Off the Ice: Coyle Gets Engaged, Clifton Ties the Knot

BOSTON - As summer winds down and training camp inches closer, the Bruins remained busy away from the rink over the last couple of weeks. Here's a look at what they were up to:

Popping the Question

Bruins center Charlie Coyle proposed to girlfriend, Danielle Hooper, over the weekend on Nantucket. "Did a little something…I lucked out," Coyle joked during an appearance on WEEI during the 19th Annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon at Fenway Park.
Coyle also revealed that he was back on the ice after undergoing a knee procedure earlier this offseason.
"I had the surgery, should be good now," said Coyle, who added that he'd been dealing with the issue for two or three years. "Put it behind me and I'll be firing on all cylinders…I got on the ice for the first time [on Wednesday], which was an awesome step. Felt really good."
The 29-year-old is gearing up for what could be a new role with the B's after coach Bruce Cassidy said earlier this month that the centerman could take over David Krejci's spot on the second line.
"It's an opportunity," said Coyle. "We have a lot of guys who can play that role. It's going to create that inner competition which is gonna make us a better team. But that's not my position right now, I've got to earn it. That's my job going in. I've got to be the best player I can.
"That's my goal is to get healthy first off…that's a big role for our team and I want to play a big part in that."

Tying the Knot

Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton also recently married longtime girlfriend Amanda Thompson.

Coming Together for A Cause

Coyle, Matt Grzelcyk, Jeremy Swayman, and Cassidy took part in the 19th Annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon at Fenway Park this week. B's CEO Charlie Jacobs was also on hand to announce a $50,000 donation on behalf of the organization.
"Anything we can do to give back to help kids," Cassidy told 'Gresh and Keefe' on WEEI. "A big thank you to everyone who's involved with The Jimmy Fund, especially the Dana Farber Institute. We're happy to do our part here."

Making Progress

Tuukka Rask also joined the Radio-Telethon on Wednesday morning and provided an update on his offseason hip surgery, while also reiterating that there is no team other than the Bruins for which he would like to continue his career.
"Still two or three weeks away from working out," Rask told 'The Greg Hill Show' on WEEI. "[The surgery] was perfect, the doctors said. They fixed everything they wanted to and now it's just waiting…as of two weeks ago, no more crutches.
"I'd be ready to go probably around Christmas-time, January. Hopefully I can start skating here in about a month and a half or so and kind of progress from there and be ready to go in January."
Rask, who remains an unrestricted free agent, said talks with Bruins general manager Don Sweeney regarding a new contract have continued.
"We've had good talks with Sweens and I think we're on the same page," said Rask. "We'll see how my rehab goes and we'll hopefully sign a contract…I've been so lucky to be part of only one team in the NHL.
"For me, it's about that pride of playing for one team and one team only. I have no reason to chase the money anymore and go somewhere else. It's gonna be one of those things where I feel like the Bruins is my home, Boston is my home."

Taking Home a Title

Earlier this month,

that he'd been coaching first base for his son Cole's baseball team this summer. A few days later, Winchester took home the 2021 Bay State Baseball championship.