![\"Bruins](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/YPOAHJT6F2KRVJWGAPQJCZREMQ.JPG\")
Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei improved his plus-minus rating from minus-43 in 2024-25 to a plus-17 last season. Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<\/p>\nThough born in Baton Rouge \u2014 he\u2019s the first NHLer born in Louisiana \u2014 Lohrei grew up in Wisconsin, and his ties to sports teams are strong. The Bruins defenseman also adopted the Red Sox as his favorite American League team.<\/p>\n
A Brewers-Sox World Series would suit him just fine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve put themselves in a good spot,\u201d said Lohrei.<\/p>\n
The spot Lohrei finds himself in with training camp less than a month away is competing for a job in a crowded corps of blue liners.<\/p>\n
In addition to Lohrei, the Bruins have Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Will Borgen, Connor Clifton, Jonathan Aspirot, Henri Jokiharju, and Jordan Harris on the roster. Also in the mix is Frederic Brunet, a fifth-round pick in 2022 who spent the past three seasons in Providence, who is expected to get a long look in the preseason.<\/p>\n
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Lohrei is looking forward to the challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kind of like that competition aspect of it, especially going into camp, knowing you\u2019ve got to earn your spot,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we have a lot of really good NHL-caliber defensemen that are going to be competing for spots. And I think that\u2019s going to just help everybody raise their compete level. I know it\u2019s going to help me, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lohrei is coming off a solid regular season in which he collected seven goals and 26 points in 73 games. More importantly, he registered a plus-17 \u2014 a remarkable turnaround from his minus-43 after being thrust into a heavy minutes role, partly because of injuries to McAvoy and Lindholm, in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
After playing in the first three playoff games against the Sabres, Lohrei watched from the press box for the final three. That seat didn\u2019t sit well.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously you\u2019re pretty pissed off with that. I don\u2019t know, you go into the beginning of the summer and it\u2019s still fresh, so it sucks,\u201d said Lohrei.<\/p>\n
Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei improved his plus-minus rating from minus-43 in 2024-25 to a plus-17 last season. Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<\/p>\n
Once the sting wore off, Lohrei threw the benching on the back burner and looked ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cEventually in the summer, I try and just flush everything. I love to be on the ice in the summer. I love to be in the gym and just trying to better myself,\u201d said Lohrei, about to enter his fourth season. \u201cAnd it doesn\u2019t matter what happened the year before, whether it was the best year of your career or not great, or what happened the last three games. Just try and have fun doing what I love and just trying to improve myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the season ended, Bruins coach Marco Sturm delivered a message that Lohrei should not let the way the season ended overshadow the strides he had seen from the young defenseman. Lohrei took it to heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I just continue to get better. And obviously I\u2019ve really just been working on the things that we\u2019ve talked about with the coaching staff and with management. Stuff and things I\u2019ve been working on since, I mean, really since high school and juniors,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd you just keep getting better at obviously everything, but the stuff I talk about a lot. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo definitely some strides there, and look to continue it and just prove it every night. Obviously, I like to be in every night and play all situations. And so just try and continue to prove myself there and put myself in that position at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaining strength has been a particular point of emphasis.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work a lot in the gym, just getting stronger. It\u2019s been a big summer for that,\u201d Lohrei said.<\/p>\n
The grind of training camp into the season can make it tough to maintain a consistent playing weight. Lohrei said he\u2019s always struggled with putting on weight and then losing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started last year, like 218, 219 [pounds], and kind of by the middle end I was like 214, 213,\u201d he said. \u201cBut now I really feel a difference in my body, just like I\u2019m getting older. And I feel like I\u2019m holding on to my weight better and I\u2019m also able to put some more on. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo yeah, just like the consistency, like walking into the gym every day and kind of knowing even like the low numbers, I\u2019m happy with because obviously you fluctuate with hydration and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bruins training and medical staffs have been great resources for Lohrei since the club plucked him in the second round of the 2020 draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible. I mean, I spend a lot of time out here just because I like being around and working with all the resources we have,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve tried to use everybody here and just learn from them and let them help me because obviously they\u2019re professionals at what they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Can](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EXSGEYRFCEWO4SYLSLDWMRNJDA.jpg\")
Can Matt Poitras reverse his fortunes and make the Bruins out of training camp this season? John Tlumacki\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n
GAINING GROWL<\/p>\n
Poitras ready for latest camp crack<\/p>\n
Matt Poitras turned a ton of heads as he turned defensemen inside out<\/a> during Bruins training camp back in 2023. His consistent flashes had many observers wondering if the baby-faced center could keep pace with the brawny bodies he was going against at Warrior Arena.<\/p>\n A decision needed to be made: Keep Poitras or send him back to his junior team in Guelph, Ont. He showed enough to earn a 10-game looksee, and his performance during that audition earned him a roster spot<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe belongs,\u201d then-coach Jim Montgomery said when asked why Poitras would be calling Boston home.<\/p>\n The road then got rocky. A lingering shoulder injury and subsequent surgery cut short Poitras\u2019s rookie season after 33 games. He again showed enough in Camp 2024 to make the varsity, but his play tailed off and he was sent to Providence after 33 more games.<\/p>\n Poitras was among the final cuts at Camp 2025 and spent the majority of last season again in the AHL. He did, however, earn a three-game cameo right before the Olympic break, the highlight of which was pretty goal in the Stadium Series game against the Lightning<\/a> in February.<\/p>\n That short stint \u2014 and his play in Providence the last two seasons (109 games, 30 goals, 85 points) \u2014 should boost Poitras\u2019s confidence heading into camp next month.<\/p>\n A caveat: Poitras is currently a restricted free agent, though he likely will put pen to paper sooner than later.<\/p>\n The 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pounder always showed excellent hockey IQ and vision. Prior to his NHL career, he was able to slip big hits with slick moves and instincts. At the varsity level, however, he absorbed some.<\/p>\n What Poitras showed (in addition to his obvious hockey skills and relentlessness) during his stay with the big club last season was more muscle and more awareness. He cut down on his knack of holding the puck too long, rolled smooth passes to his teammates, and rolled off hits without taking the full brunt.<\/p>\n If Poitras can continue on that trajectory, he could once again be the surprise player of training camp and provide much needed scoring depth.<\/p>\n BIG ADDITION<\/p>\n Sturm can\u2019t hide his excitement<\/p>\n Sturm couldn\u2019t hide his enthusiasm for the Bruins\u2019 biggest offseason acquisition \u2014 the trade for sniper JJ Peterka<\/a>. The fellow German is projected to jolt the offense after three straight seasons of 25-plus goals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great. The funny part is I still didn\u2019t meet this kid yet. I talked to him a few times. He\u2019s very excited to be at Boston Bruin,\u201d Sturm told the Globe. \u201cHe knew he was going to get traded, and he really was telling me he was hoping for to be in Boston with the city like here tradition and also me as a coach. So, I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n Sturm said Peterka has long been on Boston\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the biggest reason for that trade was us, as an organization, they\u2019ve been having an eye on him for a long, long time, even before he got drafted,\u201d said Sturm. \u201cSo even last year, every year it seems like he was in a conversation. And this time it happened, and we really think and really hope that he will make a difference for us upfront.\u201d<\/p>\n ETC.<\/p>\n Hockey royalty honors Chara<\/p>\n The stars came out Friday in Slovakia for \u201cZee\u2019s Final Shift,\u201d an exhibition game featuring Zdeno Chara that was part reunion and part fundraiser.<\/p>\n The event, held at Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium in Chara\u2019s native Trencin, was played in part to provide financial support for several schools in Slovakia.<\/p>\n The game pitted Team Boston vs. Team Svet. And the rosters were a who\u2019s who of standouts \u2014 including some Hall of Famers \u2014 from around the hockey world.<\/p>\n Team Boston was comprised of a ton of Black and Gold dudes that won the 2011 Stanley Cup with Chara. It included forwards Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Mark Recchi, Milan Lucic, Jozef Stumpel, Michael Ryder, Chris Kelly, and Daniel Paille; defensemen Ray Bourque, Adam McQuaid, Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuk, and Andrew Ference; and goaltender Jaroslav Halak.<\/p>\n Tim Thomas and Chara\u2019s agent, Matt Keator, coached Team Boston.<\/p>\n In addition to Chara, Team Svet featured forwards Jaromir Jagr, Anze Kopitar, Marian Hossa, Miroslav Satan, Zigmund Palffy, Thomas Vanek, Jakub Voracek, Robert Reichel, and Michal Handzus; defensemen Tomas Kaberle, Andrej Sekera, Aaron Ward, and Radek Hamr; and goaltender Petr Cech \u2014 the former soccer keeper who took up hockey in retirement.<\/p>\n Marian Gaborik, Peter Bondra, and Jergus Baca were behind the Team Svet bench.<\/p>\n Sturm was scheduled to play, but had to cancel after a bout with the flu kept him grounded in Boston.<\/p>\n Another \u201cZeemate\u201d that didn\u2019t make the trip overseas was fellow former Bruins captain Brad Marchand, who posted an apology on social media<\/a> after the gritty winger underwent a recent surgery that will keep him sidelined for a stretch.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t be able to make Z\u2019s game,\u201d the Panther said. \u201cUnfortunately, I had to have a surgery. [I] was trying to fix a problem without surgery, but unfortunately that was unable to happen and had to kind of do it last minute. \u2026 With the time and recovery I am going to need, I won\u2019t be able to make it and play in the game, unfortunately.\u201d<\/p>\n Marchand\u2019s minutes were managed prior to the Olympics last season, and he was eventually shut down after it became apparent that Florida wouldn\u2019t make the playoffs. <\/p>\n Still, he collected 27 goals and 54 points in 52 games, good for fourth best on the injury-riddled Panthers.<\/p>\n Do you think you look like Bergeron?<\/p>\n You\u2019ll have a chance to prove it at the Bruins Fan Fest at Rocky Point State Park<\/a> in Warwick, R.I., on Sept. 12. Fans must be in attendance to be eligible, and the winner will receive two tickets to the former captain\u2019s No. 37 retirement ceremony Dec. 1<\/a> before the Bruins host the Avalanche.<\/p>\n The Fan Fest will stop at Worcester Common on Sept. 13. (Sorry, no look-a-like contest that day.) <\/p>\n The Fan Fest will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day and is free of charge. Fans are, however, encouraged to register at bostonbruins.com\/fanfest<\/a> to expedite admission.<\/p>\n Quiz time: Peter McNab lead the Bruins in goal scoring in the 1977-78 season with 41. Ten other members of Don Cherry\u2019s rugged squad reached the 20-goal mark that season. Name as many as you can. Get \u2019em all and you\u2019re a certified sniper in my book. A reminder, kids: No Googling! \u2026 The Canadiens announced goalie Carey Price will be added to the franchise\u2019s Ring of Honor a day after he is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Price spent his entire 15-year playing career in the bleu, blanc, et rouge, setting a franchise mark with 361 regular-season wins. He also helped Canada to gold medals at the 2007 World Juniors and 2014 Sochi Olympics \u2026 Price and Bergeron being enshrined together conjures memories of their Bruins-Canadiens battles, with Bergeron\u2019s miracle backhand goal<\/a> off a faceoff stunning Price in 2011 near the top of the list \u2026 Did you know that there\u2019s a Bobby Orr Public School that serves more than 200 kindergarten through eighth grade students in Oshawa, Ontario? (Me neither.) \u2026 Still no movement on Dylan Larkin\u2019s situation in Detroit after the Red Wings star asked for a trade in June. Longtime GM Steve Yzerman\u2019s ouster<\/a> was thought to spark a resolution, but the stalemate remains. Larkin\u2019s four-team trade list (reportedly the Wild, Panthers, Golden Knights, and Stars) is no doubt a major hurdle. The longer this drama plays out, the tougher it is for teams to move money around to accommodate Larkin\u2019s $8.7 million per season through 2030-31 \u2026 Tough timing for Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who underwent shoulder surgery last week after experiencing some discomfort during his offseason workouts. No return timetable was set for Merzlikins, who started 29 games for Columbus last season \u2026 Emma Hagens, sister of Bruin James, announced on Instagram<\/a> that she will play hockey for the University of Vermont \u2026 Sturm, McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman were among those who made appearances on the WEEI\/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon last week. The fundraiser eclipsed $7.1 million to help strike out cancer. Well done \u2026 Will Moore, who missed the on-ice sessions at Bruins development camp last month, is back on skates. Boston\u2019s second-round pick in 2025, who potted four goals and 10 points in 33 games for Boston College last season, skated with other Bruins and New Englanders at a recent workout at Warrior \u2026 Big props to Mark Divver, who was recently named winner of the James H. Ellery Memorial Award<\/a>, given in recognition to media coverage of the American Hockey League. Divver\u2019s knowledge of the AHL, the Providence Bruins, and all things hockey is encyclopedic. Ellery was a longtime AHL league secretary and publicity director \u2026 Quiz answer: Terry O\u2019Reilly (29), Bobby Schmautz (27), Stan Jonathan (27), Jean Ratelle (25), Rick Middleton (25), Wayne Cashman (24), Gregg Sheppard (23), Brad Park (22), Don Marcotte (20), and Bob Miller (20).<\/p>\n Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @globejimmcbride<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Winger](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787433494_313_Y2D7XW6DZB2ZX3YWKYALIXL3OE.jpg\")
Winger JJ Peterka, who has scored at least 25 goals three seasons in a row, is the Bruins’ biggest add during the offseason. Melissa Majchrzak\/Associated Press<\/p>\n![\"Bruins](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ZL54BESYNYI6DJ64HNRBUTHPCU.jpg\")
Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Canadiens goalie Carey Price had many an on-ice battle, and both will be enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame together on Nov. 9. REUTERS<\/p>\n