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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — In precisely per week, Zack Bolduc will likely be within the combine together with a plethora of forwards making an attempt to throw a wrinkle into the strains for the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25.
However within the meantime, Bolduc will likely be a frontrunner by instance for fellow prospects this weekend.
One step at a time.
The 21-year-old will put on the captain’s ‘C’ when the Blues host the 2024 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase Friday-Sunday in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild prospects at Centene Group Ice Middle.
And rightfully so.
If you throw within the rosters of the Blues, Wild and Blackhawks, Bolduc has extra NHL expertise (25 video games) than all the opposite gamers mixed. The winger is a seasoned professional at this, and he, together with Zach Dean, Dalibor Dvorsky and Dylan Peterson will put on the letters whereas main the Blues in video games Friday at 7 p.m. in opposition to Chicago and Sunday at 3 p.m. in opposition to the Wild.
“I am in my third camp now, third rookie match. I am excited,” stated Bolduc, the seventeenth decide within the 2021 NHL Draft. “I feel we’ve got a superb group of fellows, quite a lot of them have been right here earlier than the camp. All of us skate collectively just a little bit earlier than. I need to present an instance, simply attempt to win these two video games. It is at all times an honor to be the captain of a crew.
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“On the finish of the observe, coach got here to the 4 of us and instructed us we have been going to be the captains and assistants. It’ll be a enjoyable weekend right here in St. Louis.”
Steve Konowalchuk, named coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League on Might 20, will likely be guiding Blues prospects this weekend and stated Bolduc, who had 5 targets and 4 assists in his NHL debut season final 12 months, was a pure match.
“For this match, he is a veteran and he performed video games with St. Louis,” Konowalchuk stated. “He ought to be capable of prepared the ground and know the small print and work ethic in a match like this together with another guys.
“… There’s gamers on the market and everyone ought to have that perspective that they’ll make the Blues, however there is definitely some guys which can be going to be out right here within the subsequent couple of video games which have legit possibilities. It is thrilling.”
And Bolduc is one among them.
He is added weight — Bolduc stated he is as much as 195 kilos, or three kilos greater than his taking part in weight final 12 months — and he is added some profound information of what he must work on to raised enhance his sport.
“A whole lot of puck safety. I feel holding on the puck a bit extra,” Bolduc stated. “I feel when you bought the puck longer in your stick, you create offense. That was one huge factor that I labored on. Should you maintain that puck in your arms, you have to create some offense. That was my primary focus for positive. You need to get stronger, just a little bit heavier too. I feel that was my primary focus.”
Bolduc is most actually a wild card with regards to roster slots and will he make the crew, the place he suits.
The left-handed shot confirmed the flexibility to play wherever within the lineup, as evidenced by his sturdy capabilities to play within the high six when given the possibility. However Bolduc understands nothing is for certain; he has to show himself once more.
“I had nice moments right here on the finish of final season, however nothing is acquired,” Bolduc stated. “I’ve to work for my spot. I confirmed that I can play with these guys. Now I’ve to redo it and present them what I can do once more.
“I am repeating myself, however I feel nothing is acquired. I’ve to work for what I would like. I need to present that I can skate with these guys, I can shoot, I can create offense and I could be good within the d-zone.”
Will probably be a tall job, nonetheless.
The Blues added to their combine after they acquired forwards Radek Faksa, Alexandre Texier and Mathieu Joseph to the combo, leaving spots quick and few for skaters to struggle for.
“If you see that competitors in every single place within the lineup and within the room, it is form of tense just a little bit, however on the similar time, you are excited,” Bolduc stated. ‘Proper now, my focus is a little more on these first two (prospect) video games on Friday and Sunday. There’s quite a lot of guys. There’s like 14 forwards a method and 9 or 10 D a method. There’s going to be good competitors, however I feel it is good for the crew, it is good for the Blues.
“(However) I do know that I can play with these guys. I do know I may help the Blues to win video games. I’ve simply bought to point out it on the ice and produce my greatest property on the ice.”
That is why Bolduc is set as anybody to make an enduring impression, beginning this weekend.
“I realized so much final 12 months within the American League. I simply need to play right here,” Bolduc stated. “I actually do not care if I am within the second, third or fourth (line). I feel I may help that crew to win some video games. I feel with my velocity and my capturing skills, I feel I can play on no matter line I will be on. I am simply able to do no matter it takes to be within the lineup in the beginning of the season.”
Related: 5 Blues Players To Watch At The Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase This Weekend
Related: St. Louis Blues will open training camp for 2024-25 season on Sept. 19
