BHN Puck Links: Boston Bruins Prospect Not Alone In World Juniors Cuts

It was stunning to see Boston Bruins prospect Johnny Beecher left off the Team USA roster for World Juniors on Saturday morning, and unfortunate to see that it was due to a positive COVID-19 test for the 2019 B’s first round pick.

But Beecher wasn’t the only young American prospect left off Team USA’s roster because of the unfortunate COVID-19 circumstances.

Team USA GM John Vanbiesbrook confirmed later on Saturday that Beecher was the only COVID-19 positive test for Team USA, but that his roommate San Jose Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau was also left off the team because he was in close proximity to Beecher: “(Beecher & Bordeleau) were crushed. We were informed early [on Saturday] morning. We appealed, did everything we could” but final roster had to be turned in.

It’s really too bad that both bright, young hockey players were caught in 2020’s maelstrom of weirdness as they were clearly looking forward to competing for their country, with Beecher looking to play in the World Juniors after playing in the tournament last season. It’s also too bad for Boston Bruins fans that were looking forward to the holiday tournament to get a good look at one of Boston’s top prospects in the system as a sophomore at the University of Michigan.

But now Boston Bruins fans will instead keep their eyes on Team Finland’s Matias Mantykivi and Team Russia’s Roman Bychkov as the lone two B’s prospects in the tournament, and perhaps start counting down the days until the 2021 NHL regular season expected to start about a month from now.

Now onto the links:

*Speaking of the World Junior Championships, Ottawa Senators draft pick Tim Stuetzle is ready to lead Team Germany in what’s expected to be a favored group at the tournament. (Sportsnet)

*Cool story about Ryan Reaves and fatherhood that gives a different side to the notorious tough guy for the Vegas Golden Knights. (WGRamirez.com)

*A pair of Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospects are expected to take part in the World Juniors, which bodes well for the future between the pipes for the Penguins. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

*Who has the better home sweater? C’mon, now. Do we even have to ask this question?

Who has the better HOME sweater – @NHLBruins or @MapleLeafs?#NHLBruins | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/8wPuY3R1QU

— #ThankYouDoc (@NHLonNBCSports) December 10, 2020

*The Carolina Hurricanes stood pat with their goaltending situation, which has very clearly not been good enough with Petr Mrazek and James Reimer. Could they make a move for Marc-Andre Fleury or Darcy Kuemper somewhere down the line? (The Athletic)

*For something completely different: Interesting study that says kids with developing brains get more out of receiving material gifts than memory gifts like a family trip to Disney. (CNBC)