‘It’s Just a Dream Come True’ for Jeannot to Join Boston’s Leadership Group

BOSTON –– Tanner Jeannot took the ice for warmups at TD Garden.

​It was Tuesday’s home opener against the New York Rangers. Jeannot remained on the fourth line with Mark Kastelic and Sean Kuraly. He played his reliable, fiery and physical game. For the most part, little changed for the 29-year-old forward entering his second season in Boston.​

His jersey, though, had a new addition.​

For the first time in his NHL career, Jeannot had an ‘A’ stitched on his chest. He was named one of the Bruins’ official leaders ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, alongside David Pastrnak, who was announced as the 28th captain in franchise history on Sunday.

“It’s obviously a huge honor. To be able to wear that on my sweater on an Original Six team, it’s just a dream come true. I just want to do everything I can to help the guys, help the team win. Bring it every single day, whatever that needs to be – if that’s making hits, blocking shots, getting to the net, going to the hard areas, whatever it is,” Jeannot said. “If I can bring in some leadership as well and just pump the guys up as much as I can, then I am going to do it. I am going to do everything I can for this team. It’s a huge honor. Couldn’t be happier to do it.”

Jeannot’s dad, Pat, was in the crowd for Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Rangers. While he is not a Massachusetts native, Pat’s loyalties have always been with the Bruins. His brother was a Philadelphia Flyers fan, so when they were young, he decided to root for the rival. Now, his son is an alternate captain for the team.

“It was pretty special. He was here and got to see it,” Jeannot said. “Him growing up being a Bruins fan, I think it was just a little bit extra. Special for him and special for me too.”​

When Jeannot arrived after signing a five-year deal with the Bruins in July 2025, head coach Marco Sturm was excited about what the team was getting in terms of a player and a person. The two overlapped in the Los Angeles Kings organization; Jeannot was there for the 2024-25 season when Sturm was the head coach of the Ontario Reign (AHL affiliate).

Jeannot came into Boston firing. The Estevan, Saskatchewan native posted 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) through 77 regular-season games, marking the second-highest total of his career. Jeannot led the Bruins with 239 hits and dropped the gloves eight times, ranking second-most on the team in fights behind Kastelic, who had 10. He also developed a strong voice amongst his peers.

“He definitely deserved to be one of those assistant captains,” Sturm said. “A lot of guys didn’t know, but I met him in LA, and I knew he was quite effective in the room. As soon as he left, that was the first thing that came out of LA – that they definitely missed him in those kinds of areas. He’s not just tough. He was really excited to have it, first of all, and to wear it. We all know how good he is around the players, the team and in the room.”

Jeannot and the Bruins are now off to Winnipeg as they open a two-game road trip. The B’s will face the Jets on Friday at Canada Life Centre and the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at Grand Casino Arena following their first win of the season on Tuesday.

​“I thought it was a really good full 60 minutes from the guys. We came out and we executed our game plan. Guys were sharp on their details, in the D-zone, on the rush and forecheck,” Jeannot said. “It helps that we have a lot of returning guys that learned the system last year and are helping out the new guys that did come in. Really good start; just have to keep building on it.”