Matthew Poitras, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, found himself in a unique position on Monday at Boston’s Warrior Ice Arena. Despite being one of the youngest players at the Bruins’ development camp, Poitras assumed a leadership role, having already established himself as a promising player at the NHL level.
After undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in February, Poitras spent much of the spring focused on recovery. However, he arrived at camp determined not just to participate, but to set a standard for his teammates.
“I’m just trying to come in and still do my thing,” Poitras emphasized. “I’m a bit older. It’s my third camp now. So try and lead and just make sure our standard is being held up. Just try and be there for everybody.”
Looking ahead, Poitras sees this summer as crucial preparation for the upcoming 2024-25 season with the Bruins. Despite his recent surgery, he displayed full capability during Monday’s skate, showing no signs of limitation.
“I feel good, no pain or anything. … Obviously, you don’t want to rush things,” Poitras remarked about his shoulder. “It’s still the start of July and we’ve got two more months until camp starts, so no need to rush anything.”
Poitras’ journey accelerated unexpectedly last October when his playmaking abilities and vision kept him in Boston beyond preseason, bypassing a return to junior hockey. In his first 27 NHL games, he amassed 13 points, often playing over 14 minutes per game. However, the rigors of the NHL season took their toll, and a shoulder injury in December halted his progress, limiting him to just eight more games before ending his season early.
Reflecting on his rookie year, Poitras identified areas for improvement, particularly his physical strength. He acknowledged the need to add size and muscle to better compete against larger opponents and reduce the risk of injury from unnecessary hits.
“I came into camp last year definitely undersized,” Poitras admitted. “So I think this year is just going in a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, kind of choose my spots a bit more — because sometimes I’d take some big hits that aren’t necessary and kind of hurt me and maybe that’s why I didn’t get a chance to finish the season.”
Despite setbacks, Poitras managed to gain eight or nine pounds since his injury, aiming to enhance his ability to win battles along the boards and maintain possession in critical moments.
“I want to be able to win those one-on-one battles because I’m a guy who likes to have the puck up in the zone,” Poitras explained. “So that’s kind of where it stems from.”
As he prepares for the upcoming season, Poitras remains focused on refining his skills, especially in the faceoff circle where he seeks improvement from last season’s 43.7 percent success rate. While he stands out as one of Boston’s most promising forward prospects, he understands that securing a regular spot in the lineup is not guaranteed, recognizing the competition he faces.
“A featured role with the Bruins this winter is far from a guarantee — with an assignment to Providence an option if he doesn’t leapfrog other pivots during preseason action,” the article noted.
Nevertheless, Poitras embraces the challenge ahead, eager to return to competitive play after an extended offseason due to injury.
“I’ve been in the offseason for basically almost five months now,” Poitras shared. “I’m excited to get through the summer — still gonna take it day by day — but I’m excited to get to camp and get into playing games.”
In conclusion, Matthew Poitras approaches this summer’s development camp with a dual focus on recovery and improvement, determined to solidify his place within the Bruins organization as he prepares for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the upcoming season.
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