Bruins boast big group of defense prospects, with a bevy of beanstalkers sprouting at camp

There were some big doings at Bruins development camp earlier this month. And that was no more evident than among the defensive corps.

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Of the 11 blue liners who strapped on the blades for the four-day crash course in NHL life, 10 checked in at least 6 feet, 1 inch. Only Colorado College invitee Max Burkholder didn’t hit that mark. Though full disclosure: the speedy, crafty 5-10 Burkholder did not look a bit out of place among the sequoias on the backline.

At the top of the line was Kristian Kostadinski (6-6), followed by Vashek Blanar (6-5), Jacob Vandeven (6-5), Loke Johansson (6-3), Elliott Groenewold (6-2), Dylan MacKinnon (6-2), Michael Neumeier (6-2), Liam Pettersson (6-2), Lincoln Krizizke (6-1), and Cullen McCrate (6-1).

It’s a solid strategy. Size matters when it comes to defending, particularly at the NHL level. And even more so when towering defensemen use longer sticks, allowing them to have greater wingspan, leading to more effective poke-checking that forces forwards to take more in-direct routes and intricate passes to create threats.

In addition, their size allows them to close quickly, take away time and space, and break up plays in the neutral zone. In their own end, the beanstalkers can cut down shooting angles and make it difficult for opponents to get to the dangerous blue ice.

Vandeven was plucked by the Bruins in the fifth round of last month’s draft. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind few months for Vandeven, who changed teams — and positions — before getting the call from Causeway Street. He started last season with Komoka in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. A forward for as long as he could remember, coaches Johnny Warren and Rich Brown approached him about a switch to the back end.

“So, they sat me down, they’re like, ‘Listen, we’re going to put you in the game on defense tomorrow. You’re going to try it out. If you don’t like it after tomorrow, you can always switch back, but we recommend you trying five to 10 games there,’ ” Vandeven told the Globe.

So, without any practice time or even a single drill, Vandeven was thrown into the fire.

“We were going to play the best team in the league the next day. I was a little nervous for that, but then tried it out, stuck with it for 10 games, and just kept playing it from there,” Vandeven said.

It’s a similar story to that of current Bruins blue liner Mason Lohrei, who made the switch while at Culver (Ind.) Military Academy when a bunch of teammates were ailing.

Vandeven overcame those initial nerves and flourished as a defenseman. He credited his time as a forward with helping his adjustment.

“It was actually kind of nice for me knowing what forwards are thinking when they’re going to attack you,” he said. “You can kind of like read it, you kind of know what’s going on when they’re coming to attack you. I think just trying to defend that and then just like narrowing down on the little details, like making sure you have a good gap and stuff like that, which get better over time.”

Originally a draftee of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, Vandeven was traded to the London Knights near the end of the GOJHL season. In London, he continued his development as a two-way defenseman, suiting up for eight regular-season games and another four playoff tilts.

“It was great, honestly. It was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. London has been nothing but great. They got me to where I am today,” he said. “They gave me an opportunity to play, and then they trusted me enough to keep putting me in the lineup, so I can’t thank them enough. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Warren has connections with the Knights, and their scouts were regulars at the Komoka games. Word quickly spread about Vandeven’s rapid development on defense, and it helped spark the trade.

“So, we had a bunch of Knights scouts out to games and stuff like that, because we also had a couple other Knights prospects on my [Komoka] team,” said Vandeven. “So, they kind of saw me at those games and then just traded for me at the deadline, and I’m super grateful.”

Brothers Dale and Mark Hunter, both former NHL players, own and run the Knights. Vandeven said the entire organization made him feel comfortable following his arrival just after Christmas.

“They’ve developed so many great players that have gone and have successful careers in NHL, so they know what they’re talking about,” Vandeven said. “They know what they want out of you. They can see what you are as a future player will be, and they’ll do anything they can to help develop you. So, kind of just buying into them and listening to what they say, and listen to learn and develop under their way.”

Vandeven said work is on his summer agenda.

“I really want to get stronger, put on more muscle, which I think will help my game a lot, especially at D, being physical and intimidating back there,” he said. “So, a lot of time in the gym, and then just working on my footwork, my puck skills. I’m going to be skating a bit, so continuing to improve all my little aspects and areas of my game.”

Poised to play the 2026-27 season in London, Vandeven said the feedback from the Bruins’ staff was positive.

“Obviously, it’s the National Hockey League, so they know what they’re talking about, and they want what’s best for us,” he said. “So, they’re going to push us, they’re going to teach us and, yeah, I’ve learned a lot of things. It’s been a great camp and a great experience.”

Vandeven’s predraft contact with the Bruins was limited, but he did have a feeling a connection was made.

“I talked to them over the phone a few times, so I definitely knew it was like a possibility, but I’m super happy, super grateful to be drafted here. It’s such a great organization,” he said.

Bruins director of player development Adam McQuaid, who ran the camp, liked what he saw from Vandeven.

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“He’s a big body that has a ton of tools. And with him being somewhat new to the position, it’s kind of a blank slate,” said McQuaid, a 6-4, 210-pounder during his NHL blue line days. “He has really good instincts for defending. [He has a] good stick. He gets his stick on a ton of pucks at different drills that we were doing, and seems to have a level of calmness and comfort with the puck. So, it’s just going to be fun to get to work with him and see where we can get to.”

While center Dean Letourneau opened the most eyes at development camp, winger Will Zellers popped a few eyeballs himself.

Zellers could be the next young player acquired during Boston’s 2025 trade deadline purge to have an impact on the NHL roster.

A third-round pick of the Avalanche in 2024, Zellers was acquired as part of the Charlie Coyle deal. The Bruins also received forward Casey Mittelstadt and the No. 62 pick in the 2025 draft, which they used to select Pettersson.

Fraser Minten (obtained in the Brandon Carlo-to-Toronto trade) and Marat Khusnutdinov (acquired as part of the Justin Brazeau-to-Minnesota swap) provided big contributions last season, and Zellers could fall in line.

The camp was the capper on an eventful 2025-26 season for the 6-foot, 180-pound Zellers, who combines slick skating with exceptional vision and instincts to consistently generate scoring threats. As a freshman, the 20-year-old put up 18 goals and 34 points in 38 games at the University of North Dakota.

The jump from the USHL to the NCAA was a huge benefit.

“For sure, more. I mean, I think college hockey is at the best it’s been right now. With the rule change [allowing CHL players to enroll] and all these top talent kids coming,” said Zellers. “So, I think it for sure helped me.

“Pretty much every team you’re playing against, there’s at least a couple first rounders on each team. No matter who you play for or who you play against. Even a team like Denver, which they don’t have the biggest superstars, but they play so hard and so well.

“I think it was for sure a lot harder this year, but I think that just helps you prepare for the next level. You don’t want any level to be easy. So having to be a little hard was great for me.”

His 200-foot game, attention to details, and physicality all improved in his first season with the Fighting Hawks.

Zellers really shined at the World Juniors, where he collected five goals and three assists in five games for Uncle Sam. He was a late addition to the roster, but he made his mark right from the start.

The tournament, held in St. Paul, Minn., was extra special for Zellers, a native of nearby Maple Grove.

“Being at my home state, anytime you get to represent your country, it’s something so special and something I’ll never take for granted,” he said. “Anytime you get put on that USA jersey, they have a lot of pride in it. So, I mean, it was so special. Putting on that jersey, especially being in my hometown, having a lot of family there and my grandparents being able to come and see me — they don’t get to come out at UND too much. So having them there was pretty special.

“It takes a village to get to that point and it’s always great. Having everyone in my corner has helped me get there and made sacrifices, come out and enjoy a tournament like that.”

At Worlds, Zellers bonded with James Hagens. The two could be a big part of the Bruins offense of the future.

“Me and James got really close. He’s a funny guy,” Zellers said. “I mean, you can tell the way Boston drafts, they draft character first and then hockey skill second because you can change your skill, you can’t change your character.

“So, they’re drafting guys like Dino [Letourneau], James, [Jonathan] Morello, like just great overall guys, guys you want to be around. And he’s such a fun guy to be around. There’s no such thing as spending too much time with James. He’s a guy you can hang out with for hours. So we got really close there, and especially playing on the same line at the end there. It was a lot of fun and really excited for the future.”

While many expect Letourneau to make the jump to the pros at the end of Boston College’s season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Zellers finds himself in Black and Gold next spring as well.

Bruins coach Marco Sturm was recently awarded The Cross of Merit on Ribbon/Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The award is the nation’s highest civilian honor for outstanding service to the common good.

“Receiving this special honor fills me with tremendous gratitude and makes me incredibly proud,” Sturm wrote in an Instagram post. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank my family, my friends, and everyone who has supported me, guided me, and stood by my side throughout the years. None of this would have been possible without you. I am forever grateful.”

Among Sturm’s career highlights is coaching Germany to a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Quiz time: The Bruins have yet to name a captain for the 2026-27 season. Name the youngest captain in NHL history. Answer below … On the subject of captains, Ray Bourque’s annual Captain’s Ball will be held Oct. 1 at Agganis Arena. The event, which will feature current and former Bruins as well as local celebrities, raises money for the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass. General and the Peter Frates Family Foundation. More info here: pro.gofundme.com/event/2026-the-captains-ball-in-honor-of-pete-frates … There will be plenty of story lines and players to keep an eye on when the Bruins open training camp Sept. 15, and perhaps the most intriguing will be Matt Poitras. Still just 22, Poitras made the Bruins’ initial roster in 2023-24 and ′24-25. Injuries cut short his rookie season, and he was sent down after 33 games of his sophomore campaign. He’s put up 30 goals and 85 points in 109 games for AHL Providence and impressed in a three-game cameo with the varsity last season. Fellow forwards Hagens and JJ Peterka will command a ton of attention in camp, and this could allow a relaxed Poitras the chance to show his stuff and cement a permanent job at the NHL level … While we’re talking Baby Bs, the franchise lost its all-time leading scorer when center/left winger Georgii Merkulov (94 goals, 240 points in 271 games) signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche. Exceptionally gifted on the offensive end, Merkulov never fully bought into the 200-foot game and that kept his NHL opportunities to a minimum (11 total games). Merkulov will be reunited in Colorado (likely with the AHL’s Eagles) with Fabian Lysell, another former Providence forward … Patrick Kane’s return to Chicago (two years, $8 million per) takes the top free agent off the market. A low-risk, high-reward name out there is winger Patrik Laine, who has been dogged by injuries the last three seasons. Still just 28, Laine is a proven NHL producer. If he can get healthy and stay healthy, the flashy Finn could be a steal. There isn’t a power play in the league that wouldn’t welcome his heavy bomb from the elbow … A big change is coming to the NHL’s CBA in September, as contracts will be capped at seven years. Could it spark a rash of new eight-year deals as teams ramp up for camp? The unrestricted free agent class of 2027 is poised to be seismic, with defensemen Cale Makar (Colorado), Quinn Hughes (Minnesota), and Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh), as well as forwards Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay), Mark Stone (Las Vegas), and Alex DeBrincat (Detroit) leading the list … Did you know the winner of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League is awarded the Bobby Orr Trophy? The greatest OHLer — and NHLer — of them all collected 280 points in 193 career games with the Oshawa Generals … Getting ready for those fall leagues? Well, it’s time to start getting the cardio up and running gets the heart pumping. Give the annual Malden Irish-American Labor Day Road Race (5K and 10K events) a try. A portion of proceeds will go to the Malden Warming Center. That’s what the kids call a win-win, peeps. More info here: runsignup.com/Race/MA/Malden/IrishAmerican510kRoadRace … Quiz answer: Connor McDavid was given Edmonton’s “C” at 19.

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