The Bruins took the ice September 3rd for the first official team practice of the 2024-25 season! With all hands on deck, Head Coach Craig Newell set out to integrate new players with his returning core.
Newell is known not to have a "top" line or pair - every line will get similar opportunities to excel in all game situations. Through two practices the combinations looked like this:
Red Line: Aiden Loncar, AJ McCune, Benny Lazzaro
White Line: Carter Winiarski, Chase Newell, Hayden Hockaday
Yellow Line: Brody Hockaday, Joey Kinder, Nick Sobczyk
All three lines are running at a high pace through two practices - already producing several high danger chances and highlight goals, including a bar down snipe by Sobczyk from 25 feet.
The defense also had their moments closing gaps and playing physical enough to let the forwards know they have to earn every opportunity. The opening pairings appeared as follows, with different rotations throughout the drills:
Kamden Proper - Vance Graham
Jack Boddecker - Jake Nobel
Derek Wolski - Dario Savard
Wolski is the new addition to the blue line, but not to his initial partner. He and Savard occasionally paired during modified season at Grand Island.
With just over two weeks before the season open at Webster, the Bruins are coming together quickly - figuratively and literally - building on a strong finish to last years' campaign.