BostonBruins.com — The current Boston Bruins Prospects Report includes information on Providence, the NCAA, and juniors.
Providence
Georgii Merkulov represented the Providence Bruins and the Atlantic Division at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic in San Jose on Monday night. The Ryazan, Russia native scored two goals and assisted once in the round-robin event, helping the Atlantic Division advance to the finals.
Head Coach Ryan Mougenel believes Merkulov earned this opportunity after excelling this season.
“The biggest thing for Georgii is that he’s making noise with his offensive play,” stated Mougenel in a statement. “He’s getting people’s attention and standing out. He exemplifies those that aren’t drafted. They have to go and make noise, and he has done so.”
The Providence Bruins’ six-game winning streak has relied heavily on goaltending, and Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro were particularly effective this week. Bussi, a native of Sound Beach, New York, stopped 26 of 28 shots in a 4-2 victory over Charlotte on Friday. He has won his previous eight starts, posting a 2.22 goals against average and a.926 save % during that time.
DiPietro, a Windsor, Ontario native, saved 35 of 37 shots he faced in a 4-2 victory over Charlotte on Saturday. He is presently sixth in the league in save percentage (.921) and seventh in goals against average (2.35).
Mougenel is pleased with the play of his two goaltenders this season.
“Even at times when the team hasn’t been good, Bussi and Michael have stood tall for us,” Mougenel told reporters. “Those guys are battlers who win. “They both have a winning pedigree and track record.”
Fabian Lysell had a fantastic two games in Charlotte, scoring in both of the 4-2 victories on Friday and Saturday. The native of Göteborg, Sweden, scored a power-play goal with a wrist shot from the left circle on Friday night to extend the lead and opened the scoring just over 5:30 into the first period of Saturday.
Mougenel believes Lysell’s playing has improved recently, even outside of the scoresheet.
“Fabian’s biggest attribute is how he sees the ice,” Mougenel added. “The scoring is nice, but for the better part of a month, the consistency in his game has been there.”
NCAA
Ty Gallagher and the Boston University Men’s Hockey team advanced to the Beanpot Finals after defeating their Commonwealth Avenue rivals, Boston College, 4-3 on Monday night at TD Garden. The junior defenseman has three assists this season for the Terriers, who are ranked third. Boston originally chose the Clarkston, Michigan native in the seventh round (217th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Ryan Walsh has had an outstanding freshman season at Cornell University. The Rochester, New York native has nine goals and four assists for the No. 13-ranked Big Red. Boston originally chose the forward in the sixth round (188th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Juniors
Chris Pelosi has made significant contributions to the Sioux Falls Stampede in his second USHL season. The Sewell, New Jersey native is tied for 13th in the league with 40 points and 16 goals. Boston originally chose the forward in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
