You’re coming off your freshman year at Wisconsin. What do you think was key to your seamless transition from the National Team Development Program to college? "The NTDP really helped because the two years of USHL and all the international games and us playing college teams, it was almost like I already had a freshman year. It helped me know what to expect in those first games."
Luke Kunin, one of your teammates last year in Wisconsin, has moved on to the Minnesota Wild. Will there be some extra pressure on your shoulders now? "There’s a lot of great players there, so I don’t know if it will all be on me. But I definitely have to put in my shifts helping the team out and trying to win more games so we can make the NCAA tournament this year. I think it’s safe to say I’ll have a bigger role on the team, though."
You’re a first-rounder for Boston, so what’s it like navigating that fact at development camp? "This year I’m seeing the new facilities (at Warrior Ice Arena) for the first time, so that’s pretty cool. And also I’m seeing some older guys and hopefully future teammates. At the same time, I’m taking an online class right now, so balancing that and figuring out how to do that while in the hotel room. It’s been a balancing act."
Boston is trending toward a younger generation in signing guys like Charlie McAvoy and Anders Bjork. How does that impact your own outlook? "It gives me a lot of motivation and something to look forward to. Then again, I’m not looking to jump right into the pro game. I’m trying to focus on my time at Wisconsin and see what happens. Take it day by day, week by week, month by month."
Is there someone at the pro level whose game you try to emulate? "I used to say David Backes because I watched him with the St. Louis Blues, and I grew up around there. But now I like to watch (Leon) Draisaitl with the Edmonton Oilers, so my game’s a little like his. Focusing on faceoffs, being a two-way player, some defense and offense as well."
What’s something that Bruins fans don’t know about you? "I played football from second grade to 10th grade. I was a quarterback and when I was younger I also played safety. From like second to eighth grade I played for the Chesterfield Bears, then I went to De Smet Jesuit High School and played football there for two years and left for the NTDP."
Key Facts
Teams: University of Wisconsin, U.S. National Team Development Program, St. Louis Blues AAA
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Position: Forward
Honors: Drafted 29th overall (first round) by Boston in 2016; Big Ten Freshman of the Year and second-team All-Big Ten in 2016-17; bronze medalist, 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship
Favorites
Pregame meal: "I don’t really have one, but I drink a coffee, if that counts. I usually go black with a lot of cream."
Food: "I’m a big burger guy. Cheese and ketchup, real simple."
Vacation spot: Miami
Musician: "Keith Urban right now is my guy. I like country."
Song: "I’ll go with ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain. A little Wisconsin shout-out."
Actor: Will Ferrell
Movie: "Step Brothers"
TV show: "Prison Break"
Book: "‘The Million Dollar Putt’ by Dan Gutman. It’s old, like a 100-page book, about a blind kid who plays golf."
Sport outside hockey: Golf
Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Clothing brand: lululemon
Video game: NHL
Equipment
Stick: CCM
Helmet: CCM
Gloves: CCM
Skates: "(True) VH. Some guys are starting to wear them. They’re custom made to your foot."
