After a lengthy, agonising Day 1 for many Bruins fans, Don Sweeney and his staff entered Day 2 of the NHL Entry Draft with five total draft picks. Boston held just a third-round, fourth-round, sixth-round, and two seventh-round picks, after the team traded their second selection to the Anaheim Ducks as apart of the Hampus Lindholm deal back in 2021-22.
This year was no different to any other. Sweeney continued the trend of reaching into the nearby USHL, and NCAA ranks. The B's selected three players who played in the U.S. junior development programs this past season.
In addition, Sweeney's staff opted to select three first-year draft eligible players including Chris Pelosi (USHL), Beckett Hendrickson (USHL/U.S, National Team), and Kristian Kostadinski (Sweden). But with the 188th overall selection of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Boston's front office selected Ryan Walsh, an overage forward playing for Cedar Rapids of the USHL.
About Ryan Walsh
Walsh can be described as a bit of a late-blooming player, he failed to crack a USHL roster during the 2021-22 season (first-draft year), and opted to send the year playing U18 AAA, and prep school hockey.
The 2022-23 season was a massive stepping stone for the now overaged prospect. Walsh suited up for his first full-USHL season, notching his name on the leagues First All-Star Roster. The middle-sized forward impressed more and more throughout the season ending the year with an impressive 30 goals, and 49 assists in 61 regular season games.
The Next-Step
Walsh has committed to play at the University of Cornell (ECAC) for the upcoming 2023-24 season. This is a player that likely continues his development in the NCAA program for at least the next two season. Walsh is also expected to report to Bruins Development Camp, starting on July 2.
Ryan Walsh has a very good shot. One timer was utilized quite a bit for Cedar Rapids. Excited to see him in the NCAA next season. pic.twitter.com/SKNFh6nByM
— Robert Chalmers (@IvanIvanlvan) June 29, 2023
The Bruins have a long towering list of active players who have came, and developed from the ranks of the NCAA. The list includes, Charlie McAvoy (Boston University), and Matt Grzelcyk (Boston University).
Q/A
Q: Favourite NHL Team
A: Buffalo Sabres/Boston Bruins
Q: Favourite Player
A: Mark Stone
Q: Favourite rink you have played at
A: ImOn Ice (Home of Cedar Rapids of the USHL)
Q: Favourite Hockey Memory
A: Thanksgiving Teddy Bear Toss vs Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)