Frederic fighting for shot
Center has embraced physicality
Trent Frederic is an enforcer with the Providence Bruins and he appears to enjoy his work.
The 6-2, 219-pound center accrued 148 penalty minutes in 59 AHL games this season to accompany his eight goals, 24 assists and plus 10. In comparison, Frederic had 67 penalty minutes over 55 games in the 2018-2019 season.
Frederic, who was the Bruins firstround pick (29th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, adopted a physical style of play over two rough and tumble seasons with Wisconsin in the Big 10. Frederic took that a step further this year by engaging in frequent throw-downs with the Baby B’s pugnacious opponents.
Frederic has come to the realization that his ability to police the ice is a marketable skill in the NHL. Retribution is a necessary part of pro hockey and worth every minute of downtime in the penalty box.
“It depends on how it presents itself in the game,” said Frederic during a Bruins Zoom town hall meeting on Thursday afternoon.
“It could probably vary but I enjoy doing it and sticking up for my teammates whatever the case may be. It’s the physical part of the sport I’ve been working on and stuff like that.
“So far, I’ve really enjoyed when one of my buddies gets hit or something and I can hop in. It doesn’t necessarily mean the fighting aspects and that part of the game. I’ll probably be doing it when I get there.”
Frederic is riding out the global COVID-19 pandemic at his family home in St. Louis. The state of Missouri is in the process of relaxing its stay at home policy, a change of status that has allowed Frederic to get back on the ice.
The 22-year-old has attempted to stay in hockey shape using the equipment at his disposal and even resorted to roller hockey to get a feel for the stick.
“I’ve been working out in a small group and doing less enterprising stuff while working out,” said Frederic. “I had the chance to skate outside of St. Louis County and we are opening up.
“I know a lot of people haven’t been able to do that and I’ve been golfing a lot, walking and carrying my bag and just living life with the family.”
Having access to ice time is a plus for Frederic, who hopes to get recalled to Boston with the Black Aces in the event the NHL resumes the season in July.
“We were playing a little two-ontwo, three-on-three and drills like that and my hands weren’t too bad,” said Frederic. “I was mostly my speed and turning and edges, that is what I was focusing on to get better.
“We had a Zoom call with the group and there were some dates being thrown around and it sounds like there is going to be some hockey. It sounds like there will be some playoff hockey.”
Frederic did a stint with the Blacks Aces during last season’s run to the Stanley Cup final. Frederic enjoyed the experience as the
Bruins rolled over the Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets and Hurricanes before facing the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup finals.
“It was obviously pretty crazy coming here and being here and showing up with the Black Aces and the group that I was in,” said Frederic.
Frederic grew up a Blues fans and he counted Keith “Walt” Tkachuk and David Backes as his childhood favorites. Frederic added that he’s modeled his game after Backes, who saw limited action with Boston in last year’s playoffs.
He wasn’t feeling any civic pride watching the Blues hoist the Stanley Cup on TD Garden ice after the Bruins 4-1 loss in Game 7.
“I hadn’t been to a Blues game since I was probably about 16 or so and it was crazy to see my hometown team and the team I was playing for duke it out.
“Obviously the outcome wasn’t great, it really kind of sucked. I had to come back to (St. Louis) and the parade and everything was going on. I actually came home then went out to one of my buddy’s farmhouse to ride horses and get away from all the junk that was going on. I didn’t want to be a part of it.”