Boston Bruins’ young players out to prove that they belong
Whenever you’re the new guy at work, it’s sometimes a bit hard to fit in with everyone else. There are new people to meet, a new management team, and a possible new role for you to play
within the organization.
Such is the case with Boston Bruins’ talented core of young players. They have had to adapt quickly to new people and situations, but they’ve managed to use it to their advantage. As a
result, they are collectively on a mission to prove that they belong with this team, and they are all hoping to succeed.
One youngster who has already made somewhat of an impact is right-winger Jordan Caron. After making the team following the Bruins’ string of pre-season games, Caron was poised to add some
offensive talent to a team that is already packed with talented players.
During Boston’s game against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, 16 October, Caron scored his first career National Hockey League goal on fellow Quebec native Martin Brodeur. Caron’s goal
would tie the game at a goal apiece, but the tie was short-lived. The Bruins would score three more unanswered goals en route to a 4-1 victory.
Needless to say, Caron was pleased with his efforts, to the point where he had some trouble sleeping afterwards.
"It was great. I couldn't sleep much that night..It was a great feeling, and I haven’t slept much the last couple of days. Now I need to focus on Washington now. I need to keep playing
hard and I want to score more than one."
The fact that Caron scored his first-ever NHL goal against Brodeur, one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game, holds special significance for him.
"It was a dream come true," said the native of Sayabec, Quebec. "He’s a great goalie, maybe one of the best ever. He’s from Montreal and we’re both French. I remember watching him win
the Stanley Cup a few years ago; I was 12 or 13 years old, and now to score my first goal against him is a great feeling."
Caron has a fan in team-mate Mark Recchi, the NHL’s elder statesman at age 42. Recchi was happy to see the rookie get his first goal, and felt that he deserved it.
"It’s great for him," said Recchi. "He’s a great kid, and he’s worked hard. It’s nice to see him get that first one. It was a pretty special guy to get it against, too."
Another rookie who has made an instant impact for the Bruins is centre Tyler Seguin, who was the second overall draft pick at the NHL Entry Draft in June. Like Caron, Seguin also made
the team straight out of the pre-season, and he too has seen his name etched on a game’s score-sheet.
During Boston’s season opener against the Phonenix Coyotes in Prague, Czech Republic, Seguin scored his first career goal. The Bruins won that game as well, shutting the Coyotes out by
a score of 3-0.
"It’s definitely nice to get that first one out of the way," Seguin said of his first goal. "Obviously, I wanted to get the first game, first goal and first assist out of the way, so now
I can focus on the little things and try to make the team better."
Injuries to key players like centre Marc Savard and left-winger Marco Sturm have allowed the younger players to step up and prove that they deserve to be on the Bruins’ roster. And by
the looks of things, the kids have been trying to make the most of their opportunities.
"Sometimes you need some fresh kids in here," Seguin said. “There are a lot of experienced vets in here, and it's nice to have a mix. I think everyone treats each other pretty well."
"As rookies, we’re pretty honoured to be with the guys in this dressing room. It’s been a great experience."
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