New habits for Zboril
This time, no more camp fun
When the Bruins hopefuls finally finished their testing and spilled out onto the ice, Jakub Zboril was the first one to hit the Warrior Ice Arena sheet. It was no accident. The Czech-born Zboril, taken with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 draft, had been known to be a bit of a goofball in his first couple of camps. That’s fine for the typical teenager, but NHL clubs are not looking for typical. That was made clear to the now 20-yearold, and it certainly seems like he’s listened. This is Zboril’s third B’s development camp, and he figured it’s time to get down to business.
“I’m one of the older guys here this year and I had to change my attitude and be a good example for younger guys and try to help them out and show them the way a little,” said the left-shot defenseman after a long day of physical testing and an hour-plus on ice session.
“When I came here the first time I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would be fun. I’m a freespirited guy, so I like doing jokes and all that. But I tried to let that go and be more serious about it.”
Jamie Langenbrunner, the B’s player development coordinator, watched Zboril grow up in the two years since the B’s drafted him, especially last season when his Saint John Sea Dogs won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and played in the Memorial Cup.
“He’s gone leaps and bounds, and I think it’s a comfort level for him,” said Langenbrunner. “I think the maturation process throughout the year, from rookie camp to the end of the year, has been fantastic. You can see how he integrates himself into the group now, how he’s turning into a leader.”
Zboril had a strong bounce-back season for the Sea Dogs in 2016-17. He admitted that when he went back to his junior team after his first training camp in 2015, he didn’t have the best frame of mind, believing that after playing with pros, the junior game would be easier. It wasn’t.
He went from 33 points as a rookie to just 20 in his second season. But last season he got back on track, posting 9-32-41 totals with a plus-19. He was on the second power-play unit — the top spot went to standout Ottawa prospect Thomas Chabot, drafted five picks after Zboril and a player to whom the Bruin will probably be compared for years to come — and made the most of his chances.
“It was a much better year for me,” said Zboril. “When I went back to juniors I knew what to expect, so I was ready for it. I think I did a good job of adjusting to junior level again.”
He also got loads of playing time in the playoff run and posted a 3-4-7 and a plus-10 in 16 postseason games.
“It was so fun,” said Zboril. “Our team got really together for the playoffs and it was such a blast, and to go all the way to the Memorial Cup was so nice.”
Perhaps feeding into Zboril’s more business-like approach is the feeling he might actually have a shot at making the Bruins roster in September. A year ago at this time, the B’s were looking for a veteran right-shot defenseman until Brandon Carlo’s training camp performance called off the search party.
Now, the B’s seem to be in need of a veteran left shot blueliner. Could Zboril change management’s mind on that, too? He’s got a couple of players ahead of him on the depth chart — both Robbie O’Gara and Matt Grzelcyk have a year of pro hockey under their belts — and Zboril is yet to play a pro game other than an exhibition last year.
Still, he knows opportunity exists.
“When I saw Brandon got to play the full season and didn’t even get sent back to Providence, I was looking at it and was like, ‘ Hey, maybe I’ve got a chance, too,’ ” said Zboril. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a hard road but if I keep working hard maybe it will pay off.”