The Boston Bruins pulled off a bit of a surprise by allowing forward Matthew Poitras to join the Canadian team for the World Junior Championship (WJC).
The National Hockey League (NHL) club announced this on Monday, eight days before the start of the competition, which will take place in Sweden. General manager Don Sweeney said the 19-year-old would then return to the Bruins.
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“It is a huge achievement for any young hockey player to have the chance to represent their country on the biggest stages. There is no real downside to him representing us and being a leader of this team,” the CEO said at a press conference.
Poitras earned a spot on the Bruins' roster last training camp. Since then, he has recorded five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 27 games on the Bettman circuit.
“I've been thinking about it all summer. I expected to go to Guelph, have a good start and hopefully get the opportunity to play for my country. “It didn’t quite turn out that way, but I still have the opportunity to go,” said the main actor happily.
A bad thing for a good thing
This will be a first World Juniors experience for the man who was selected in the second round (54th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
About a month ago, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery indicated that Poitras would not return to juniors this year. The Ajax American's rights belong to the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
“He was put in high-pressure situations at the highest possible level. He should do well, Sweeney said. He should take his experiences in our locker room and share them with his new teammates. […] He’s been great so far.”
“You never really want to leave the NHL, but I’m excited to go there,” Poitras added. Playing for my country is something I'll never really complain about. It’s a dream come true.”
With that, Canada completed its training with another player playing in the Bettman circuit. Owen Beck (Montreal Canadiens), Fraser Minten (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matthew Savoie (Buffalo Sabres) and Tristan Luneau (Anaheim Ducks) will lead the team.