Shattenkirk Thrilled to Be Back in Town

BOSTON - Kevin Shattenkirk knows all about this town.

The veteran blue liner spent three seasons at Boston University and for years has made trips back to the city to spend time with some of the people he developed relationships with while on Comm. Ave.

Shattenkirk, in fact, even thought he might get drafted by the Black Gold back in 2007 when he was selected 14th overall by the Colorado Avalanche.

"It seems like there's been opportunities and discussions along the way, even back to when I was drafted," Shattenkirk said of being a Bruin. "I think [Boston] had a huge effect. It had a huge effect on me as a young player and then making this decision now."

That decision was opting to come back to the city in which he launched his hockey career.

Some 16 years after first venturing to Boston, Shattenkirk is finally getting his chance to pull on the Spoked-B, having signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Bruins over the weekend.

"As a player, you want to play for a team, play for an organization, that has tradition, that has passionate fans, and you feel that every time you come into the Garden as an opponent," Shattenkirk said during a virtual media availability with reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

"I think that, for me, is what I thrive off of. Really look forward to seeing a packed building every night and fans that are gonna wear everything on their sleeves and force you to be your best self on the ice."

The 34-year-old acknowledged that playing in that kind of environment again will be a positive adjustment after spending the last three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, who have been in more of a rebuilding mode. That chance to be part of a winning culture is what helped drive his decision to come to Boston.

"[Bruins general manager] Don Sweeney called us and kind of laid out his thoughts on me and how I would fit with the team…it was pretty organic. The opportunity and the fit was what really appealed to me. Getting back to a team that's a Stanley Cup contender was exciting. I've kind of lost that over the last three years being in more of a rebuilding situation," said Shattenkirk, who helped lead BU to a national championship in 2009 and the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2020.

"Getting excited about that again is great and something that I think every hockey player will tell you is the most important thing. That is really what enticed me and ultimately led me to this decision."

Shattenkirk grew up in New Rochelle, New York, which is about 20 miles north of Madison Square Garden. As such, he has always had an appreciation for Original Six hockey, especially after having suited up for the Blue Shirts for two seasons from 2017-19.

"When I was in college, obviously the Bruins were contending every year for the Stanley Cup. I believe they won it my first year out of college," said Shattenkirk, who was a rookie with Colorado and St. Louis in 2010-11. "I came back and did an extra summer semester at BU so I was there when the parade was going on. It's an Original Six team. Playing in New York, I know what kind of weight that carries and the global reach that teams like that have. Boston is certainly in that same pedigree.

"I had a lot of battles with my teammates in college, a lot of local Massachusetts kids who are huge B's fan. Me being from New York, we were constantly watching Rangers-Boston games."

In addition to their Boston University backgrounds, Shattenkirk has those New York roots in common with Long Island native Charlie McAvoy, who grew up a Rangers fan idolizing Hall of Fame blue liner Brian Leetch. And now, Shattenkirk - a 13-year NHL veteran - is eager to help McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm any way he can as he carves out a leadership role in the Bruins' dressing room.

"I talked to [Bruins coach] Jim Montgomery about this. Between Hampus and Charlie, there's two Norris caliber defensemen there. And they're still growing into their expectations as players," said Shattenkirk, who has received Norris votes three times in his career (2011-12, 2014-15, and 2016-17).

"I think being able to be a sounding board for them, especially in that kind of role, a power play role, is something we discussed and something that's kind of expected of me. I've done it before, and it will be very similar to my role in Tampa when I went there for a year."

In addition, Shattenkirk has already talked with Bruins alternate captain Brad Marchand about adding his voice to the mix, especially if Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci opt not to return.

"I've always had tremendous respect for him…he's someone who obviously cares about winning and he's been successful his entire career. I'm looking forward to finally playing with him because he's a special player," said Shattenkirk.

"Anything that I can do to help out from a leadership perspective and help him, someone who knows the locker room really well. He was one of the first calls that I got after I signed and was the first one to extend his hand and offer any sort of help that he and his wife could for our family.

"I know how much he means to this organization and I'm really looking forward to being on the same team as I'm finally."

On the ice, Shattenkirk is likely to take the place of Connor Clifton - who departed for a three-year contract with Buffalo on Saturday - on the right side of Boston's third pairing with Derek Forbort or Jakub Zboril.

"I look at the D corps and some of the great players we have back here and I know that I'm probably a third pair guy," he said. "Certainly, if there's any need for me to jump up and fill in via injury or whatever it may be, I'm capable of doing [that]. Playing minutes there 5-on-5 and slotting in on the second power play and being able to run that and hopefully add a little bit of depth there with the team."

Looking for Mor-gan

Morgan Geekie is ready to do whatever it takes.

The 24-year-old played 69 games for the Seattle Kraken last season but averaged just 10:27 of ice time, the lowest of any player on the club's roster that suited up for more than 15 contests.

Now, after signing a two-year deal with a $2 million annual cap hit with the Bruins on Saturday, Geekie hopes his time on ice numbers will look a bit more enhanced in 2023-24.

"Coming in, I'd love to do whatever helps the team," Geekie said on a virtual call with reporters on Wednesday afternoon. "I think I can contribute with a little more minutes than I had previously…however I get those minutes, I'm not picky. I'm just looking to come back and help the team. Obviously, the staff and the organization will make those calls. I'm just gonna come in and work hard and do what I can."

Even with limited minutes, Geekie put forth the most productive season of his four-year NHL career, setting high marks in goals (9), assists (19), and points (28). The Manitoba native added four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 postseason games.

"A lot, honestly," Geekie, who can play both center and wing, said of how much he elevated his game last season. "I knew we had a good team over in Seattle. A very unorthodox fourth linem per se. For me, I grew a lot as a player. A little bit in different situations throughout the year. But I had a good playoffs and anytime you can add some playoff experience, it helps.

"It was good. I gained a lot of confidence and I'm excited where my game is and I'm excited where it can get to and how it can grow. I'm looking forward to next season."

Geekie, who once played with Brandon Carlo for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, said that his main focus ahead of next season - as it has been for some time - will be improving his skating game.

"The big thing for me has always been my skating," said Geekie. "I've learned to play a fast game even though I may not be a fast skater. I think I think the game really well. For me, with a little bit more of an expanded role and a few more minutes, I think I can get into more of a rhythm and kind of grow myself and just be the player that I know I can be and help the team in the best way that I can."

Wait, There's More

• The NHLPA announced on Wednesday afternoon that three Bruins filed for salary arbitration: Jeremy Swayman, Trent Frederic, and newly acquired defenseman Ian Mitchell. Hearings will be held from July 20-August 4.
• Boston did ink two of its restricted free agents to new deals earlier in the day, signing Jakub Lauko (two years) and Kyle Keyser (one year). Forward Marc McLaughlin, blue liners Alec Regula and Reilly Walsh - both acquired in trades before last week's NHL Draft - and goalie Michael DiPietro are Boston's remaining RFAs.
• On Tuesday, the Toronto Marlies announced that Bruins assistant John Gruden would be taking over as their head coach. Gruden, who played three seasons for Boston from 1993-96, spent one year behind the B's bench as Jim Montgomery's defense and power play coach in 2022-23.
• David Pastrnak, who was on the ice for a skate at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday morning before Development Camp, was last week named the recipient of Czechia's "Golden Stick" award as the country's top player. It was the sixth time he has captured the honor and trails only Jaromir Jagr (12) for most wins in the history of the award.
• Shattenkirk on the uncertain futures of Bergeron and Krejci: "I know what those two mean to this team. I've played against them for a long time and those are big holes to fill…at every point in a team's progression, guys have to step up and play roles and take over and if push comes to shove. And if that's where we end up, it's gonna be on the shoulders of some of the other players on the team to take over that role. Certainly, we're a better team if those two come back…I can tell you just as an opponent just how frightening it is to play against those guys and see them in the lineup."