One of the top players in the draft was acquired by Boston as a result of the Bruins’ first-round return.
Right-shot forward Dean Letourneau, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound centre, was chosen by the Bruins with the 25th overall pick.
Letourneau’s evaluation is more difficult because he played junior hockey in 2023–24 at St. Andrews College, a Canadian prep school. However, in 56 games, he scored 127 points (61 goals, 66 assists). Letourneau’s college career was initially scheduled to begin in 2025–2026. However, it is currently anticipated that the Boston College player will abandon his intention to play for Sioux Falls in the USHL and sign with the Eagles one year ahead of schedule.
Scouts found Letourneau’s speed impressive considering his size. For the Bruins, it’s a high-risk, high-reward choice.
Letourneau was ranked 23rd among North American skaters by Central Scouting, but his director, Dan Marr, told NHL.com that he was difficult to rank.
Marr stated, “It’s not just hard for us, it’s hard for the 32 clubs as well.” “All of our full-time scouts saw him play last year, this year, and we got to watch him play two games with Sioux Falls (United States Hockey League) during the Christmas break. We had seen St. Andrew’s quite a bit.”
“This is not the first time that guys from high schools and prep schools have played a few games in the USHL and appeared a little bewildered. Thus, that gives you a brief overview of a comparison. However, we were happy to see that Letourneau, playing Sioux Falls, was really in control of the play; he was reading it, he was moving, and he was positioned well. He was on top of the play, in the right place at the right time, and backchecked defensively with purpose. He’s got size, skating ability, and a fair amount of hockey knowledge.
We just know that he knows how to get open and get those scoring opportunities. The numbers are a touch off the charts, and you can’t compare apples to oranges.
He was dubbed one of the most peculiar guys in the draft by Corey Pronmon of The Athletic. He penned:
“Letourneau is one of the top prep prospects to come out of St. Andrew’s College. He was a dominant player this season.” His arsenal is a little different. For a 6-foot-6 man, he skates quite well. What makes him so attractive for his pro potential is that he has a legitimate offensive touch to go along with his feet. He can produce numerous scoring opportunities by dangling opponents while they are in midair. Letourneau doesn’t always compete with a lot of intensity, and some scouts have doubts about his effort, but he can reach the middle and isn’t hesitant to use his body. How serious Letourneau’s offence is will be the topic of discussion. The athlete is clearly visible, but does he truly possess NHL intelligence or scoring prowess? Given the lack of competition he encountered during the season, it’s very difficult to pinpoint. He might be Riley Tufte or Joe Colborne, but he might also be Tage Thompson. I believe he comes to an end in the midst.
Letourneau has a lot of potential, according to Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting.
Smith remarked, “I think it’s hard to find a player with his size and length to have good feet and soft hands.” “He has the ability to make plays around the net with vision and common sense and score.” He still has a tonne of paperwork to complete.
In order to choose Cole Beaudoin at No. 24, Utah traded with Colorado to get ahead of the Bruins. During the draft broadcast, ESPN conjectured that Boston would have been the likely choice to select him.
Since acquiring Fabian Lysell in the 2021 draft, he is the Bruins’ first selection in the first round. Since then, Don Sweeney has surrendered his top pick each year—including this one—but they were able to reclaim it.
Originally owned by the Bruins, they transferred the 25th pick to Detroit in exchange for Tyler Bertuzzi at the 2023 deadline. Alex DeBrincat was moved to Ottawa by the Red Wings. Linus Ullmark was traded back to Boston by the Senators along with goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo and winger Mark Kastelic.
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