Hitting The Wall

In Bruins news:

• Matt Beleskey spiced up his offseason training regimen by stair-climbing the Great Wall of China with the Bruins contingent. Bonus: GoPro footage of the toboggan ride back down! (Video, 1:59) NHL Bruins
• Patrice Bergeron and Simon Gagne are once again hosting their summer charity Pro-Am on August 4th. (Click on the permissions to see Google translation from French) Radio Canada
• The push is on to develop the next great Bruins defensemen from within the ranks of available prospects. For the first time in years, they have legitimate chances to earn a spot on the team. WEEI
• Don’t let the recent quiet convince you that the Bruins are not open to make late changes in the lineup. Colin Miller is the likeliest candidate to be the third right-shot defenseman. Hockeybuzz
• The Bruins have pointedly sought and signed undrafted free agents and have had better success with them than with high NHL draft pick players. Take a closer look at the foremost among them, Torey Krug, who signed with the Bruins even after numerous other teams belatedly took interest in him. Scouting Post
• A sign of the coming apocalypse? Brad Marchand has an unlikely new bosom buddy... NHL
• Anton Khudobin sent a postcard from his home, where he is apparently knee deep in wheat. Instagram, Anton_Khudobin31

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Several NHL teams seek new captains, including the Jets- Shall we put in a good word for Blake Wheeler? Sportsnet
• FORE! Canadian Olympic golfer Graham DeLaet has packed along former NHLer Ray Whitney to act as his caddy in Rio. (Video, 0:46) Sportsnet
• Here’s a quick debriefing from last week’s Toronto Hockey Coaches’ Conference. HIghlights included speaker Bob McKenzie and a panel on analytics. TSN
• Take a look back at the celebrities named as honorary NHL captains way back in 1991, and question along with Sean McIndoe the wisdom of the selections. (About Michael J. Fox and the Bruins... he and his family live in Vermont, just sayin’...) Sportsnet
• Former Bruin Reggie Leach has been recently honored as a recipient of the Order of Manitoba. Mantoulin Expositor
• New Englander Brian Leetch spent only one disappointing season in Black and Gold, but continues to be active with the Bruins Alumni. The Hockey Writers
• Pay it forward... former Bruin Wade Redden is shifting gears to mentor to young Predators, including one youngster whose father was instrumental in Redden’s career. The Globe And Mail
• For those who remember the Mighty Ducks movies, see what’s cookin’ with the actress who played goalie Julie "The Cat" Gaffney... Sports Illustrated