The Boston Bruins called up center Trent Frederic from Providence on Monday. It is most likely that Frederic’s call-up is the last chance for the Bruins to find an in-house third line center solution. However, Frederic is ready to rock with Boston, literally.
First up, let’s introduce Trent Frederic to those who don’t know much about him. The American-born forward was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft. He spent his first post-draft season playing in NCAA for the University of Wisconsin, serving as an alternate captain. Frederic played 36 games for the Badgers, recording 32 points in the process.
Frederic also participated in World Juniors for team USA, skating in seven games and collecting five assists. He finished last season playing in Providence with the Bruins in the AHL, being part of 13 regular season games and other three in the playoffs. In those 18 games combined, Frederic finished with nine points.
In his first full pro season, Frederic has gotten better with Providence as the season moved along. He’s scored 10 goals and added seven assists in 37 games in the AHL during the current campaign. Despite still learning how to play hockey on the highest level and being 20 years old, Frederic has earned his first NHL call-up. As it seems now, it won’t stay just with a call-up. Frederic will make his NHL debut Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden.
The young forward will center the third line with Danton Heinen on his left wing and David Backes on his right. This should be fun because Frederic is a St. Louis native and he grew up watching the Blues with David Backes.
A 9-year old Trent Frederic having picture taken with David Backes. Good chance the two are on the same line tomorrow when Frederic makes his #NHL debut with the #NHLBruins. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/PBduADuo4Q
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) 29. januára 2019
Last Friday, Frederic scored two goals and added one assist in a 5-3 win over the Charlotte Checkers for Providence. It seems like Frederic is big, dominant, strong, tough and skilled enough to skate confidently on the ice –– but only time will tell on that. In spite of his slow start to the season, Frederic has been quite outstanding throughout his last 15 games.
Frederic also has a willingness to go to the net, get dirty, hit and fight. Whether he would hesitate to fight or not, “It’s not what I’m trying to be, just a drop-the-gloves guy. But yeah, I’m willing to do it. It’s fun, too. It’s a good time,” said Trent Frederic to Boston Sports Journal on Monday afternoon following his first practice in the NHL.
Seizing his opportunity and giving his all, that’s the kind of approach Frederic is going to have during his time with the Bruins. Less than two weeks from now, Frederic will celebrate his 21st birthday. Only time will show whether he could call himself a player who scored in the NHL around that time.
On the other hand, the Bruins pretty much exhausted all of their tryouts on the third-line center position. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy tried seemingly everyone there. Whether it be Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Colby Cave, Sean Kuraly, Noel Acciari, David Backes, Ryan Donato or Danton Heinen –– nothing appeared to work the right way. Frederic could quite possibly be a huge contributor to that position moving forward. Nevertheless, it is quite unsure if he is the right man for the job as it stands now.
