With the final weekend in October now in the books, the Providence B’s are getting a boost from Seth Griffith, who tallied a trio of assists in his first AHL game of the year Friday before adding a goal on Sunday in a loss to Lehigh Valley. A lower body injury (suffered on a questionable hit from Devils forward Tuomo Ruuttu) derailed his hopes of making the big club out of camp, but if he continues producing on the farm, he could be brought back up. However, with the Boston offense clicking right now, that’s a long shot unless someone else gets knocked out of the lineup.
Frank Vatrano scored another goal to keep pace at more than a goal per game, but Austin Czarnik remained out since taking a big hit in the open ice more than a week ago- he’s missed the last three Providence games.
In the major junior ranks, second-round defenseman Jeremy Lauzon continues to produce. Even more impressive than the points, has been his ability to log 30 minutes of ice time a night while playing a mobile, smart defense. He looks like an all-around player at this point who was terrific value where the Bruins got him as the third of three Calgary picks acquired for Dougie Hamilton on draft weekend. It was also a good week for the WHL forwards Jake DeBrusk and Jesse Gabrielle.
AHL
Frank Vatrano, LW Providence Bruins
GP- 7 Goals- 8 Assists- 2 Points- 10 Penalty Min- 4 +/- -1
Alex Khokhlachev, C Providence Bruins
GP- 7 Goals- 2 Assists- 9 Points- 11 Penalty Min- 0 +/- 2
Four assists over the week put him on top of the Providence Bruins scoring list, as Koko continues to make his case for NHL time in the best possible way: with production.
Seth Griffith, RW Providence Bruins
GP- 2 Goals- 1 Assists- 3 Points- 4 Penalty Min- 0 +/- 0
Colby Cave, C Providence Bruins
GP- 7 Goals- 4 Assists- 0 Points- 4 Penalty Min- 2 +/- -3
Former Swift Current captain tallied a pair of goals in Providence’s Friday night victory.
Zane McIntyre, G Providence Bruins
GP- 6 MIN- 362 GA- 20 GAA- 3.31 Spct- .882 W- 2 L- 2 OTL- 2
With the exception of one game, McIntyre has started every other contest for Providence with mixed results.
OHL
Zach Senyshyn, RW Saulte Ste Marie Greyhounds
GP- 12 Goals- 6 Assists- 3 Points- 9 Penalty Min- 0 +/- -6
No points for Senyshyn, who has cooled off after a hot start with six goals in his first 7 OHL games.
QMJHL
Jeremy Lauzon, D Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
GP- 12 Goals- 3 Assists- 17 Points- 20 Penalty Min- 22 +/- +13
With five assists in three games last week, the Val-d’Or native just keeps on rolling. His point totals are something a forward would be proud of. He’s a rugged, capable defender as well- which makes his early scoring all the more compelling. This blog said back in July that Lauzon might be the best of the three defenders taken in 2015, with the first two (Jakub Zboril, Brandon Carlo) grabbing more of the attention and spotlight. Both of them have already signed ELCs with the B’s, but the team would be wise to lock up Lauzon as well.
Jakub Zboril, D Saint John Sea Dogs
GP- 8 Goals- 0 Assists- 3 Points- 3 Penalty Min- 8 +/- 0
WHL
Jake DeBrusk, LW Swift Current Broncos
GP- 11 Goals- 5 Assists- 11 Points- 16 Penalty Min- 13 +/- -3
The goals have not been as plentiful in the early going for DeBrusk, but he’s setting them up from the left wing side to good effect. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t wow you with his skill when he’s out there, but then he’ll make an impressive pass or shot and you’re reminded that he was the 14th overall pick in last June’s draft.
Jesse Gabrielle, LW Prince George Cougars
OHL
Zach Senyshyn, RW Saulte Ste Marie Greyhounds
GP- 10 Goals- 6 Assists- 3 Points- 9 Penalty Min- 0 +/- -5
Senyshyn only had an assist in a couple of games this week after tallying six goals in his first eight contests. Part of that has to do with the offensive struggles of teammate Blake Speers.
WHL
Jake DeBrusk, LW Swift Current Broncos
GP- 8 Goals- 4 Assists- 7 Points- 11 Penalty Min- 9 +/- -4
After scoring goals in each of his first two WHL games after being returned from Boston, DeBrusk did not find the back of the net in three contests this week. He did put up a couple of assists, and while his point totals aren’t anything to write home about, the focal point of Swift Current’s offense will pick up the scoring pace.
Jesse Gabrielle, LW Prince George Cougars
GP- 11 Goals- 9 Assists- 2 Points- 11 Penalty Min- 23 +/- 4
Gabrielle went on a tear since the last update, firing home five goals and throwing in a fight for good measure. He’s getting on the radar as someone who has a higher-level talent base than where he was drafted in the mid-fourth round and will have to guard against undisciplined play.
Brandon Carlo, D Tri-City Americans
GP- 11 Goals- 1 Assists- 7 Points- 8 Penalty Min- 32 +/- -3
NCAA
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, C Boston University Terriers (HEA)
GP- 3 Goals- 1 Assists- 2 Points- 3 Penalty Min- 2 +/- 1
The impressive freshman notched his first multi-point game of his collegiate career with a goal and helper over the weekend.
Ryan Fitzgerald, F Boston College Eagles (HEA)
GP- 5 Goals- 3 Assists- 2 Points- 5 Penalty Min- 8 +/- 5
The 2013 fourth-rounder is off to another solid start with the Eagles in his junior season. He doesn’t possess ideal size, but he’s instinctive and adept in all three zones.
Danton Heinen, LW Denver University Pioneers (NCHC)
GP- 4 Goals- 1 Assists- 1 Points- 2 Penalty Min- 10 +/- -1
Cameron Hughes, C University of Wisconsin (Big Ten)
GP- 6 Goals- 0 Assists- 2 Points- 2 Penalty Min- 2 +/- -4
Anders Bjork, LW University of Notre Dame (HEA)
GP- 4 Goals- 0 Assists- 4 Points- 4 Penalty Min- 0 +/- 2