MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — In exactly a week, Zack Bolduc will be in the mix along with a plethora of forwards trying to throw a wrinkle into the lines for the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25.
But in the meantime, Bolduc will be a leader by example for fellow prospects this weekend.
One step at a time.
The 21-year-old will wear the captain’s ‘C’ when the Blues host the 2024 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase Friday-Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild prospects at Centene Community Ice Center.
And rightfully so.
When you throw in the rosters of the Blues, Wild and Blackhawks, Bolduc has more NHL experience (25 games) than all the other players combined. The winger is a seasoned pro at this, and he, along with Zach Dean, Dalibor Dvorsky and Dylan Peterson will wear the letters while leading the Blues in games Friday at 7 p.m. against Chicago and Sunday at 3 p.m. against the Wild.
“I’m in my third camp now, third rookie tournament. I’m excited,” said Bolduc, the 17th pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. “I think we have a good group of guys, a lot of them were here before the camp. We all skate together a little bit before. I want to show an example, just try to win those two games. It’s always an honor to be the captain of a team.
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“At the end of the practice, coach came to the four of us and told us we were going to be the captains and assistants. It’s going to be a fun weekend here in St. Louis.”
Steve Konowalchuk, named coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League on May 20, will be guiding Blues prospects this weekend and said Bolduc, who had five goals and four assists in his NHL debut season last year, was a natural fit.
“For this tournament, he’s a veteran and he played games with St. Louis,” Konowalchuk said. “He should be able to lead the way and know the details and work ethic in a tournament like this along with some other guys.
“… There’s players out there and everybody should have that attitude that they can make the Blues, but there’s certainly some guys that are going to be out here in the next couple of games that have legit chances. It’s exciting.”
And Bolduc is one of them.
He’s added weight — Bolduc said he’s up to 195 pounds, or three pounds more than his playing weight last year — and he’s added some profound knowledge of what he needs to work on to better improve his game.
“A lot of puck protection. I think holding on the puck a bit more,” Bolduc said. “I think if you got the puck longer on your stick, you create offense. That was one big thing that I worked on. If you keep that puck in your hands, you’ve got to create some offense. That was my main focus for sure. You want to get stronger, a little bit heavier too. I think that was my main focus.”
Bolduc is most certainly a wild card when it comes to roster slots and should he make the team, where he fits.
The left-handed shot showed the ability to play anywhere in the lineup, as evidenced by his strong capabilities to play in the top six when given the chance. But Bolduc understands nothing is certain; he has to prove himself again.
“I had great moments here at the end of last season, but nothing is acquired,” Bolduc said. “I have to work for my spot. I showed that I can play with these guys. Now I have to redo it and show them what I can do again.
“I’m repeating myself, but I think nothing is acquired. I have to work for what I want. I want to show that I can skate with these guys, I can shoot, I can create offense and I can be good in the d-zone.”
It will be a tall task, however.
The Blues added to their mix when they acquired forwards Radek Faksa, Alexandre Texier and Mathieu Joseph to the mix, leaving spots short and few for skaters to fight for.
“When you see that competition everywhere in the lineup and in the room, it’s kind of stressful a little bit, but at the same time, you’re excited,” Bolduc said. ‘Right now, my focus is a bit more on those first two (prospect) games on Friday and Sunday. There’s a lot of guys. There’s like 14 forwards one way and nine or 10 D one way. There’s going to be good competition, but I think it’s good for the team, it’s good for the Blues.
“(But) I know that I can play with these guys. I know I can help the Blues to win games. I’ve just got to show it on the ice and bring my best assets on the ice.”
That’s why Bolduc is determined as anyone to make a lasting impression, starting this weekend.
“I learned a lot last year in the American League. I just want to play here,” Bolduc said. “I really don’t care if I’m in the second, third or fourth (line). I think I can help that team to win some games. I think with my speed and my shooting abilities, I think I can play on whatever line I’ll be on. I’m just ready to do whatever it takes to be in the lineup at the beginning of the season.”
Related: 5 Blues Players To Watch At The Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase This Weekend
Related: Blues, Blackhawks, Wild to play in Prospect Showcase, set for this weekend at Centene Community Ice Center
Related: St. Louis Blues will open training camp for 2024-25 season on Sept. 19
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