Leo's Hockey Reports: The Pastrnak era begins in Boston
Boston is a city known for a variety of foods, such as lobster rolls and New England clam chowder. The iconic Boston cream pie was born in the city, as was their famous baked beans.
Despite this variety, fans in the city will be served a healthy feed of pasta for the foreseeable future. Boston named David Pastrnak as their captain on Sept. 27.
Fans have given Pastrnak the nickname “Pasta” over the years.
Boston drafted Pastrnak in the first round of the 2014 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. He was the assistant captain for the past five seasons.
Going into the new season, the Bruins' coaching staff and management felt he was the right person to lead the team.
"Obviously, very grateful and humbled and honored to be the captain. I obviously recognize all the responsibilities that come with it. I can’t wait," Pasternak told reporters. “I always am honest with you guys that I have no plan to change. I’m happy with the way I was raised and I am trying to make my mother proud every day.”
Pastrnak has established himself as one of the NHL's purest scoring wingers and playmakers. His opponents have been forced to marvel at his pure skill.
The Czechia native finished last season with exactly 100 points. That number marked a career high and put him in contention for the Rocket Richard Trophy. He achieved the mark in just 77 games. Pastrnak reached the century mark in each of the past four seasons.
Yet, his club production is only one piece of the puzzle. Pastrnak has proven himself as a leader when playing for his home country during international events. He scored the biggest goal in Czechia's history two years ago, when the team defeated Switzerland to win the IIHF World Championship at the O2 Arena in Prague.
Pastrnak was also the flag bearer for his country at the 2026 Olympics in Milan.
The new captain was humble during his introductory press conference. He gave former captains their flowers for helping him break into the NHL as a youngster.
At the same time, Pastrnak wanted his teammates to know that everyone should feel "comfortable and welcome" under his leadership.
"We are going to work as a team and continue to do that,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a 10-year veteran, you’re always welcome here and you have a voice in this room whether you have a letter on or not.”
Sawyer Trainor is a business student at the University of Prince Edward Island. He has been a die-hard fan of the Bruins for "as long as he can remember." He inherited the fandom from his father.
Trainor was also inspired and influenced by the play of Patrice Bergeron.
The appointment was something Trainor felt was "well deserved," given what Pastrnak has done for the city in his 11 seasons with the club. His favourite moment during that time was his series-clinching goal in Game Seven against Toronto in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Pastrnak was the obvious choice. I'm so happy for him," he said. "We were waiting for the captain to be named. A little piece of me was thinking it was going to be [Charlie] McAvoy.”
Pastrnak joins a long line of former Bruin captains. Some of those players have gone on to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Others are ingrained in Boston's sporting history and have a permanent place in the hearts and minds of supporters.
Trainor believes Pastrnak would be ranked fifth or sixth all-time on Boston's franchise captain list. His ranking could get even higher if Pastrnak brings a cup back to Boston.
He feels Pastrnak is the "heart and soul" of the team.
The distinction was evident last season when Boston played Buffalo in the Playoffs.
"I am pretty biased on Bergeron. Chara brought a cup to the city,” said Trainor. “I'd have to look at the whole ones, but I know 'the Chief,' Johnny Bucyk, would be up there too.”
As for his hopes for the first season under Pastrnak's leadership, Sawyer wants the team to make the postseason and be in the mix, despite the Eastern Conference set to be a battle "right to the very end."
Boston is undefeated to start the Pastrnak captaincy era. He has two assists in three games.
"You have Montreal, Buffalo and Tampa that are topping the Atlantic. You have Carolina and Washington pretty much locked up in the Metropolitan [Division]," said Trainor. "So, it's going to be a tough race for the Wild Card.”
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