- Matt Barry
- November 15, 2022
- Atlantic DivisionBoston BruinsEastern ConferenceMinor LeaguesNHL
- AHL
- Luke Toporowski
- Providence Bruins
There aren’t many hockey players from Bettendorf, Iowa. It is not exactly a hotbed for hockey. Luke Toporowski is a native of Bettendorf, the son of a minor league hockey player who loved a good fight. As a sixteen-year-old, Toporowski joined the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League as a forward with more offensive ability than his dad. By the third season with the club, Toporowski was an offensive force, scoring 29 goals in 2019-20. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound winger, would surely be drafted by a National Hockey League team.
Unfortunately, the call didn’t come on draft night, and Toporowski remained unsigned. After a split season with Spokane and Kamloops in 2021-22, where he totaled a combined 65 points in 49 games, the Boston Bruins called and offered a two-year American Hockey League deal to play with the Providence Bruins. Toporowski’s offensive ability and gritty style during a training camp invite was impressive. Those qualities have translated into a good start to the AHL season for the surging Baby Bruins.
Providence is 10-1-1-1 and at the top of the American Hockey League standings. The team’s hot start is primarily due to a deep forward group led by first-round pick Fabian Lysell, 27-year-old Vinny Lettieri, former Ohio State signee Georgii Merkulov, and the 21-year-old Toporowski, who has totaled five goals and five assists in 12 games. The left wing has progressed enough to be considered a legitimate NHL prospect. The Bruins have been rebuilding a weak prospect pool and might consider Toporowski for an entry-level contract if the production continues.
The question mark for Toporowski has always been a lack of size and whether that will hamper any chance of being a regular NHL player. But the young winger makes up for that size deficiency with a good motor and a hard-working style of play. Toporowski is showing the Bruins that he can be a viable candidate to be a part of Boston’s future. This would be a pleasant surprise for Boston, which will need to replace some aging veterans in the coming years.
The Bruins seem to have found themselves a good prospect who has remained under the radar for the past few years. Boston has had some success with undrafted free agents in recent years, and Luke Toporowski could be the next good get for the Boston Bruins and the first-ever NHL player from Bettendorf, Iowa, and the fifth from the state of Iowa.
The Benders go through who they would want in free agency or trade for the Bruins. Jay Leach is back and so is Kathryn Tappen! Celtics win, now it’s the Bruins turn. Let’s get back into the first round of the NHL Draft. Plus much more!DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts!Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings.To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook! Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook.If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven.21+.Physically present in MA.Eligibility restrictions apply.Subject to regulatory licensing requirements. Eligibility and deposit restrictions apply.Opt in required.Bonus issued as free bets.Terms at draftkings.com/MA.
Matt Barry
Leave a Reply
2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Miguel Marques
- Dylan Robillard
- June 18, 2024
The Scouting Report: Miguel Marques, 18, out of Prince George, British Columbia, is a versatile right-shot forward, listed just under 6-foot-0 and clocks in 172 pounds. The Lethbridge Hurricanes’ product exudes confidence, he led the club in scoring during his draft year, putting up 28 goals and 46 assists for 74 points in 66 games, […]
Read More
BREAKING: The Carolina Hurricanes Promote Eric Tulsky to General Manager
- Kat Whetstone
- June 18, 2024
RALEIGH, North Carolina: After weeks of speculation, the Carolina Hurricanes have officially announced that the organization’s new permanent general manager is Eric Tulsky Here’s what’s next for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Read More
IIHF Male Player of the Year: Roman Cervenka, Team Czechia
- Karen Zehner
- June 18, 2024
Czechia’s captain, Roman Cervenka, was awarded the title of IIHF Male Player of the Year for 2024 after narrowly beating Swiss defender Roman Josi in a vote carried out by over 100 media representatives from the top 22 nations participating in the Men’s World Championship program. Cervenka secured 31.3 percent of the vote, just slightly […]
Read More
