It wasn’t long ago that the Bruins drafted Jack Studnicka in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and predicted bigger and better things for him.
After making a strong impression at two Bruins development camps and NHL training camps, Studnicka is lighting up the major junior ranks. The 19-year-old is currently with Team Canada training for the World Junior Championship, which will be held at the end of this month. He played on Canada's top line with Morgan Frost, who is a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, and Alexis LaFreniere, who is eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft during a warmup game Wednesday.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Studnicka made the best impression.
Who stood out in Wednesday's #WorldJuniors tuneup? @TSNBobMcKenzie joins #JayAndDan to discuss. pic.twitter.com/DS2ueckacS
— #JayAndDan (@JayAndDan)
December 13, 2018 “Pretty obvious Jack Studnicka was the best player on the ice,” said McKenzie after watching Studnicka's two-goal performance. “That line was really good offensively, Studnicka was the best of the bunch of them. That line was really good and Studnicka was terrific.”
The second-season Oshawa Generals captain has taken his game to the next level since being drafted by the Bruins .
Studnicka has tallied 105 points (32 goals, 71 assists) through 95 games played in Oshawa, not including playoffs.
After a strong season during 2017-18 in Oshawa, Studnicka was called up to the Providence Bruins where he tallied five points (one goal, five assists) through five games.
Unfortunately due to the NHL/CHL agreement, for Studnicka it was either make the NHL club or be sent back to the OHL, he was not eligible for the AHL. The Bruins might be able to use him at the conclusion of his junior season but it's unlikely we'd see him Boston before that because the scenarios in which he could be called up during this season are very unlikely to happen.
To clear up the Jack Studnicka situation that some #NHLBruins fans think he can be recalled after the WJC. From the NHL-CHL agreement. He can not. the Cap Friendly tweet from a few years ago wasn't clear. https://t.co/WANogT0mJJ @MattKalman @DaleEArnold @scott_sadowski pic.twitter.com/zyLi3zkg7f
— Nathan Fournier (@jrhockeywriter)
December 13, 2018 If Studnicka keeps impressing, the Bruins will probably bring him into the fold as soon as the rules allow.
