video games with the Bruins.
- Urho Vaakanainen (18th)
- Jack Studnicka (53rd)
- Jeremy Swayman (111th)
- Cedric Pare (173rd)
- Victor Berglund (195th)
- Daniel Bukac (204th)
Studnicka performed 38 video games in Boston earlier than a 2022 commerce with the Vancouver Canucks for Michael Dipietro and Jonathan Myrenberg. In the meantime, Cedric Pare (148 video games) and Victor Berglund (51 video games) have solely superior to the AHL. On the similar time, Daniel Bukac has not performed professionally in North America, skating in his native Czechia since 2019.
2018 Entry Draft
After hitting a few dwelling runs and a few doubles in his first three Entry Drafts, Sweeney didn’t uncover any gems in 2018. Of the 5 choices he made on the Dallas occasion, just one, Jakub Lauko, skated within the NHL. With no first-round decide traded away within the Rick Nash deal, the Bruins Normal Supervisor didn’t choose anybody till 57th total, Axel Andersson. The Swedish defenseman performed briefly within the QMJHL and 84 video games within the AHL earlier than returning dwelling to play within the SHL.
- Axel Andersson (57th)
- Jakub Lauko (77th)
- Curtis Corridor (119th)
- Dustyn McFaul (181st)
- Pavel Shen (212th)
As talked about, Lauko, Boston’s third-round choice at 77th total, constructed himself up with the Windfall Bruins with 134 video games over 4 seasons from 2019 to 2023 and performed 60 video games within the NHL in 2023-24. Of the ultimate three choices, solely Curtis Corridor has superior to the AHL, the place he’s performed 124 video games whereas spending time within the ECHL. Dustyn McFaul performed 5 seasons at Clarkson College and now skates within the ECHL, and Pavel Shen briefly performed within the AHL (51 video games) earlier than returning to Russia and the KHL.
2019 Entry Draft
In 2019, the Bruins retained their first-round decide and, after shedding within the Stanley Cup Ultimate to St. Louis, dropped to thirtieth within the draft. Sweeney used that spot to pick John Beecher, who made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and is the one one out of the Boston picks from this class to make it into the NHL up to now. At 23, he’s nonetheless growing his recreation and had 10 factors in his first 52 video games. Given the right plan, Beecher, listed at 6-foot-3 and 216 kilos, shall be a future mainstay within the Bruins lineup, with 12 playoff video games underneath his belt already.
- John Beecher (thirtieth)
- Quinn Olson (92nd)
- Roman Bychkov (154th)
- Matias Mantykivi (185th)
- Jake Schmaltz (192nd)
Boston didn’t make any choices in spherical two, so their subsequent decide was ahead Quinn Olson. He spent 5 seasons on the College of Minnesota-Duluth and made a one-game look within the AHL in 2023-24. Defenseman Roman Bychkov (154th total) has but to come back to North America to play, constructing his profession within the KHL, whereas Matias Mantykivi has accomplished the identical in Finland. The Bruins’ ultimate decide within the 2019 Entry Draft was Jake Schmaltz (192nd total), who graduated from the USHL program and now skates with the College of North Dakota.
2020 Entry Draft
After taking on the Normal Supervisor duties, Sweeney had solely drafted a handful of impression gamers like DeBrusk, McAvoy, Frederic, and Swayman. Though a few of his choices are nonetheless growing in leagues across the globe, his first decide within the 2020 Entry Draft, Mason Lohrei, is on a path to being an NHL common in 2024-25.
Because the first participant born in Louisiana to make it to the NHL, Lohrei regarded like a pure in his first 41 video games. Whether or not enjoying confidently, taking dangers within the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, or shutting down opponents on his personal finish, this younger defenseman has the instruments to be a top-pairing defender who may rating 10 objectives.
- Mason Lohrei (58th)
- Trevor Kuntar (89th)
- Mason Langenbrunner (151st)
- Riley Duran (182nd)
Regardless that the 2020 Entry Draft was 4 years in the past, Lohrei is the one prospect from this Bruins class to make it into the NHL. Trevor Kuntar (89th total) lately debuted with Windfall, the identical with Riley Duran (182nd total), who bought into 11 video games in 2023-24. Solely Mason Langenbrunner (151st total) has but to make it professionally, skating at Harvard College since 2022.
2021 Entry Draft
The 2021 Entry Draft was the second time in Sweeney’s tenure as Normal Supervisor that he had seven draft picks in a yr. As of the summer time of 2024, none of those choices have skated within the NHL, however Fabian Lysell (twenty first total) might be the closest prospect to interrupt by way of. After a productive season within the WHL, he has been in Windfall since 2022 and had a bounce-back efficiency in 2023-24 with 50 factors in 56 video games.
- Fabian Lysell (twenty first)
- Brett Harrison (eighty fifth)
- Philip Svedeback (117th)
- Oskar Jellvik (149th)
- Ryan Mast (181st)
- Andre Gasseau (213th)
- Ty Gallagher (217th)
Third-round decide Brett Harrison (eighty fifth total) has additionally been in Windfall for 2 seasons however has but to place up the identical numbers he did within the OHL. With Swayman being the highest drafted goalie within the group, Sweeney didn’t choose one other netminder till Philip Svedeback (117th total) within the 2021 Entry Draft. After ending his junior days in Sweden, Svedeback has come to North America and now skates with Windfall School within the NCAA.
Associated: Bruins Don’t Have Historical past on Their Facet With 122nd decide
Fellow Swede Oskar Jellvik (149th total) opted to pursue school hockey, enjoying with Boston School (NCAA) for the previous two seasons, together with seventh-round decide Andre Gasseau (213th total). Ryan Mast (181st total) simply aged out of the OHL, spending most of 2023-24 with the Maine Mariners within the ECHL and dressing seven video games within the AHL with Windfall. Lastly, Ty Gallagher (217th total) performs in Boston on the NCAA degree with the Boston College Terriers, the place he simply accomplished his third season in 2023-24.
2022 Entry Draft
As talked about, Lohrei is the newest Bruins draft decide to debut, coming in a detailed second to Sweeney’s second-round decide from the 2022 class, Matthew Poitras. Regardless of being the 54th decide, Poitras has the ability set to be a top-six ahead in Boston and rating at the least 20 objectives sometime. At simply 20, he’s nonetheless bought time to develop his recreation and get well from an damage that lower his rookie marketing campaign quick after 33 video games. After a 95-point season within the OHL, he jumped straight to the NHL, skipping the minors and contributing greater than anticipated with 15 factors.
Sweeney’s subsequent decide on the 2022 Entry Draft after Poitras was Cole Spicer (117th total). He performs within the NCAA with the College of Minnesota-Duluth, the place he’s about to enter his third season in 2024-25. The Bruins ‘ second fourth-round decide was Latvian ahead Dans Locmelis (119th total). After years of junior hockey in Sweden, he had simply come to North America to play at UMass.
- Matthew Poitras (54th)
- Cole Spicer (117th)
- Dans Locmelis (119th)
- Frederic Brunet (132nd)
- Reid Dyck (183rd)
- Jackson Edward (two hundredth)
Frederic Brunet (132nd total) aged out of the QMJHL in 2023, the place he was captain for Rimouski Océanic, and earned a promotion to Windfall, the place he’s performed 49 video games within the AHL up to now. In the meantime, Sweeney chosen a goalie for the second consecutive draft, grabbing Reid Dyck (183rd total), who performs with the Swift Present Broncos within the WHL. Lastly, the Bruins’ ultimate decide in 2022 was Jackson Edward (two hundredth total), a defenseman who simply completed his fourth season with the London Knights within the OHL.
2023 Entry Draft
Sweeney and the Bruins didn’t have a first-round choice for the second consecutive season within the 2023 Entry Draft. Furthermore, the group didn’t make a decide till the third spherical, once they referred to as Christopher Pelosi’s identify as 92nd total. At 19, he’s departed from the USHL and is ready to make his NCAA debut in 2024-25 with Quinnipiac College. Pelosi received’t be the one prospect leaping from the USHL to the NCAA, as Beckett Hendrickson (124th total) will skate with the College of Minnesota within the fall of 2024.
- Christopher Pelosi (92nd)
- Beckett Hendrickson (124th)
- Ryan Walsh (188th)
- Casper Nassen (214th)
- Kristian Kostadinski (220th)
Boston’s sixth-round decide, Ryan Walsh (188th total), received’t be enjoying Divison 1 NCAA hockey, as a substitute suiting up with Johnson & Wales College in Division III. Nevertheless, Casper Nassen (214th total) is signed to play at Miami College for the 2024-25 season, whereas fellow Swede Kristian Kostadinski (220th) will keep in Sweden and play within the J20 Nationell league.
Historic Perspective
Sweeney has made 54 draft picks throughout his tenure because the Bruins’ Normal Supervisor. Twenty have skated within the NHL, whereas many are nonetheless rising on the junior and minor league ranges. These gamers have wearing 3,225 video games and scored 328 objectives with 667 assists for 995 factors. In the meantime, the goalies have performed in 207 video games, incomes a 116-56-25 report.
Though the jury continues to be out on his most up-to-date draft choices, since only a few have made an impression at any skilled degree, it’s secure to say that Sweeney has accomplished a fabulous job at drafting the goalie of the longer term in Swayman, a possible future captain in McAvoy, and a fan favourite who is without doubt one of the staff’s hardest employees in Frederic.
Associated: 4 Bruins Trades That Formed Their 2024 NHL Draft Place
Moreover, he has discovered some excellent younger gamers exterior of the primary spherical in Lohrei and Poitras, who will profit from enjoying out the rest of David Pastrnak’s prime seasons, serving to Boston stay in rivalry for the Stanley Cup. Regardless of buying and selling away a laundry record of draft picks up to now 9 years, Sweeney and his draft staff proceed compensating for misplaced alternatives by deciding on gamers contributing on the NHL degree immediately.
In fact, not each fan will agree with the trades or the draft picks. Nonetheless, Sweeney performed most of his profession in a black and gold sweater and understands the significance of piecing collectively a aggressive lineup each night time. Regardless that the present Bruins lineup is a stable mixture of homegrown expertise and acquisitions from different golf equipment, his legacy will in the end heart round the place his draft picks find yourself and whether or not or not they helped Boston win one other Stanley Cup.
