Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins decided to go ‘need’ with their first pick of the 2022 NHL Draft on Friday, as the team selected center Matthew Poitras with the No. 54 overall pick.
A 5-foot-11, 174-pound skater, Poitras put up 21 goals and 50 points in 68 games with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League this past season. The Brooklin, Ont. native’s 50 points were the third-most among all Storm skaters, and were the seventh-most among all rookie OHL skaters.
Considered a skillful center with a ‘high motor’ and strong compete, Poitras was ranked as the No. 45 North American skater entering the draft, according to the NHL’s scouting report. He also likes to play a game similar to two of the top thorns in the B’s sides, with Poitras trying to model his game after Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli.
Matthew Poitras looks up to Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli.
— matt porter (@mattyports) July 8, 2022
"Gritty forward, likes to go in the corners. I kind of see myself as that skilled, gritty forward.”
Following the selection of Poitras, the Bruins sent the No. 91 overall pick to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a fourth-round pick (No. 117 overall) and fifth-round selection (No. 132 overall).
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.