The Bruins made an intriguing pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, selecting a prospect they will closely monitor as he develops.
Boston picked Dean Letourneau at No. 25 in the NHL draft on Friday. At 18 years old, Letourneau is notable for his 6-foot-7 height. While he had impressive stats at St. Andrews and the prep school level, the level of competition there makes it hard for analysts to predict how the Braeside, O
ntario native will fare in higher leagues.
General Manager Don Sweeney was clearly impressed by Letourneau’s size, but the Bruins also hope to see other qualities develop when he starts at Boston College.
“What obviously stands out is his size and skill set,” Sweeney said to reporters in Las Vegas via a team-provided video. “It’s more about his position, but he moves well for his size. He has very good hands and an elite shot. People might question the quality of competition he’s faced so far, and it will be a big step up for him at Boston College next year. But with (Will) Smith leaving, there’s a great opportunity for Dean to grow and improve his game.”
Sweeney also mentioned that Letourneau will bring a “competitive edge,” though adjusting to the pace of college hockey will be challenging. Letourneau had the chance to play for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL but chose Boston College for its better development prospects, making it easier for the Bruins to keep track of his progress.
