Boston Bruins
Letourneau and the Eagles dominated Team USA’s NDTP roster.
Bruins fans are already getting a taste of James Hagens this season, and his fellow Boston College teammate looks to be only a year behind him.
Dean Letourneau put on a clinic for the Eagles in their exhibition against Team USA’s National Training Development Program (NTDP) squad. The future Bruin posted a hat trick in the 10-1 win at USA Hockey Arena.
Letourneau is deceptively fast on the ice thanks to his long strides, and he showcased that on his hat trick goal, gliding past the entire defense before putting the puck on his backhand to beat the NTDP program’s netminder blocker side.
Letourneau was clearly a mismatch in front of the net, too, as would be expected playing against a team of talented but younger and undersized players.
Still, Letourneau continues to show positive signs in his development since joining the Eagles. He had a relatively quiet first year at BC, but came into his own last season. And if Saturday is any indication, he has no intention of slowing down this year.
Boston’s early investment in him — with a pick that was considered to be a reach on draft night — seems as though it may pay off. You can’t teach height, and he’s a 6-foot-7 center whose stick handling has steadily improved throughout his college career.
The Eagles are considered one of the top teams in Hockey East this season, and Letourneau could be a possible Hobey Baker candidate if he remains in his current form.
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