Gabrielle Staying Focused After Entry-Level Deal

BostonBruins.com - Jesse Gabrielle left Bruins training camp this fall with work to do.
As do many of the prospects who fall short of making the big club, the 19-year-old forward was keen on improving his overall game and preparing himself as best he could for an eventual opportunity at the professional level.
Now, just a few months later, Gabrielle is inching closer to that chance.
Boston's 2015 fourth-round pick was signed to a three-year entry-level contract on Sunday, checking off the next box in his development.

"I'm really happy about it," Gabrielle said by phone before his Prince George Cougars hit the ice for practice Monday morning.
"It's a huge honor to be a part of the Bruins organization and getting a contract. It really gives me some good confidence the rest of the year. It just kind of came out of nowhere. I was just focusing on the season I had.
"It's been going really well, so it's nice to get rewarded like that. It doesn't change anything for me, but it's a huge honor."

Gabrielle is in the midst of a strong campaign for the Cougars. The winger has blended a gritty, powerful style of play with skill and scoring touch to emerge as one of the Western Hockey League's most well-rounded skaters.
"I think maturity and the little details in my game," Gabrielle said when asked what he has improved on most this season. "Maturity is a huge thing. I just want to be a pro every single day. That's the biggest thing I think you can bring to a team is just doing the little things right.
"I think that helps with my team and everything that I learned in Boston I brought back here. It taught me a lot."
The Moosomin, Saskatchewan, native, in his second season with Prince George, has tallied 19 goals (the sixth-highest total in the WHL) and 31 points (second on team) through 26 games. His 34 penalty minutes are the third-most on the Cougars.
"Penalty minutes, it is what it is, you don't try to go out there and rack them up, but for me it's been about putting the puck in the net," Gabrielle said of finding a balance between the two parts of his game.
"Every now and then you're going to have to stick up for a teammate, might have to take a penalty here or there, coincidental roughing or whatever it is.
"I'm just focusing on playing the game right and the rest will take care of itself."

Following the signing on Sunday, Bruins coach Claude Julien was asked about Gabrielle and what has stood out about the prospect since he was drafted. Julien said Gabrielle reminded him of a young Brad Marchand.
"He's got a lot of upside," said Julien. "He's got some speed, he's got some skill, he's got a great shot. And he's not afraid to get involved. For him, it's more about cleaning up the little parts of his game that's going to help him become a good pro."
Gabrielle, who has long said he looks up to Marchand as a player to model his game after, was pleased to hear the compliment.
"It's really humbling hearing that," said Gabrielle, who led Prince George with 40 goals last season. "It's pretty amazing being compared to that type of player from a guy like Claude. It's a huge honor. I want to prove him right.
"If I can be a type of player like that when I'm his age that would be a dream come true. But I just have to keep focusing on the process, keep listening to them and doing what they want me to do."
Boston's Player Development Coordinator Jamie Langenbrunner speaks with Gabrielle on a regular basis to check in on his progress and deliver advice on how to continue his advancement.
"Jesse has shown a lot of growth in his game on the ice and in his personal development off the ice," said Langenbrunner. "He's put a lot of work into the details of his game to turn himself from a good junior player to a player that has the tools to develop into an NHL player.
"His passion for the game is evident every time he touches the ice."

Gabrielle, who played three games with the Providence Bruins at the end of last season, credited Langenbrunner with being a major contributor in his development.
"Jamie's been great with helping me out ever since I was drafted," said Gabrielle. "Whatever I need to work on or if I need to talk, he's always available and always open for talking about anything."
Now that the contract has been signed, Gabrielle is putting his individual pursuits in the rearview mirror.
His focus now is to bring a championship to Prince George, which is leading the WHL's B.C. Division with a 22-8-2 record (46 points) and is second in the Western Conference.
"This is my last chance here in Prince George and I think we have a serious chance at winning," said Gabrielle. "I still want to keep working hard and not get complacent. That's a big thing for me. You don't want to get complacent after getting a contract.
"You still want to get better and continue to become a better hockey player."