There are certain traits that the Boston Bruins organization have always looked for in players throughout their history: work ethic, toughness, and grit (and some size doesn't hurt either). It looks like the Bruins were able to add a few more players to the organization that fit the above requirements over the weekend at this year's NHL Draft in Montreal.
Day 1 of the draft started with rumors about a trade between the B's and the Toronto Maple Leafs involving Phil Kessel and veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle, but by the time John Tavares was slipping on his new Islanders jersey, the trade was all but dead. All week long we heard about how the Bruins "had their eye one a player or two" and were looking move up in the first round. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was spotted talking to a few other GMs on the floor at the Bell Centre, but ultimately the Bruins hung onto their pick at #25. Late in the first round, Peter Chiarelli walked up to podium to a chorus of boos from the Montreal Canadiens fans. Chiarelli made a quick tongue in cheek joke about Montreal, before announcing that the Boston Bruins were selecting a Quebecer (Sorry Habs fans, you can't build your illegitimate dynasty on territorial rights anymore.) The Bruins picked right wing Jordan Caron from the Rimouski Oceanic. By most accounts Caron is a solid two-way forward with a great shot, who likes to play physical.
On Day 2, the Bruins had picks in the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th rounds.
In the third round, the Bruins picked Ryan Button, a puck-moving defenseman from the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. Button is a great skater and some are saying that Button was a steal this late in the draft.
In the fourth round, the B's selected Lane McDermid, an overage left wing from the Windsor Spitfires. The son of former Hartford Whaler Paul McDermid is a big, tough customer, who isn't afraid to drop the gloves, but also has some skills and can put the puck in the net here and there.
In the sixth round, the Bruins snagged Tyler Randell from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Randell is a bit of a grinder, who doesn't mind going to the net.
To round out the Boston Bruins draft class of 2009, the Bruins took Ben Sexton of the Nepean Raiders (CJHL) in the 7th round. The center is the son of Florida Panthers Acting General Manager Randy Sexton. He is committed to playing collge hockey at Clarkson in the fall of 2010.
Stanley Cup of Chowder Coverage of 2009 NHL Draft: