It’s hard to believe, but another Prospects Challenge has wrapped up. The Boston Bruins’ prospects spent the weekend in Western New York for the annual event in Buffalo. While the game results don’t count, the performance of the players does.
Several young Bruins showed promise as they geared up for training camp, which starts Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena. The Bruins prospects faced losses against the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-3) and Columbus Blue Jackets (4-3 in OT) before securing a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday morning. Now that the weekend is over, let’s review the standout prospects.
Brett Harrison
Drafted in the third round of the 2021 Entry Draft, Brett Harrison was seen as a potential steal for GM Don Sweeney, as he was projected to go earlier. With his offensive potential evident from his 34 goals in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals and Windsor Spitfires during the 2022-23 season, he demonstrated his skills in Buffalo.
Harrison scored a goal and added an assist against Pittsburgh, netted another goal against Columbus, and scored once more against New Jersey. Known for his high energy and effective finishing around the net, he’s expected to spend another season in Providence and is definitely a player to keep an eye on.
Jackson Edward
Defenseman Jackson Edward is likely to win over Bruins fans with his physical style of play. Much like newly signed Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov, Edward enjoys challenging opponents physically. He played in the first two games before sitting out the final one against New Jersey.
During his time with the London Knights in the OHL, Edward never shied away from physical play and is projected to be a bottom-pair defenseman in the NHL. His performance in Buffalo has shown plenty of promise for his future.
Riley Duran
Riley Duran, like Edward, missed the final game against the Devils, but he made a strong impression in his first two games against the Penguins and Blue Jackets while playing on the top line with Harrison and John Farinacci. After a notable career with Providence College in Hockey East, he stood out with his well-rounded game.
Duran plays with high energy, driving to the net fearlessly to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His speed and effective play in all three zones were evident, and he showcased his burst in the offensive zone. Projected as a bottom-six forward in the NHL, he fits the Bruins’ style well.
Overall, despite the results, it was a positive weekend for many Bruins prospects in Buffalo, setting the stage for training camp this week. Some of these players could make their way to the NHL for the 2024-25 season.
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