Boston Bruins Draft class 2023: Grades & thoughts on draft selections
By Zachary McMahon
Boston Bruins spend their first three picks on centers
The Bruins started drafting with the no. 92 pick in the third round on center Christopher Pelosi. Pelosi is a 18-year old player who is 6’1 and has split time between NAHL and the USHL. He had 12 goals and 6 assists with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL last season.
Before moving to junior hockey, he played for the Rhode Island powerhouse Mount St. Charles. Pelosi is considered a raw talent whose physicality and netfront presence were his major strengths.
He was ranked 127 overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Skating and was projected as a fourth-round pick. So, I would consider this a reach in the draft.
Pelosi is committed to national-champions Quinnipiac but may still be in Sioux Falls before heading up to the collegiate ranks.
In the 4th round, The Bruins picked another center in Beckett Hendrickson with the 124th pick. Hendrickson is the son of former NHL player and Minnesota Wild assistant coach Darby Hendrickson. His uncle Dan Hendrickson was a standout for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Hendrickson played for the United States National Development team last season where he scored 34 points (13 goals and 21 assists).
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Hendrickson is undersized but still has an advanced passing ability the opens up lanes for his teammates. To move on to the next level, he will need to bulk up a bit. He could be successful as a bottom-six forward at the NHL level.
Hendrickson will join Pelosi at Sioux Falls for the 2023-24 season before following in the footsteps of his father and uncle and will play for Minnesota.
In the 6th round with the No. 188 pick is center Ryan Walsh who comes from Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. He set a team record for most points as he scored 79 points last season (30 goals, 49 assists). He ranked 2nd in USHL scoring only behind Chicago Steel forward Macklin Celebrini, who is projected to be the no. 1 pick in next year’s draft. Walsh will play for Cornell this fall.