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BUFFALO - With Opening Night less than one month away, the Bruins are set to compete in the first game action of the 2021-22 season at the 2021 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York. The B's will play in two contests over the weekend against the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils as some of Boston's top prospects will don the Spoked-B for the first time in their career.

Players won't be the only ones experiencing new things this weekend as Ryan Mougenel, recently promoted to bench boss of the Providence Bruins, will make his debut as a head coach with the Bruins organization. Boston's coaching staff this weekend will consist solely of P-Bruins coaches with Trent Whitfield and Matt Thomas flanking Mougenel behind the bench.
Mougenel and the Bruins staff will get the opportunity to see a trio of 2021 draft picks in Fabian Lysell, Brett Harrison, and Ryan Mast make their debuts for Boston.

Mougenel discusses Rookie Camp with media from WIA

Lysell put on an impressive performance in April at the 2021 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship, scoring three goals and adding six assists for nine points in six games. Boston's 21st overall pick will get a look on the top line with 2018 third round pick Jakub Lauko on the opposite wing and Samuel Asselin at center. Asselin, who signed his first NHL contract this summer, is already looking forward to the opportunity.
"Lauks looks really, really good," said Asselin on Friday. "He's really strong for his height and his weight. He looks good this year. He skates well and looks good. I'm pretty pumped to play with him, it's going to be a good combination tomorrow.
"Lysell, you can see the skills and the hands that he has. It's pretty nice to see that at 18 years old. I don't remember myself doing what he does at 18."
Asselin's eight goals ranked second amongst Providence skaters last year, while his 16 points ranked third. One spot above Asselin was Lauko, who recorded 19 points with five goals and 14 assists in 23 games.
In total, 13 of the 22 rostered players for Boston played in the AHL with Providence last season, including Oskar Steen, who made his NHL debut for the Bruins last season. Steen recorded 11 points in Providence last season with five goals and six assists in 23 games. He will be joined by fellow Swede and a new face in the Bruins organization, Jesper Froden.
Froden, a talented winger from Stockholm, appeared in 52 games last season with the SHL's SkellefteƄ AIK. Froden led his team with 22 goals on the season, adding 18 assists and finishing third on the team with 40 points. He went on to represent his country at the 2021 IIHF Men's World Championship where he recorded four points (three goals, assist) in five contests.

Asselin talks with media during Rookie Camp

Kyle Keyser will get some time between the pipes this weekend after appearing in five games with Providence last season, recording a .913 save percentage paired with a 2.56 goals against average.
Boston will kick off the tournament with a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday at 3 p.m. before facing off with the New Jersey Devils on Sunday at 1 p.m. to conclude the tournament.
"There are certain qualities that, as an organization, the Bruins like our players to have," said Mougenel. "One is a willingness to compete and that's something you can see right away. This weekend will be a good opportunity for these guys to go out and compete."

Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Jakub Lauko - Samuel Asselin - Fabian Lysell
Eduards Tralmaks - Oskar Steen - Jesper Froden
Matt Filipe - Brett Harrison - Alex-Olivier Voyer
Marc Boudreau - Curtis Hall - Jacob Hudson
Ian McKinnon
DEFENSEMEN
Nick Wolff - Ryan Mast
Jack Ahcan - Brady Lyle
J.D. Greenway - Andrew Peski
Noah Dorey
GOALIES
Kyle Keyser
Jeremy Brodeur

Ahcan speaks with the media during Rookie Camp