When the Boston Bruins decided to choose Dean Letourneau with the 25th choice in the 2024 NHL Draft, they were aware of the risks.
A project like as Letourneau was a risk worth taking for a Boston franchise that lacked middle-field ability.
With his silky hands and towering 6-foot-7 stature, Letourneau had the makings of a matchup nightmare in the professional game if he become a serious NHL player. In 56 games versus prep opposition at St. Andrew’s College, Letourneau scored 61 goals and accumulated 127 points, which was very encouraging.
However, Boston anticipated Letourneau to make some mistakes as a freshman at Boston College because of the fascinating pivot’s significant leap from prep to the Hockey East gauntlet in 2024–25.
The 18-year-old forward’s maiden attempt at Chestnut Hill turned out to be much more than a few minor missteps.
Letourneau’s first season with BC was marked by “significant growing pains,” according to Don Sweeney. He made a significant leap from his hockey skill level the previous year to the rigors of college.
Letourneau was initially anticipated to take a more modest step in 2024–25 by spending a season in the USHL prior to enrolling in college. However, Letourneau decided to move up his schedule and join the Eagles a year before he was supposed to after Eagles star Will Smith departed BC to join the Sharks later in the summer.
This previous winter, it caused a great deal of annoyance for a number of parties.
Regarding Letourneau, Sweeney stated, “I believe we would have all agreed that perhaps a full year of the USHL would have been the best path.” He was physically capable of playing collegiately, and once more, that possibility offered a rather distinctive style.
I believe that everyone had the idea that, well, he was physically prepared to execute it. Now, whether or not you can succeed from a production standpoint and transfer that over to the highest level, which is what BC expects, is going to be a leap.
Letourneau finished the 2024–25 season with just three assists and did not score a goal, despite playing in 36 games for the Eagles in a bottom-six position.
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In Letourneau, Boston anticipated a long-term project. All parties concerned, including the athlete whose history of filling the stat sheet abruptly ended in the collegiate ranks, were clearly frustrated.
Letourneau stated during Boston’s Development Camp, “Obviously, the numbers weren’t where I wanted them to be.” He also added, “It definitely weighed on me a little bit that the chances weren’t going in.” In the Beanpot, I had a few chances and struck a few posts and cross bars. You typically become a little irritated when those don’t happen.
Letourneau went on to say that he had to have surgery around the holidays to treat a fractured hand that had been bothering him for the first part of his rookie season.
Even if Letourneau’s health improved in the last moments, it didn’t translate into any noticeable improvements on the scoreboard.
However, Andre Gasseau, a forward for BC and another Bruins prospect, didn’t let Letourneau’s disappointments deter him from improving as his discontent grew.
In reference to Letourneau, Gasseau, a 2021 seventh-round pick, stated, “He just kept his head down and worked hard.” He is a person who is open to trying new things. And if we have time before practice, we spend a lot of time on the ice when the facility is open for free ice.
I am aware that he came to this camp after spending a few weeks here. He is therefore truly dedicated. And he will recover, just like James Hagens. Although his statistics aren’t very impressive, he will undoubtedly make a significant contribution.
Adam McQuaid, the Bruins’ player development coordinator, reiterated the same point on Letourneau’s handling of a season with few bright spots.
According to McQuaid, he really handled it rather nicely. On days when he felt that he could and wanted to make a bigger difference, for example, he was disappointed. He said at the conclusion of the year that he was returning to British Columbia. I will be vying for a slot. You will not receive anything.
It speaks volumes about him that he is aware of that. Thus, [I] discovered a great deal about his personality. Adversity at a young age is something that many of these guys have never experienced. There will therefore always be detractors and hardships for him to deal with now. And it’s probably a little more intense for him here in Boston. He’s done a great job with it.
Considering that Hagens and Bruins 2025 draft pick William Moore are anticipated to occupy the first two center positions on the depth chart, Letourneau will probably be assigned to the same bottom-six position for the Eagles in 2025–2026.
Instead of trying to expand his skill set based on where Eagles coach Greg Brown puts him in the lineup, Letourneau wants to go back to his strengths as an offensive player after learning to play more of a hard-nosed, checking position this past season.
Before aiming for the professional game, Letourneau might require a lot of experience in the undergraduate ranks. However, the former first-round selection is still confident that he has the ability to move past the 2024–25 campaign.
I simply took a break. It was somewhat a reflection of the season. Letourneau stated, “I’m trying to regain my confidence and be more focused on my skill.” And as the summer has [gone] on, I feel like I kind of have.
Since 2023, Conor Ryan has worked as a staff writer for Boston.com, covering the Boston Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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