Fun with the Bruins
P.E.I. defenceman Bailey Webster enjoyed his time at rookie camp in Boston
Bailey Webster of Kelvin Grove, centre, is back with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Saint John Sea Dogs after taking part in rookie camp in Boston
Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Bailey Webster felt more than prepared when the season started Friday night in Charlottetown.
The 19-year-old from Kelvin Grove, P.E.I., had just returned from rookie camp with the Boston Bruins. Part of his week with the NHL club included a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
“I felt really comfortable,” Webster said. “I felt really relaxed and calm. The biggest change was the intensity, but the calibre of plays almost made (the game) easier. It was a great experience.”
Webster is a key component of the Saint John blue-line this season. An injury sidelined him for over half of last season, but he returned for the bulk of Saint John’s playoff run.
That’s when he caught the eye of the Bruins, who subsequently arranged for him to attend their rookie camp. He apparently made the most of the invitation.
“It went really well,” Webster said. “They were happy with my play. It was a lot of fun and everyone was great there.”
Webster’s previous NHL experience saw him attend a Montreal Canadiens development camp. But the Boston stint was more enjoyable.
“I thought it was a lot better,” he said. “In development camp, you’re working a lot on skill stuff. There was a scrimmage, but not a game against another team.”
Webster left knowing he’ll remain on Boston’s radar throughout the season.
“It felt really good hearing that from them, from coaches of that calibre,” he said.
Sea Dogs defenceman Jakub Zboril, one of Boston’s first-round draft picks in 2015, remained with the Bruins for the start of main training camp. – defenceman Ian Smallwood and forward Alexandre Lafreniere from the Woodstock Slammers, along with defenceman Matthew O’Leary from the St. Stephen Aces.
Smallwood, 17, has one assist in four games in his first season with the Slammers. The St. John’s native notched one assist in 11 games with the Sea Dogs last season. He was selected by Saint John in the ninth round (159th overall) of the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.
Lafreniere, 17, has one assist in four games in his rookie season with Woodstock. The Gatineau, Que., native played two games with the Sea Dogs last season after being selected by Saint John in the 11th round (190th overall) of the 2015 draft.
O’Leary, 17, has one helper in two contests with the Aces in his first season in St. Stephen. The native of Paradise, N.L., was selected by the Sea Dogs in the 12th round (208th overall) in 2015. The Sea Dogs also reassigned defenceman Simon Elsliger, who had been recalled last week.