Bruins

The Bruins targeted a pair of forwards with high upside and two physical defensemen in this draft class.

Headlined by just their fourth first-round selection since 2017, the Bruins added four players to their prospect pipeline in the 2024 NHL Draft. 

Don Sweeney and his staff found themselves on the clock in the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds in Las Vegas — with Boston swinging for the fences with a 6-foot-7 pivot, a pair of left-shot defensemen, and a sharpshooting forward from the Ontario Junior Hockey League. 

Here’s what you need to know about the Bruins’ 2024 draft class:

Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College
First round (No. 25 overall)

The Bruins’ prospect pool has been short on high-end talent for some time — a direct byproduct of Sweeney and his staff relinquishing draft capital in hopes of pushing NHL rosters over the top.

Boston’s decision to deal Linus Ullmark to the Senators opened the door for the Bruins to add a blue-chip prospect with their re-acquired first-round selection. 

And with the 25th overall pick, the Bruins rolled the dice on one of the more intriguing players in the 2024 draft class in 6-foot-7 center Dean Letourneau. 

While Letourneau is far from the only 2024 prospect lauded for his playmaking prowess and agility, few youngsters feature that skill set while also boasting such an imposing frame. 

But Letourneau doesn’t exactly fit the mold as a prototypical power forward who relies on his heft alone to wreak havoc in the offensive zone.

The Boston College commit has drawn comparisons to Sabres’ sharpshooter (and 6-foot-6 center) Tage Thompson due to his similar frame and high-end skill — with Letourneau routinely stuffing the stat sheet last season against prep competition at St. Andrew’s College. 

The Braeside, Ontario native tallied 61 goals and 127 points in just 56 games for St. Andrew’s.

Even though his video-game stat line is hard to ignore, regression is to be expected moving forward for the 18-year-old Letourneau — given the elevated competition that awaits this fall with the Eagles.

As tantalizing as Letourneau’s blend of size and skill might be, his viability as a top-six stalwart at hockey’s highest level remains murky, given the questions about how his skills will translate against tougher opponents.

Still, patience should be preached for a promising, but very raw prospect like Letourneau. 

Much like how Thompson needed two seasons at UConn and a few years of NHL reps (just 18 goals in his first 145 career games) before taking off, a similar timeframe should be afforded to Letourneau. 

How he handles the expected growing pains at Chestnut Hill should shed some light on whether or not the Bruins have the next Thompson on their hands — or more of a bottom-six regular like Justin Brazeau or Michael Rasmussen.

“What stood out is the frame of the player and his skillset to tell you the truth. Not so much the positional side of things, but he moves very well at the size. He’s got very good hands, got an elite shot,” Don Sweeney said of Letourneau. “Most people will talk about the quality of competition at the level he’s played at. 

“It’ll be a big jump for him to go to Boston College next year, but the opportunity is laid in front of him with [Will] Smith leaving. So we think that’s going to be a great development opportunity for Dean to continue to grow and filling the gaps in his game.”

Elliott Groenewold, D, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Fourth round (No. 110 overall)

While upside was the name of the game with Boston’s decision to snag Letourneau in the first round, the Bruins opted for a no-frills, high-floor defenseman with their next pick in the fourth round.