Zach to the B’s future
Senyshyn aims high
Zach Senyshyn had his chance to make a splash shortly after making his pro debut in Providence.
The Bruins AHL affiliate was in the Calder Cup semifinals when, in overtime, he turned on his well-known jets to create a breakaway. Senyshyn picked a spot under the crossbar for the would-be game-winner and he appeared to have Syracuse Crunch goalie Mike McKenna beaten.
But instead of celebrating, Senyshyn’s shot went off the knob of McKenna’s stick and play continued.
“Yeah, that one gave me a couple of nightmares after that,” said Senyshyn with a laugh. “But as long as I’m creating those opportunities and playing well away from the puck, I was really happy with my game in Providence. An inch to the left or an inch to the right and it goes in. I’m just happy (Providence teammate) Jordan Szwarz was able to put one in after that.”
Such is life for the Bruins’ prospect, the 15th overall pick in 2015, who got his dose of reality in Providence after his junior hockey career in Sault Ste. Marie was over last spring.
Not only did he learn that the puck doesn’t go in quite as easily as it did in juniors — 87 goals in 125 games the last two years — as he didn’t find the back of the net in four AHL playoff games.
Senyshyn also learned that he’s not guaranteed a spot in the lineup based on his draft status.
“That is definitely part of being a pro, learning that it’s not going to be just handed to you,” said Jamie Langenbrunner, the Bruins player development coordinator after Day 2 yesterday of the team’s camp. “And for him, I think he handled it very well. He worked hard off the ice, and when he came in, he didn’t look out of place. Sometimes it’s a big jump from junior hockey to the (AHL) and obviously the (NHL). He handled it very well. He had chances. Obviously it would have been nice if he had had more success offensively. He’s a guy who fancies himself as a guy who can score goals and when you don’t, it can be frustrating.
“But in my mind, that’s perfect. He’s going to have to learn that as you go up the leagues, it’s not as easy to score and you have to find ways to be effective when you’re not scoring.”
The right winger owns the necessary tools to make it as a top-six forward in the NHL. He can shoot. He might be the fastest player in the entire Bruins system. And, at 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds, he has the kind of frame to play against grown-ups.
“I’m definitely starting to put on more of a man’s frame. I’m trying to build as much muscle as I can while still staying fast and explosive,” said Senyshyn, who was drafted with a pick that came as part of the Dougie Hamilton trade, a package that also netted prospects Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Jeremy Lauzon.
“I felt very comfortable (in Providence). Obviously it was a little bit of an adjustment period in that first game, but I feel confident in my strength and being able to battle with those guys and compete with them.”
Now it’s all about improving the details of his game, said Langenbrunner, and figuring out how to play when the puck isn’t on his stick.
“I feel very confident in my ability to create offense, but it’s being effective in all zones when you don’t have the puck,” said Senyshyn. “You only have the puck for a certain amount of time. To help your team win, you really have to be effective in all areas of the ice.”
In a perfect world, Senyshyn would follow the same development path as his draft classmate Jake DeBrusk, who spent last season in Providence, enjoyed a strong developmental year and will be a key guy to watch in training camp as a player with a shot to make the Bruins.
But if it comes sooner, Senyshyn wouldn’t argue against it.
“I think I still have a lot to learn, but I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and a lot of confidence in my skill,” he said. “If I listen to the coaches and do what’s asked of me, I don’t think I’m very far off at all.”
‘I think I still have a lot to learn, but I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and a lot of confidence in my skill. . . . I don’t think I’m very far off at all.’ — ZACH SENYSHYN