For Coyle, Trade to Bruins Fulfills Childhood Dream

LAS VEGAS- Charlie Coyle knows there will be plenty of emotions running through his mind on Tuesday night when he steps onto the TD Garden with the Spoked-B across his chest for the first time. A native of East Weymouth, Mass., the 26-year-old dreamed of playing in the National Hockey League and one day donning the Black & Gold.
"You've got me smiling just thinking about it," said Coyle, who was acquired from the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night in exchange for Ryan Donato and a 2019 conditional fifth-round pick.
"I'm watching Bruins games growing up in the Boston area, so that's what you envision. We all played street hockey in front of your house…or just skating on the pond when you're younger, you envision playing for the hometown team.
"I definitely did some of that when I was younger. Obviously it's a cool moment right now and I don't think it's fully hit me, but I'm pretty excited."

Coyle played for Weymouth High, Thayer Academy, the South Shore Kings, and Boston University and has deep routes in the Massachusetts hockey community. He is the cousin of former NHLer Tony Amonte and a good friend of Bruins winger Chris Wagner, his former teammate with the South Shore Kings and a long-time summer workout partner.
"I've been to plenty of Bruins games over the years," Coyle, who will wear No. 13, said during a conference call on Thursday evening. "I just loved that, to take all that in, wishing we were out there with them…I just loved growing up, being there and watching them on TV, at the Garden.
"It's pretty cool growing up in a hockey city, hockey community. I'm glad to be a part of it now."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right shot will make his Bruins debut on Saturday afternoon in St. Louis, likely as the team's third-line center. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and coach Bruce Cassidy both said they view Coyle as a natural pivot, but did not rule out the possibility of him playing the wing in a top-six role.
"I'm gonna talk to the coach a little more and see what his thoughts are and kind of share our opinions back and forth, see where I can best fit in and help the team," said Coyle, who was playing mostly wing with the Wild in recent weeks. "We'll kind of hit that when it comes."
Wherever Coyle ends up, he is thrilled to be joining a team in the thick of the playoff hunt. He arrives in the midst of Boston's seven-game winning streak - and 12-game points streak - which has propelled the Bruins towards the top of the league standings.
"They've been playing very well," said Coyle, a former first-round pick who had 10 goals and 18 assists in 60 games with Minnesota this season. "I caught the game [Wednesday] night [against Vegas] actually on TV and they're just finding ways to win. They've got a lot of confidence in their game right now. I just want to come in and just add whatever I can to that and keep that good feeling and good confidence going. I know I'll be able to do that.
"It's a great character group, awesome guys that have been there and have won. It's a winning culture. I'm just really excited about the opportunity to jump in and add whatever I can to that."
Coyle said he has already heard from Wagner and Torey Krug, as well as Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and alternate captain Patrice Bergeron, all of whom welcomed him to the group.
"I got a few texts from Chris Wagner and Torey Krug yesterday, I've known those guys," said Coyle, who also received calls from Sweeney and B's president Cam Neely. "I was pretty shocked to get a call from Zdeno and Patrice yesterday before their game. I knew they were playing, so I didn't expect anything. For them to call me and welcome me that way, that was pretty classy. I was pretty excited about that.
"It was nice to have a bunch of people reach out and make me feel welcome and just excited about coming in and meeting everyone."

Over his seven-year NHL career, Coyle has skated in 479 NHL games, compiling 91 goals and 151 assists for 242 points, with a career-high 56 points in 2016-17. He tallied a career-best 21 goals in 2015-16 and is hoping that a change of scenery will help take his offensive game to another level.
"It's nice to be wanted by another team," said Coyle. "You take it as a positive. It's really nice to have that feeling and know that the Bruins like me as a player and wanted me a part of their team.
"I think it's going to be a good change of scenery. Obviously, going into the winning culture here with the Bruins and the success they've had over the years, I'm really excited about that."
For a kid that grew up less than 20 miles from Causeway Street, the opportunity to represent his hometown team is a dream scenario both on the ice and off.
"I think it's gonna be a lot of emotions," said Coyle. "I've got family and friends working on tickets already. I know there's gonna be people there, the same people that are always watching on TV when I'm out in Minnesota playing for the last however many years. It will be a little different with them in the building, but I think it's gonna be a really awesome experience.
"And obviously I'm gonna focus on the task at hand and make sure I'm ready to play and do my job for my team. I'm also gonna enjoy the experience, as well. I think my family and friends will do the same."