BRIGHTON, Mass. — Among the many ahead prospects collaborating in a 1-on-1 possession drill at Boston Bruins growth camp final month, Brett Harrison and Matthew Poitras took middle stage. Fairly actually.
With the remainder of the pairs scattered throughout the ice at Warrior Ice Enviornment, the 2 competed on prime of the middle ice Spoked-B emblem. Final yr, Poitras emerged throughout coaching camp and earned a roster spot. This season, Harrison is seeking to do the identical.
“‘Potsy,’ he confirmed them final yr,” mentioned Harrison, chosen by Boston within the third spherical (No. 85) of the 2021 NHL Draft. “Made it arduous for them to ship him again to juniors, so that is what I will attempt to do.”
If Harrison doesn’t make the Bruins opening-night roster, the 21-year-old will return to Windfall of the American Hockey League, the place he had 14 factors (5 objectives, 9 assists) in 47 video games final season.
Harrison and Poitras, 20, have recognized one another since their days within the Ontario Hockey League.
Harrison performed 2 1/2 seasons with Oshawa, only a couple cities over from the place Poitras grew up in Ajax, Ontario. After Oshawa and Guelph, Poitras’ staff, every misplaced within the 2022 OHL Japanese Quarterfinals, they spent a month coaching collectively in Windfall, within the course of creating a lifelong friendship.
Poitras mentioned Harrison has one of many nicest photographs he has ever seen. Based mostly on his expertise final yr, he mentioned he would advise him to play with confidence and never attempt to change his sport.
“I simply tried to take every thing daily,” Poitras mentioned. “I actually did not have too many expectations, however simply tried to indicate my finest on daily basis and are available ready and do all the fitting issues. … I’d inform him the identical factor.”
With Poitras excelling as an NHL rookie (15 factors; 5 objectives, 10 assists in 33 video games) earlier than a season-ending shoulder damage Feb. 7, Harrison labored to determine himself within the AHL. He had a purpose and two assists in Windfall’s 6-0 victory in Recreation 2 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals towards Hartford on Could 3, his first skilled playoff sport.
The Bruins consider Harrison is simply scratching the floor of his offensive potential.
“He is getting actually dialed on this yr within the areas that he is aware of he wants to enhance on,” participant growth coordinator Adam McQuaid mentioned. “So he is in a great place, and I believe he is in all probability seeking to be just a little bit extra concerned offensively this season in Windfall. Possibly make a push to rise up and play some video games [in Boston].”
Harrison is specializing in including muscle mass and enhancing his skating. Even when he does not make the NHL roster in October, he hopes to place himself ready to take action earlier than later.
“I really feel much more snug, much more assured,” he mentioned. “I am simply attempting to indicate that on the ice and attempt to allow them to know that my sport can translate and can come out so much stronger this yr.”
