Boston Bruins
“I think it was partly just confidence in my ability. I knew what I could do.”
Dean Letourneau scored 22 goals in his second year at BC. Boston College Athletics
As frustrating as it has been for Commodore Letourneau to take a look at his stat line in 2024-25, the Bruins’ 2024 first-round pick hasn’t given up hope after a tough first year in the college ranks.
The Bruins certainly took some risks when they snatched a 6-foot-7 raw talent in Letourneau with the 25th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Although Letourneau’s combination of size and scoring was exciting, there were questions about how well a potential boom-or-bust talent like Letourneau could make the leap from prep competition (127 points in 56 games at St. Andrew’s College) to the challenge of Hockey East.
Those questions were answered harshly for Letourneau and the Bruins during that first year at Boston College, as Letourneau had no goals and just three assists over 36 games.
Facing the first major setback of his young hockey career, Letourneau didn’t think about making a fresh start elsewhere after a disastrous first year at Boston College.
Instead, the Bruins prospect counted down the days until his return to Chestnut Hill — hoping for a chance to put those struggles in the rearview mirror.
“I think it was partly just confidence in my ability.” Letourneau told reporters at Warrior Ice Arena on Monday about fighting during his early struggles in British Columbia. “I knew what I could do. … I think it was an unusual year for me; this was not something I expected. So I had confidence in my abilities to recover and have the year I had, so I think that was the biggest part of it.”
What difference can one year make?
A year after being labeled a potential flop, Letourneau has shifted the narrative around his pro potential — having arguably the highest ceiling of any player in Boston’s burgeoning prospect pipeline.
“In year one, I think confidence was probably the biggest issue,” Letourneau admitted at Bruins development camp. He added: “I entered last year with full confidence in my abilities, and I knew what I could do.”
Letourneau’s sophomore season was night and day from his first-year struggles with the Eagles.
Any college player who can score 22 goals and collect 39 points in 36 games against Hockey East competition deserves a lot of attention.
Especially when a player with Letoruneau’s offensive upside also boasts a 6-foot-7 frame and already weighs 235 pounds.
While Letorueanu’s smooth hands and powerful shot have allowed him to pad the stat sheet against fellow prep players, it is his physical tools that will allow him to potentially dominate in professional matches.
But, as palpable as that feeling may be when watching Letourneau tower over the ice, he and Bruins director of player development Adam McQuaid acknowledged that relying on those physical attributes was one of the biggest hurdles the young forward must overcome before his breakout year.
“It was a big jump from the year before.” McQuaid said Monday. “I give him a lot of credit, because he stayed confident and believed in himself and committed to the process, and I think he learned a lot last year and carried it into this year.
“He comes in with high expectations for himself, and he’s had a great year. The big things are he’s using his size a little bit more, he’s embracing that, he’s processing the game quicker, and then on top of taking the physical steps, he’s getting stronger and faster.”
Letourneau’s game isn’t necessarily rooted in bruising style on the ice.
But, similar to Tjae Thompson — the 6-foot-6 forward who represents Letourneau’s ceiling in the pro ranks — Letourneau can complement his evolving offensive skill set by outsmarting his opponents up the ice, using his reach to hunt down skating shots, and making life miserable for even the toughest defenders in the pro game.
Letourneau isn’t ready to move to the next level yet.
But, another year at BC — where he should take over as the Eagles’ top forward after fellow Bruins youngster James Hagens turns pro — Letourneau should be ready to make a push next spring as part of Boston’s next wave of promising talent.
“I definitely feel a little closer,” Letourneau said. “I definitely feel more prepared for the next step. “The goal is to get back to BC and have a more controlled year, and then see what happens from there.”
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