Gabrielle has sights set on top club spot
Jesse Gabrielle is not conceding anything.
The Sasketchewan native, the B’s fourth-round pick (105th overall) in 2015, will play his first full pro season starting in September and, while most peg the forward as being destined for Providence, he doesn’t see why it couldn’t begin in Boston.
“I’m coming in with the goal of making Boston,” said the product of the WHL’s Prince George Cougars. “I think I’m ready for that level, and I think this summer no one’s working harder than me. I pride myself on my hard work and for me it’s all about making Boston.
“If they give me an opportunity, I’m just going to prove them right. I think I bring that versatility where I can score goals and play down in the lineup as well. I’m hoping I get a chance.”
That attitude is consistent with the player that Gabrielle is most often compared — Brad Marchand. And at least through junior hockey, Gabrielle has shown some of the same tendencies. He wasn’t quite as prolific a scorer as Marchand was in Quebec, but his numbers are pretty darn good. After being drafted by the B’s, he posted 40 goals and 35 assists in 72 games along with 101 penalty minutes for Prince George.
Last year, Gabrielle missed 11 games due to his time at the B’s training camp as well as a mid-season injury, but he continued to achieve at a high level, notching 35 goals and 29 assists with 88 penalty minutes in 61 games.
“For me, I think I’ve been doing a good job of finding that line. I think the management here has been happy with the progress in that department,” said the 5-foot-11, 212-pound Gabrielle. “I don’t want to put any limits on myself. Marchand got (39) goals and I don’t see why I can’t do that as well.”
Jamie Langenbrunner, the Bruins player development coordinator, may not be ready to anoint Gabrielle as the next 30-plus goalscorer in the NHL, but believes he has the right traits to get the most out of his talents.
“If he’s Brad Marchand, I think we’ll be very happy,” said Langenbrunner with a chuckle. “But I think that’s a fair comparison in the style of play. He plays on the edge and gets under guys’ skin and he puts in a lot of work off the ice. He’s a dedicated player that continues to develop. He’s had the good fortune of going to Providence the last two years, getting a game or two each time and getting more comfortable each time.
“I think he’s a guy that’s going to be a good pro hockey player. With Marchie, it took him a little while to be an NHL guy, but Jesse has a lot of those same qualities.”
Missing men
Three prospects are “very questionable” to take this ice this week — defensemen
Ryan Lindgren (leg) and Jeremy Lauzon (sports hernia) and forward Cam Hughes (shoulder).
“Pushing them at this time of year doesn’t seem to make sense,” said Langenbrunner. . . .
Anders Bjork, expected to take a run at a spot on the B’s roster, is not at camp yet due to a family obligation. He is expected to be on the ice tomorrow.