Providence won the following game against Cornell, 4-0, to advance to its first Frozen Four since beating Jack Eichel's Boston University team in the 2015 National Championship. The closest Bryson had come was last season, when the Friars were one win away but lost, 2-1, in the Regional Final against Notre Dame.
That memory was fresh on the defenseman's mind throughout his junior campaign, particularly in the postseason. Providence's NCAA Tournament run nearly ended before it began due to an opening-round loss to Boston College in the Hockey East Tournament. The Friars practiced for two weeks with their future in doubt before getting the help they needed to secure an at-large bid.
The regional game against Minnesota State - which was played in Providence - signaled the beginning of a second life.
"We lost to Boston College," Bryson said. "We didn't know if our season was going to be over or not. I think a lot of people felt, 'We cannot be done.' Last year, we felt that against Notre Dame. We told the team, 'Listen, we don't want this feeling. We know what it was like last year.'"
Providence's bid for a national championship continues with its Frozen Four matchup with Minnesota-Duluth at KeyBank Center on Thursday. If the Friars are successful, expect Bryson to play a major role.
Since being selected by the Sabres in the fourth round in 2017, Leaman says that Bryson has learned to use his feet to defend and compensate for his lack of size. (He's listed at 5-feet-9-inches tall.) He's become a player that the Friars rely on in all situations.
Now, on the biggest stage in college hockey, Leaman wants to see Bryson take it up a notch.
"Any game he goes into, he has the potential to be the best player on the ice," Leaman said. "I think Jacob is a wonderful player. He's got it both offensively and defensively. He doesn't force the game. He doesn't try to do something that's not there. But, when we get to this stage, I want him to assert himself on the game."
Bryson is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who's credited with having a high hockey IQ. He's tallied 27 points (4+23) in 41 games and was named to Hockey East's Second All-Star Team. His partner describes him as being a sort of five-tool player for the Friars.
"He's quick, he's smart, he's got a great shot," Young said. "I mean, he runs everything. He's probably one of the best players I've ever played with. He very rarely makes mistakes, which I think is the best thing about him. You can rely on him in every situation. And he plays like he's over six foot, even though he's a little guy."