The Sunday Read: Borgen, Lohrei Gearing Up for Boston Training Camp

BOSTON –– Weights wallop the ground after a heavy lift. The stationary bikes hum as the wheels zip around. Chatter of summer excursions and hockey banter fills the halls.

The familiar sounds are returning to Warrior Ice Arena this month as Boston Bruins players trickle back into town for extra work before training camp starts in September.

Mason Lohrei, who is entering his fourth season with the B’s, has been around to help some of his new teammates adjust to the city, namely Will Borgen, who skated for Team USA with Lohrei in May at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. James Hagens, Connor Clifton and Alex Steeves were also there.

Borgen and Lohrei got reps playing with each other internationally before they knew they would land on the same team this NHL season. The Bruins acquired Borgen from the New York Rangers in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 conditional third-round pick on July 1. The right-shot defenseman has four years left on his contract, which carries an average annual value of $4.1 million

“We kind of clicked right away, hit it off, and then we got to play together, too, for like the last four games of the tournament. It was a lot of fun,” Lohrei said. “I was pretty excited [when Borgen got traded]. I just texted him right away and said I was happy he was coming.”

Borgen made the move to Boston a bit early to get settled before battling for a role in the Black & Gold.

“There’s always an adjustment because you want to learn the lay of the land at the rink, the city, driving to whether it’s the practice or game rink, all that stuff,” Borgen said. “It’s been nice to have [Lohrei] there. Kind of have a familiar face around the rink. Just makes things easier adjusting to everything – being able to ask him questions.”

Before arriving at his new home, Borgen spent a chunk of the summer back in Minnesota, where he is from. His family spends time on the lakes, golfs and pontoons to hang out at the sandbar – “That’s always a highlight,” Borgen said.

Everyone is ready to switch allegiances to the Bruins after Borgen’s past two years with the Rangers. The 29-year-old blueliner previously played for the Seattle Kraken from 2022 to 2025 and the Buffalo Sabres – who drafted Borgen in the fourth round of the 2015 Draft – for his first two years in the league.

“I think everyone was pretty surprised. Never really expect it, but they're all really excited for me because I am excited,” Borgen said. “They don’t know a lot of the guys – they were all big fans of Geekie when we played in Seattle together. They’re just happy for me because it’s not always easy getting traded. But when I am going to a city I really like and a team where I know a lot of players, it definitely makes things easier.”

Lohrei has also logged some good family time this offseason. They did a group trip to Whitefish, Montana, which was “gorgeous,” he said. Lohrei was training in Boston in July before going home to Wisconsin at the beginning of August for the last stretch. Earlier in the summer, Lohrei went to Paris for the Roland Garros tennis tournament with one of his best friends.

“You finish a long season and then extend it and go to Worlds for another three weeks. By the time it was over, it was really nice to kind of unplug and not think about anything,” Lohrei said. “It’s really important just to kind of get away from it before you ramp things back up in the summer.”

L'Entrecôte provided Lohrei’s favorite meal in Paris. The restaurant only serves steak, fries and their specialty sauce. The 25-year-old took some culinary inspiration back with him; he has cooked more this summer than he ever has, Lohrei said, and it has helped him put on weight.

“It’s something I just battle with like all summer. I would eat so much, protein shakes and it was just to kind of barely put on weight. Finally, by the end of the summer, camp would roll around, and I’d get to where I’d want to be. I’d always get to where I want to be. But the season would start, and it was just so hard for me to always keep weight on,” Lohrei said. “I think right away from the beginning of the summer – I was a little lighter from the season and stuff – but right away when I started to put weight on, it came back really fast and then I’ve been able to put on more weight, like muscle and stuff. It’s just been easier for me now. I think it’s just part of getting older. That’s something I’ve definitely noticed.”

Lohrei whips up a spread of steak, chicken, salmon and sides. He always makes sure to take a photo to send his mom, he said. There are also some extra mouths to feed – Matthew Poitras and Lukas Reichel are staying in Lohrei’s apartment for the weeks leading up to training camp.  

“It’s great. Obviously I enjoy living alone, but it’s nice to have – especially in the summer – it’s nice to have guys. They don’t have a place here yet, so just trying to help them out a bit. It’s fun to have them around. We’re always just hanging out on the couch. Everything we do, we kind of just do together,” Lohrei said. “Potsy and I were just throwing the baseball on the street the other day because we had nothing to do.”

Lohrei and Borgen will be in a deep group of capable defensemen at camp – including Clifton, Charlie McAvoy, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Jordan Harris, Jonathan Aspirot, Henri Jokiharju and Frederic Brunet. It is motivating instead of intimidating for them.

“I’ve always enjoyed pressure and competition. I just like those moments where you have to rise to the occasion,” Lohrei said. “Ever since I was little, I just think that’s something that I’ve always savored, and I want that. So I am excited. It is going to be high compete. We have 10 NHL-caliber defensemen that are all going for six spots. It’s going to be fun.”

What can Bruins fans expect from Borgen’s style of play?​

“Just a simple defenseman. I focus more on the defensive side of things. Try to be a safety valve back there and do my job on the defensive side always. It’s nothing crazy – I try to move the puck up to the forwards, let them do the job up front. And if I can help out in any way up there, or if I see an opportunity to join the offensive side, I will here and there,” Borgen said. “Try to play hard.”

​The mission for Lohrei is clear, and he’s been working on rounding out all areas of his game while getting bigger, faster and stronger. It is just a matter of weeks before he, Borgen and all the Bruins can put their summer training to practice.

​“For the season, I think it’s about playing all 84…I want to contribute in all areas. Offensively, defensively, all situations, 5-on-5, 4-on-4, overtime, power play, penalty kill. I want to be somebody that can play in every single situation. And I think I do have the tools to do it. I think it’s just putting everything together, which it’s obviously been a process,” Lohrei said. “Just excited to go out and prove that I deserve one of those spots.”