It’s no secret- TSP has long been high on goaltender Zane McIntyre going back to his draft year when we had intel from a Minnesota-based scouting source that had a lot time for him when he was winning that state’s top goaltending award with Thief River Falls High.

McIntyre, the artist formerly known as Zane Gothberg, legally changed his name a few years ago in honor of his late grandmother, Susan “Grandma Susie” McIntyre, who passed away in 2011. The retired University of North Dakota educator was a major influence in his life, and he’s come up aces for the most part since the Bruins chose him in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Susie McIntyre got to see her grandson begin his journey to the NHL in the Bruins organization and was no doubt with him in spirit when he made his big league debut this season.

The 24-year-old is on fire after returning to Providence, having posted a 5-0 record with a near-96 save percentage and miniscule 1.26 goals against average despite not having a great deal of offensive support. This is a major jump (admittedly in the early going of the season and with a small sample size) in performance from a year ago, when he was essentially thrown into the AHL season cold after Malcolm Subban suffered an injury that kept him on the shelf for the first full month of the 2015-16 campaign. He had a rough finish to the season, and there was talk among insiders about some holes in his technique needing to be addressed and that perhaps playing for an NCAA power in the University of North Dakota hid some flaws that might hinder his development.

One year later, McIntyre has some NHL games under his belt (though he’s still looking for his first big league win) while not looking out of place, but has become Kevin Dean’s most reliable option in the Providence net.

McIntyre is easy to root for- his easy going, Minnesota personality masks a fierce competitor who has the rare temperament to be both a backup and a workhorse starter as proven by serving in both roles with the Fargo Force of the USHL and at North Dakota. It bears reminding that McIntyre earned top goalie honors at every level since high school, so this is a player who has put in the work to get better at his craft.

Looking back to McIntyre’s very first development camp in 2010, you could plainly see that he had the instincts and want-to, but had some work to do on his fundamentals. Like another former Bruins goaltender who was knocked for style points in Tim Thomas, McIntyre is more of a battler who does not quit on any play and will look scrambly at times, even though he’s effective. Goalie coaches might not be enthused, but at the end of the day- there is no denying that McIntyre puts in the work and is a superb teammate and leader.

Oh, and the Minnesota HS goalie honor he won in 2010? It’s called the Frank Brimsek Trophy after the former Bruins great and Hall of Famer and Eveleth, Minn. native. McIntyre has long understood the connection between himself and one of Boston’s top players in franchise history, who with Gerry Cheevers is the only other multiple Stanley Cup-winning goaltender for the Bruins. He has Brimsek’s likeness on his mask and he has said all along that he wants to honor Mr. Zero’s legacy by being another homegrown Minnesota player to provide a positive impact in Boston.

He’s not there yet, but after a rollercoaster rookie pro year, McIntyre is showing the very signs that have made him one of the most popular and respected prospects within the organization for the past six years going on seven.

***

Several Bruins prospects are now away from their teams competing for a chance to play in the upcoming World Jr. Tournament: Zach Senyshyn and Jeremy Lauzon are with Team Canada, while Charlie McAvoy and Ryan Lindgren will be with Team USA. Jakub Zboril is a lock for Team Czech Republic and Dan Vladar should be as well. Oskar Steen unfortunately did not make the cut for Team Sweden, but watch for him next year.

Trent Frederic returned to action with the University of Wisconsin after missing several weeks with a hand injury, posting a goal and an assist in his first game back. It’s curious that he was not named to Team USA’s camp roster, but I suppose there are reasons for it. TSP is trying to find out what they are, but should anyone suffer an unexpected injury before the roster is finalized, he could get a shot. Like Steen, watch for Frederic to make the WJC tourney next year and we should all be encouraged by his solid start to an NCAA career as a point-per-game player with the Badgers.

Amateur Prospects as of 12/12/16

Pro and European Prospects

# Czarnik, Heinen recalled to Boston

Tyler Randell, Tommy Cross, Alex Grant > age 25- not listed