The Boston Bruins made another minor league move this week signing Justin Courtnall to a contract with the Providence Bruins, according to a Bruins source.
The 23-year-old lefty-shooting forward opted to forego his senior season at Boston University to sign with the Bruins organization after taking part in Bostons Development Camp back in July. Courtnall is the son of former Bruins forward Geoff Courtnall, and the nephew of Russ Courtnall in an impressive example of NHL bloodlines.
Courtnalls father played for the Bruins from 1983-88 and scored 36 goals and 58 points in his best season during 1987-88 before getting traded to the Edmonton Oilers along with Bill Ranford for goaltender Andy Moog. During his 17-year with Boston, Edmonton, Washington, St. Louis and Vancouver Courtnall finished with 367 goals, 432 assists and 799 points in 1,048 NHL games.
Courtnall is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound gritty forward that didnt put up big numbers for the Terriers as attested by his 13 career points in 92 games for Boston University, but the Bruins saw something they liked back in July during the practice sessions at Ristuccia Arena.
Courtnall was actually an assistant captain for Boston University last season and appeared ready to head back to school for his senior season, but hes instead opted to sign with the Black and Gold team thats shown interest in him all along.The bruising forwardwas a seventh round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2007 draft, and has attended prospect camps for several different organizations.
My dad especially has really been there for me, said Courtnall to BostonBruins.com during his time at development camp this summer. Hes been able to tell me the ins and outs of what it takes to be a prohow hard you have to work and what kind of shape you have to be in.
You know, how important it is to be a professional at all times and make sure that youre always doing the right thing.
Boston Bruins
Courtnall is expected to be a gritty, physical forward for the P-Bruins with a high motor and plenty of room for improvement, and the youngster doesnt factor in the big clubs plans at this point. But Courtnall coupled with Chris Bourques recent trade to Boston appears to be making it feel like a little bit of a Bs family reunion when the players do finally report to training camp this year.College Hockey News reporter Scott McLaughlin was the first to report the news of the Courtnall signing.