Boston Bruins Signs BU's Matt Grzelcyk

Boston University senior captain Matt Grzelcyk has signed a two-year entry level contract with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins had selected the Charlestown, Massachusetts native in the third round, 85th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Grzelcyk is a small defenseman that makes up for his size with remarkable maturity and intelligence with the puck. He's a strong skater with a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to knock off the puck. His most valuable asset may be his leadership and character abilities. He served as team captain for the Terriers for each of the past two seasons.

Grzelcyk opted to turn down a contract offer from the Bruins last summer to return to BU for his final season. It got off to a rocky start when he was sideline with a knee injury, but Grzelcyk recovered to score 10 goals for a second straight season, and notch 13 assists for 23 points in 27 games, which would have put him third in the nation in points per game by a defenseman if he had played enough games to qualify.

We ranked Grzelcyk as the 25th-best NHL prospect in the NCAA this season.

Grzelcyk will finish the season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL on an amateur tryout before his contract begins next season.