Fresh Links:VTeam Building Edition

<p><b>Reinvigorated, the Bruins returned to Boston to prepare for the Thursday home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning and their new captain, Martin St. Louis.  </b></p>

<ul>

<li> UVM alumnus and former Catamount captain Kevan Miller (Go, Cats, Go!) got top billing as the Bruins held open practice in Waterbury, VT. [<a href="http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20131001/SPORTS0102/310010044/">BurlingtonFreePress</a>]</li>

<li> David Krejci was the "unanimous" choice to share departed Andrew Ference's spot as second alternate captain with Chris Kelly. Carl Söderberg is still on the mend, leaving Jordan Caron likely on the third line on Thursday night. Horseback riding, orienteering, and skeet shooting were among the team building activites the Bruins enjoyed in Vermont. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/10/01/bruins-name-david-krejci-new-alternate-captain/F4rwqtraP7l3yW9glLIUQK/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li>The usually serene Zdeno Chara leads quietly, although he has been known to give a peek behind the mask. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/9756006/boston-bruins-captain-zdeno-chara-stays-focused-prize">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li>Stronger, deeper, faster? Less so than last year, the vaunted "core" is still intact, and the Bruins seem to have improved the power play, third line, and refreshed the D corps. [<a href="http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/bruins/content/20131001-with-core-intact-big-things-possible-for-bruins.ece">ProvidenceJournal</a>]</li>

<li> Daniel Paille is proud of his team and how they represented the City of Boston and pushed through into the Stanley Cup Finals. He is also hosting a charity dinner for the Jimmy Fund on Monday at Tresca Restaurant. [<a href="http://bigbadblog.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/2013/10/02/daniel-paille-on-dc-we-have-a-team-thats-hungry/">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> Bruins Academy- A quick video primer on shot blocking, with Andy Brickley and Adam McQuaid. [<a href="http://nesn.com/2013/10/bruins-academy-adam-mcquaid-teaches-art-of-shot-blocking/">NESN</a>]</li>

<li> Kirk Luedeke reviews preseason prospect rankings #20-11. [<a href="http://www.hockeyjournal.com/blog/kirks/Bruins_preseason_prospects_rankings-_20-11">NewEnglandHockeyJournal</a>]</li>

<li> Got plans? In business news JetBlue has now partnered with the Bruins and TDGarden, and will celebrate with a free kickoff event today at 1:30 at Faneuil Hall. [<a href="http://www.eturbonews.com/38436/jetblue-become-official-airline-boston-bruins?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Eturbonews-TravelAndTourismIndustryNews+(eTurboNews+-+for+the+global+travel+professional)">eTurboNews</a>]</li>

<li>Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has made good on his wager with Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. Hint: Put off your visit to the City of Boston website until tomorrow. Sigh. [<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-time-to-pay-up-in-boston-mayors-stanley-cup-wager-20131001,0,6357243.story">ChicagoTribune</a>]</li>

</ul>

<p><b> Elsewhere around the rink:</b></p>

<ul>

<li>UVM alumnus Martin St. Louis (Go, Cats, Go!) was named captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Congratulate him when you see him on Thursday evening. [<a href="http://www.rawcharge.com/2013/10/1/4792672/tampa-bay-lightning-name-team-captain-martin-st-louis">RawCharge</a>]</li>

<li> Here's a new source for your daily dose of FancyStats, so that you, too, can converse knowledgeably with TomServo42. [<a href="http://www.extraskater.com/">ExtraSkater</a>] For example, here's the stats recap of last night's Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens game. [<a href="http://www.extraskater.com/game/2013-10-01-maple-leafs-canadiens">ExtraSkater</a>]</li>

<li> Speaking of the Leafs/Habs game, well wishes to Violent Gentleman George Parros, concussed while fighting Colton Orr, who pulled him to the ice headfirst by the jersey, preventing Parros from extending his arms to save himself. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/10/1/4793134/george-parros-taken-off-on-stretcher-after-fight">SBNation</a>]</li>

<li> The Canadians are weighing in on the US Government shutdown. [<a href="https://twitter.com/JLupul/statuses/385039472519557120">@JLupul</a>]</li>

<li> Elliotte Friedman sees a trending number in contract negotiations (8) and offers his 30 thoughts. [<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2013/10/30-thoughts-kessel-others-set-market-for-nhls-elite.html">CBCSports</a>]</li>

<li> Everything you need to know for this NHL season, a comprehensive guide- Justin Bourne breaks it all down for you! [<a href="http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2013/10/01/welcome-to-day-one-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2013-14-nhl-season/#more-86327">BackhandShelf</a>]</li>

<li> The Hockey Canada Foundation and Hockey Quebec have stepped up to help fund the Association du hockey mineur de Lac-Mégantic. [<a href="http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/Hockey-Canada-Foundation-Hockey-Quebec-donate-65000-to-Association-du-hockey-mineur-de-Lac-Megantic">HockeyCanada</a>]</li>

</ul>