After strong camp, Bruins 19-year old rookie makes roster

BOSTON — Matt Poitras said he wanted to make it “as difficult as possible” for the Bruins to send the rookie back to the Ontario Hockey League. And he did just that.

The Bruins announced their final round of cuts ahead of their season opener on Wednesday, and the cuts revealed that the 2022 second-round draft pick made the NHL team. Poitras isn’t eligible to play in Providence, so. that wasn’t an option like it was for Fabian Lysell.

All signs pointed to the 19-year-old making the team out of camp of late, including coach Jim Montgomery’s comments after Boston’s preseason finale against the New York Rangers.

“It certainly looks that way. He’s earned the right to stick around for a while, that’s for sure,” Montgomery said when asked if Poitras had done enough to earn a spot on the team. “He just seems to be in the right spots. He has the puck a lot and because he’s always in the right support position. And when he gets the puck, he’s poised with the puck. He’s poised beyond his years with the puck.”

Poitras scored three goals during the preseason in which he took advantage of as to not return to the OHL. He was tested by the Bruins and skated with several different linemates. Poitras played on the power play, penalty kill and saw action during 3-on-3 overtime. One thing was for certain: It didn’t matter where the Bruins put him, he was going to pass whatever test he was faced with.

“Matthew has stepped forward every challenge thus far,” general manager Don Sweeney said Monday during the team’s media day. “We’ll see if that continues. We’re hopeful it does and it’s a credit to him.”

The forward’s ability to adapt quickly was on display throughout the preseason, and it was impressive to see how the 19-year-old stacked up against the physicality of the NHL.

“I think I can come in here and try and make an impact. I know what type of player I am,” Poitras said Monday. “I think I’ve worked hard and I’ve earned my chance to start up here. Just try and work hard every day and stay here.”

The Bruins can use the first nine games of the season as an extended audition for Poitras. At that point they could return him to the Guelph Storm of the OHL without burning a year of his rookie contract.

Another move the Bruins made was sending Mason Lohrei to the AHL. The defensive prospect had a strong camp, but being able to build up his minutes on a consistent basis in Providence makes the most sense for the 2020 second-round draft pick.

While the 22-year-old won’t start the season in the NHL, he’s happy with how he performed throughout training camp. Lohrei logged heavy minutes, something that surely will continue with his development in the AHL.

“I’m happy with how I played this preseason and throughout camp, but I know that I have more to give, too,” he said Monday. “Just showing up every day and climbing the ladder and showing what I can do.”

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The Bruins open their 2023-24 season on Wednesday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.