Kuraly ‘Really Thankful’ For Boston Bruins Amid Columbus Reunion

While there has been plenty of chatter this season about the big personalities and players that are no longer on the Boston Bruins, one underrated subtraction this season was fourth line center Sean Kuraly.

Certainly, there have been times when they’ve missed his speed and penchant for scoring big goals, and they have definitely missed the exuberant celebrations when he did manage to light the lamp.

For the first time since signing with #CBJ, Sean Kuraly makes his return against the #NHLBruins. pic.twitter.com/Tyz0DzN5Mq

— Max Mainville 🇺🇦🤝🇨🇦 (@tkdmaxbjj) March 5, 2022

They’ll get an up-close look on Saturday night when the Boston Bruins travel to Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets where Kuraly will play his first career NHL game against the Black and Gold.

Kuraly had plenty of complimentary things to say about the B’s prior to going up against them for the first time since signing a four-year, $10 million deal with his hometown Blue Jackets in the offseason.

“It was obviously my first everything. My first game, goal…all situations. We got to go deep into the playoffs for a few years in a row,” said Sean Kuraly. “I got to learn from some future Hall of Famers and be in the same locker room as some pretty great players and great people and great leaders. A lot of great teammates and great friends that I’ve made over the years. I think the biggest thing is I got to learn a lot about being in the NHL and I’m really, really thankful for that.

“[The biggest lesson was] just go out there and work hard. That’s one thing I think those guys taught me the most is about practice. Practices were always high intensity and that’s probably one of the greatest lessons I took from them.”

Kuraly is enjoying a solid first season in Columbus with eight goals and 20 points in 55 games along with a plus-6 rating and is on pace for 12 goals and 30 points that would both be career-highs for the 29-year-old. Meanwhile, the Bruins have moved on with the solid Tomas Nosek and a new-look fourth line that also includes Curtis Lazar and Nick Foligno at the moment.

Speaking of Foligno, he’ll have his own reunion going on as he plays against the Blue Jackets team that he captained and spent bulk of his NHL career prior to signing with Boston.

“I have so many great memories of my time here, just the people that I got to work with…so it’s nice to come back and kind of say thank you to everybody.” — @NickFoligno on returning to Columbus tonight for the first time pic.twitter.com/McpEmV7LC0

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 5, 2022

It’s the rare NHL team change that’s worked out for both sides with any acrimony, so it will be a pleasant reunion for Kuraly and the Boston Bruins when they renew acquaintances on Saturday night.