P-Bruins Notebook: JFK Adjusting to Pro Life

PROVIDENCE - Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson has had to make plenty of adjustments in his first full professional season, but perhaps the biggest has been getting used to some newfound downtime.
When he's not at the rink, the former Boston University standout no longer has to worry about heading to class or studying for his next exam.

"It's been great so far," the 21-year-old said Tuesday following practice at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. "Obviously being in college you have a little bit more going on outside of hockey with classes and stuff, so you have a little bit more spare time. That's a little bit of an adjustment - it's a little bit of a luxury problem."

On the ice, Forsbacka Karlsson seems to be acclimating just fine. The Swedish center has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 35 games and credits the P-Bruins' veteran core for helping him feel more comfortable at the AHL level.
"We have a good group of young guys, but the older guys, our captain Tommy Cross and everyone else, they're the ones who are kind of pulling the train and taking the young guys under their wings," said Forsback Karlsson. "All respect to those guys, they're doing a great job."
Forsbacka Karlsson also pointed to his brief stint with Boston last spring as an important piece of his development. After leaving BU following his sophomore season, JFK joined the Bruins for the season finale against Washington.
"It was great," said Forsbacka Karlsson, who played just over eight minutes in his NHL debut. "I thought I saw what it's all about, the big guys up there and seeing how they handle themselves every day. It was an awesome experience even though it was short."

Bjork's Break

Anders Bjork was not on the ice for practice and is expected to re-join the team on Friday as he enjoys a bye week. After playing 28 games for Boston this season, Bjork was assigned to Providence last week, but was still rewarded with some time off.
"He was up in the NHL the whole first half of this year, and he has earned the four-day break that they all have," said Leach. "He has been going pretty good from the beginning of the season on, so he definitely deserves that, and I think that's definitely something that will help him in the second half of the season."
The 21-year-old rookie wasted no time in showing off his abilities following his assignment, as he registered four points (two goals, two assists) in three games with the P-Bruins last weekend.
"Clearly a talent. He is not afraid, and he protects pucks well. He can separate from confrontation," said Leach. "He had one [goal] and one [assist] on Sunday - so we'll take that, and I'm sure he'll be better for it as we move ahead."

Beleskey 'All In'

Leach has been impressed with the professionalism and leadership Matt Beleskey has displayed since the veteran winger was placed on waivers and assigned to Providence in mid-December.
"Matt has been nothing but all in when coming here. I think he was excited to come and play," said Leach. "He is good with our kids; he is a really good guy. You can tell he has got some attributes along the walls, and the stuff that we really preach to our kids. He has obviously been able to tackle those in his time in the NHL, so he is a great example for us to kind of refer to with our kids.
"At the same token, he takes pride in his play, and he cares about the guys. He's been nothing but terrific for us, really. Great addition."
Beleskey, who has three goals in nine games with Providence, skated on the left wing alongside Colby Cave and Zach Senyshyn during Tuesday's practice.
"The last year, probably year and a half, has been tough with regards to his opportunity to play significant minutes," said Leach. "I think he saw this as an opportunity to get back into playing. He probably plays 13 to 16 minutes a night, which is good for him."

Lauzon Progressing

First-year pro Jeremy Lauzon has been sidelined since Nov. 22 with a concussion. The defenseman skated (in a red non-contact jersey) on Tuesday for the first time since the injury and is still a week or two from returning.
"It's going to take him some time to get acclimated. That was his first skate with our group," said Leach. "He skated a little bit on Saturday with five guys, but that is really the first time he has been out there with the group. I would imagine it's not going to be this weekend, for sure."

Scouting Reports

Leach also provided updates on Peter Cehlarik and Rob O'Gara, both of whom spent time with the varsity earlier this season. Cehlarik, who suffered a lower-body injury with Boston in late November, was assigned to Providence last week and returned over the weekend, potting two goals in two games.
"Peter works - like a lot of our guys - he works. He is a pro. He wasn't here at 8 this morning, and I was worried about him, because he is usually here right around 8. He was here at 8:05, so it was OK. The way he handles it all is he puts his head down and goes," said Leach.
"This weekend, he had two [goals]. Clearly, that ability to score goals is still there. I think, if you ask him, he probably would like to do some things a little bit better, but he hasn't played in five weeks, so it is expected."
O'Gara, who has played eight games with Boston this season, has two goals and four assists to go along with a plus-10 rating in 26 contests for the P-Bruins.
"I don't sense him getting anxious. I think he is, like any kid who has the taste [of the NHL], he wants to get back. I think he has got a hunger for it," said Leach. "I think there was a couple moments maybe early on when he was assigned that he was feeling as though he really needed to do a lot to get back.
"But the last four weeks, probably, he has been real solid, and in his game. He is just kind of fine-tuning his game and waiting for his opportunity."

Tuesday's Practice Lineup

Kenny Agostino - Austin Czarnik - Jordan Szwarz
Peter Cehlarik - Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson - Ryan Fitzgerald
Matt Beleskey - Colby Cave - Zach Senyshyn
Anton Blidh - Josh Hennessy - Justin Hickman
Colton Hargrove - Chris Porter - Adam Payerl
Jakub Zboril - Tommy Cross
Emil Johansson - Rob O'Gara
Chris Breen - Sena Acolatse
Jeremy Lauzon - Connor Clifton
Zane McIntyre
Jordan Binnington