Previewing the Boston Bruins’ NCAA Sophomore Prospects for 2024-25 – The Hockey Writers –

During the 2023-24 season, the Boston Bruins had just two draftees playing as freshmen in NCAA hockey. One was Dans Locmelis, a 2022 fourth-round draft pick out of Latvia who was playing under 2021 National Champion, Greg Carvel, at the University of Massachusetts. The other was Ryan Walsh, a 2023 sixth-round draft pick out of the United States Hockey League (USHL) playing under Mike Schaefer at Cornell University.

Both players made it to the Springfield Regional in the NCAA Tournament, but neither could make it into the Frozen Four from there, ending a potential Cinderella run for both the Minutemen and the Big Red.

Going into year two, both players are looking to make strides in their game and up their numbers despite already having an impact on both of their respective programs.

Bruins Should Be Optimistic Looking at Their Second-Year Players

Going into the 2024-25 season, the Bruins do not have many prospects playing in their sophomore season in the NCAA, but that should not be a cause for concern for fans.

In fact, it is more about the quality of players, rather than the quantity, that will be examined here. Both played past the regular season and into the tournament and excelled. Boston will most likely keep closer tabs on Locmelis given his proximity, but that is not to say they won’t be monitoring Walsh, who was one of the country’s better freshmen a season ago.

Both players had promising starts to their collegiate careers, whether numbers show it or not, and it’s up to them now to prove Bruins management right for drafting them.

Dans Locmelis – University of Massachusetts (Forward)

2023-24 stats (30 games): seven goals, seven assists

After not immediately playing due to a technicality of him playing two games in the Swedish Hockey League and not committing to a college immediately following the 2022 Draft, Locmelis made his presence known on the ice for UMass in the 2023-24 season.

When he came into the season, fans and media members alike were not sure what to make of Locmelis, but in just his third collegiate game against Boston University, he scored his first goal while also attempting four shots in the game. The total was tied for third-most on the team that night. He also won eight out of the 14 faceoffs he took.

While his offensive numbers may not speak volumes about him as a player, what stuck out in his freshman year was his ability in the faceoff circle and blocking shots….