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Not every NHL draft selection develops immediately, and some take longer to make their mark. For one former Boston Bruins fourth-round choice, that breakthrough appears to be happening this hockey season at the NCAA level with Quinnipiac University.
That player is Elliott Groenewold, whom the Bruins selected with the No. 110 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. At the time, he had just wrapped up a season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Since then, Groenewold has been with Quinnipiac, and he is now in his third season with the program.
In his first year with the Bobcats, Groenewold recorded 12 points, and he followed that up with a 20-point sophomore campaign. Now, the right-shot defenseman has kicked off this season at an even higher scoring pace, which should have the Bruins' attention.
Groenewold's Hot Start Draws Praise
Daily Faceoff prospect writer Steven Ellis recently gave Groenewold a shoutout, indicating he has been closely monitoring the early stages of the college hockey season. The statistics are certainly eye-catching: five assists in five games, and his on-ice performance has matched that production.
Ellis noted that having a player like Ethan Wyttenbach to pass the puck to certainly helps, but Groenewold's fast start is noteworthy in its own right, with a pair of multi-assist games opening his season. He is logging over 20 minutes per night and has become Quinnipiac's primary offensive catalyst from the blue line.
Groenewold has not been known for his point production in the past, but he showed signs of promise with a seven-goal, 20-point sophomore season a year ago. Whether his offensive game fully arrives could be the deciding factor in his NHL upside.
What Lies Ahead for Groenewold
The Bruins will not rush Groenewold to the NHL. They will want to see him sustain this improvement throughout the entire season before evaluating whether he needs another year in college before getting a chance in the AHL or NHL. So far this season, Boston has to be encouraged.
A fourth-round pick in 2024, Groenewold is praised more for his defensive play and his willingness to deliver massive hits with his pure strength, according to Ellis. However, his added offensive confidence is a welcome development for the Bruins.
It remains to be seen how long this hot streak will last. Fourth-round picks do not often become stars, but building strong depth often hinges on turning mid-round selections into reliable players. Groenewold is at least moving in the right direction toward that potential path for the Bruins down the road.
Originally reported by yahoo.