In the System: Zellers Named NCHC Forward of the Week

BostonBruins.com – Check out how Boston Bruins’ prospects have performed recently through Providence, the NCAA, juniors, and Europe.

NCAA

Will Zellers was named the NCHC Forward of the Week, recording three assists in No. 4 ranked North Dakota’s 3-2 win at Bemidji State last Friday, before posting two goals and one assist in the team’s 4-3 win in a rematch at home on Saturday. The sophomore forward leads his team in points after the first weekend of the season and ranks tied for sixth nationally while having the fewest games played. The Maple Grove, Minnesota, native was originally selected by Colorado in the third round (76th overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and was acquired via trade along with Casey Mittelstadt and a second-round pick in the 2025 draft (Liam Pettersson) for Charlie Coyle and a fifth-round pick in 2026.

Casper Nassen recorded two assists in Lake Superior State’s 7-4 loss at Lindenwood last Thursday, before notching a goal and an assist in a 4-3 victory in the rematch on Friday. The junior forward ranks tied for second on the team with four points through two games. The Norrtalje, Sweden, native was originally selected by Boston in the seventh round (214^th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Providence

The Providence Bruins (1-4-0-0) earned their first win of the season in a 6-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers, while falling in both other matchups last weekend.

Goaltender Simon Zajicek was credited with the first goalie goal in Providence Bruins history in the win over the Checkers last Saturday. The netminder made a save off a shot from the point, before a Charlotte forward corralled the rebound and send an errant pass all the way back into his own empty net. Zajicek also stopped 30 of 32 shots faced and was named first start of the game. The Frydlant, Czechia, native boasts a 1.52 goals against average and a .943 save percentage through two starts this season.

Juniors

Cullen McCrate recorded an assist in the Brantford Bulldog’s 4-2 loss to the Kingston Fronteacs on Saturday. The defenseman totals one goal and five assists through seven OHL games this season. The Adrian, Michigan, native was originally selected by Boston in the seventh round (216^th overall) of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Europe

Vashek Blanar started the season strong with HV71 Jr. of the Swedish Junior Hockey League. The defenseman has tallied three goals and three assists through four games this season. The Vail, Colorado, native was originally selected by Boston in the fourth round (100^th overall) of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.  

Oscar Olsson scored three goals in his last two games with Orebro HK Jr. of the Swedish Junior Hockey League. The forward has tallied seven goals and five assists through his first 12 games of the season. The Huddinge, Sweden, native was originally selected by Boston in the fourth round (122^nd overall) of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

More stats and information about the Bruins' prospects can be found below and on the Boston Bruins Prospects Site.