Lukas Reichel Set for Boston Bruins Debut Lukas Reichel, a former first-round draft pick and Olympic athlete, will make his debut with the Boston Bruins on Thursday. The 24-year-old forward, who previously struggled to establish himself with the Chicago Blackhawks, was traded to the Vancouver Canucks earlier this season before being moved to the Bruins at the NHL trade deadline. Despite being assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) earlier in the week, Reichel was recalled on an emergency basis on Wednesday and is set to play in his first game with the Bruins when Boston hosts the Winnipeg Jets. Reichel expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “It feels good. I think the boys seem really nice. Can’t wait to get to know them a little bit more. Everyone met today. I’m really excited for the game and just can’t wait to get going. … Just use my speed and don’t be afraid to try something out there. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. For me, it’s just all about being good mentally, playing with energy, play to win. Play good defensively, too.” The Bruins plan to place Reichel on their third line, pairing him with Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie, while Mikey Eyssimont will sit out. Head coach Marco Sturm emphasized the importance of Reichel playing naturally, stating, “Just kind of be himself. I don’t want him to be a hero tonight. I don’t want him to be any different. He’s here for a reason, because he will give us, hopefully, a little bit of speed and skill.” Sturm added that Reichel’s performance in the AHL, where he played several strong games, justified the recall. “He played some really good games in Providence. I like that. I think that’s where we’re always looking at calling guys up – they have to earn it.#lukas_reichel #vancouver_canucks #boston_bruins #chicago_blackhawks #mike_eyssimont
