PITTSBURGHThe wonderful storylines theme to the Bruins 2012 draft continued on Saturday morning when the Bs selected Charlestown native Matthew Grzelcyk in the third round with the 85th pick overall.
The teenager was playing for the US Team Development Program and is an undersized defenseman in the mold of David Warsofsky and Matt Hunwick, but perhaps with a bit higher offensive upside as he readies to enter Boston University in the fall. He was somebody that Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli actually singled out for plaudits prior to the draft, and perhaps that should have been a clue they might select him.
Youve got some kids that kind of went to the U.S. Development Program but are from the area, said Chiarelli. The Grzelcyk kids a very good, mobile defenseman. Hes later on down in the draft but hes got a good head on his shoulders.
The best part of the story: Grzelcyks dad has been a member of the Bull Gang at TD Garden for 40 years, and his son has grown up as a hockey-loving son of Boston in the shadows of the Bruins arena. Now he gets to live his dream as a Bruins prospect with the hope of one day skating for him hometown team.
"I really can't put it into words, said Grzelcyk at the CONSOL Energy Center after being selected. Pretty unexpected, so I'm so over the top right now....I couldn't be happier.