The Boston Bruins‘ David Pastrnak played his hundredth game on Monday night, netting his fourth goal of the season against the Winnipeg Jets. Since his debut with the Bruins in 2014, the 20-year-old Czech forward has proven to be an asset to the team that drafted him, and will likely remain a strong player for the franchise.
David Pastrnak Shines In First Hundred Games
Pastrnak led the Czech U18 League in both goals and points in the 2011-12 season. The loss of his father, Milan, to cancer in 2013 inspired him to train harder and follow his dreams to play in the NHL. As a prospect, he was know for his speed and goal scoring ability.
Under then general manager Peter Chiarelli, the Boston Bruins selected Pastrnak 25th overall in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry level deal with Boston in July of 2014, and was assigned to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League at the beginning of the season.
Pastrnak made his NHL debut in November 2014 in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After another stint in Providence, he returned to the team to score his first two NHL goals in one game against Ray Emery of the Philadelphia Flyers. He ended the season as one of only two players from the 2014 draft (along with the Florida Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad) to play more than 40 games that season. The ability to play alongside his Czech hockey idol David Krejci excited Pastrnak, and may have contributed to his success early on. Krejci, in addition to housing the young player in his sophomore season, acted as a role model and helped his linemate adjust to life in Boston.
An injury early in the 2015-16 season sidelined Pastrnak from November to January. After a short rehabilitation stint in Providence, he returned and would finish the year with 15 goals and 26 points in 51 games. Pastrnak was fifth (tied) on the team in goals and tenth in points, despite missing so much time.
What’s In Store This Season
So far this season, Pastrnak leads the team in goals scored and is second in points to his current linemate Brad Marchand. Only three games in, he has already netted four goals, including the game winner against Winnipeg. If he is able to avoid injury, he could be amongst the team’s leaders in points. He will get a further boost when teammate Patrice Bergeron returns from injury, which could be as early as the home opener Thursday versus the New Jersey Devils.
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