Bruins rookies ramp up pace

September 10, 2011|Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

WILMINGTON — The Bruins rookies have completed their second on-ice session. They have one more practice tomorrow before they leave for Long Island for a pair of games against the Islanders.

The coaching staff jacked up the tempo today. The hardest drill was a full-length one-on-one matchup that ended only after a goal. During one shift, Jared Knight and Ryan Button failed to score after several end-to-end rushes, which had them sucking wind and struggling to find their legs.

“They skated hard and competed,” said assistant GM Jim Benning. “It should be good going into these games to see the spirit of the group we have. They look good so far. I’m looking forward to that.”

* Zach McKelvie is the oldest of the bunch, checking in at 26 years old. McKelvie, a West Point graduate, was stationed in Fort Benning, Ga., the last two years. McKelvie has completed his Army assignment and is free to pursue his hockey career. Benning described McKelvie as a two-way defenseman whose biggest asset is his skating. “He’s a great skater,” Benning said. “He hasn’t played competitive hockey the last two years from college. But because he’s such a good skater and he moves well out there — he’s a competitive kid — I think his timing will be off a little bit to start off. Once he gets his timing, I think he can turn out to be a good player for us.”

* Ryan Spooner and Tyler Randell were paired for several drills. Randell is best known for his fighting. But Randell developed a scoring touch last year, which could translate into his first pro season.