C Dean Letourneau - St. Andrew's College, CAHS (2024, 25th, BOS)

[Saxon Eric]

Floor of acceptability: 15
Median expected outcome: 20
Ceiling of what’s possible: 25

I'd take 15-20 and hype myself up for his Sophomore year

 

[Wieters]

In the post-draft interview, Don Sweeney acknowledged that it will be a big jump for Letourneau to go to the NCAA. But he said that BC had laid out a plan for his development in terms of his reps that had been clearly mapped out. So even if the idea of a kid making this kind of jump might be concerning for his development in the abstract, I don't think that fear is necessary given the program he's actually going to.

Ideally he Centers the 2 other Bruins picks in Jellvik and Gasseau but realistically he's on the 3rd or 4th line to start, I can see massive growing pains and possibly 8-10 points
However he remains extremely intriguing

Three Bruins draftees on the same line at a Boston school is a cool thought, although I agree it's unrealistic. Even though Teddy Stiga is actually younger than Letourneau, he has significantly more high-level experience and production to speak of at the NTDP, so I imagine he is more ready for top-six minutes at a program that is trying to win trophies.

So for the second line, I would think one of Oskar Jellvik/Andre Gasseau moves to center with Stiga and the other of Jellvik/Gasseau on the wings. My guess is that Letourneau starting on the third line is the type of development plan that Sweeney was referring to.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

He has an older brother, Jace, who's going to another NCAA team, but a lesser program. Boston might have the inside track to sign him, assuming he's somewhat decent in the NCAA and he's also a big boi at 6'5

 

[bigmacbc]

In the post-draft interview, Don Sweeney acknowledged that it will be a big jump for Letourneau to go to the NCAA. But he said that BC had laid out a plan for his development in terms of his reps that had been clearly mapped out. So even if the idea of a kid making this kind of jump might be concerning for his development in the abstract, I don't think that fear is necessary given the program he's actually going to.


Three Bruins draftees on the same line at a Boston school is a cool thought, although I agree it's unrealistic. Even though Teddy Stiga is actually younger than Letourneau, he has significantly more high-level experience and production to speak of at the NTDP, so I imagine he is more ready for top-six minutes at a program that is trying to win trophies.

So for the second line, I would think one of Oskar Jellvik/Andre Gasseau moves to center with Stiga and the other of Jellvik/Gasseau on the wings. My guess is that Letourneau starting on the third line is the type of development plan that Sweeney was referring to.

Wouldn't be amazed if they move Leonard to center either- he can take faceoffs and some people around the program think he has some upside at that position. Either way, I think LeTourneau will be able to dominate most Hockey East 3rd liners, which will make him way more productive than people think.

As a Bruins and BC fan, I'm pretty happy with him going to the Eags, who are really, really good at fostering and showcasing elite talent. I think that LeTourneau will be put in a position to succeed in a program that will compete for a national championship- that's invaluable experience.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Wouldn't be amazed if they move Leonard to center either- he can take faceoffs and some people around the program think he has some upside at that position. Either way, I think LeTourneau will be able to dominate most Hockey East 3rd liners, which will make him way more productive than people think.

As a Bruins and BC fan, I'm pretty happy with him going to the Eags, who are really, really good at fostering and showcasing elite talent. I think that LeTourneau will be put in a position to succeed in a program that will compete for a national championship- that's invaluable experience.

Do you think he could have Kolanos type impact off the bat for Boston College, or will it take a bit longer?

 

[bigmacbc]

Do you think he could have Kolanos type impact off the bat for Boston College, or will it take a bit longer?

that's a little rich for my blood, but I think 25 pts would be a very good season, followed by a role as second/first line center next year in front of WIlliam Moore

 

[Antiillafire]

What’s up with the production early on? Just 1 assist in 5 games

 

[lanky]

What’s up with the production early on? Just 1 assist in 5 games

His first 5 games at a much higher level.
Chill.

I'm sorry I can't offer any more insight beyond that.

 

[I am Bettman]

What’s up with the production early on? Just 1 assist in 5 games

This is not an unexpected pace. 10-15 points would be acceptable with the jump he’s made.

 

[Wieters]

In addition to the big jump others are mentioning, Dean is playing on the third line and isn't on the power play, so there aren't necessarily as many chances for him as there are for the other guys on BC. He hasn't done anything wrong, there is just an embarrassment of riches on the team and there has to be an odd man out. He was also hurt badly enough in a game against the NTDP that he had to miss a couple of games. He looks as advertised: aircraft carrier sized, surprisingly skilled for his size, and raw.

 

[Topcheese31]

Watch is game and I was kind of surprise actually. He struggle a lot for his faceoff % the first 3 game but overall he look better and better each games. Big body, really good speed for his size, skill above average.

It’s a year of adaptation for him, he’s still fun to watch.

 

[bigmacbc]

Watch is game and I was kind of surprise actually. He struggle a lot for his faceoff % the first 3 game but overall he look better and better each games. Big body, really good speed for his size, skill above average.

It’s a year of adaptation for him, he’s still fun to watch.

he's rapidly reaching NCAA speed and when he does, he's gonna look a lot better.

 

[sigx15]

I was at Sunday's game and have watched all of their games so far. I can see flashes of his talent just ready to come out but he's just going to need time. It's such a massive jump in pace for him, it's just getting his brain to catch up. He can skate with everyone and has the skill, you can just tell he's still thinking out there. He's not being incredibly assertive yet but you can see him getting a bit more comfortable each game. He's still getting knocked off the puck a decent amount but that's to be expected, his body is still catching up. I wouldn't worry about him at all though, you catch flashes of his skill every game whether it's with simple passes or reads he makes, it's just going to take a little bit of time. I'll never forget this sub losing their absolute shit about Boldy's slow start his freshman year, I don't think he scored for his first like 10 games or something

He is getting 2nd PP time btw but both of their powerplays are absolutely trash right now. They also still haven't fully figured out the line combinations yet. Leonard may be out a few games too so that'll throw another wrench into their lines. He's mostly been playing with Vote and Sondreal though

 

[Topcheese31]

I was at Sunday's game and have watched all of their games so far. I can see flashes of his talent just ready to come out but he's just going to need time. It's such a massive jump in pace for him, it's just getting his brain to catch up. He can skate with everyone and has the skill, you can just tell he's still thinking out there. He's not being incredibly assertive yet but you can see him getting a bit more comfortable each game. He's still getting knocked off the puck a decent amount but that's to be expected, his body is still catching up. I wouldn't worry about him at all though, you catch flashes of his skill every game whether it's with simple passes or reads he makes, it's just going to take a little bit of time. I'll never forget this sub losing their absolute shit about Boldy's slow start his freshman year, I don't think he scored for his first like 10 games or something

He is getting 2nd PP time btw but both of their powerplays are absolutely trash right now. They also still haven't fully figured out the line combinations yet. Leonard may be out a few games too so that'll throw another wrench into their lines. He's mostly been playing with Vote and Sondreal though

Agreed, He will be a long project, but an interested one. My main concerned before the season was if he would be able to follow the pace.

The NCAA path was not a bad decision after all. At the beginning of the season I was hoping he start in the USHL

 

[Hockeyville USA]

How does he look for BC?

 

[BronxBruin]

How does he look for BC?

About as expected. He hasn't produced much on the scoresheet (though he's had several near misses) but he hasn't looked in over his head either...which is about all that one could realistically ask for considering the huge jump in competition he made. He's not getting much ice time on a stacked BC team but he's shown occasional glimpses of the skill that made him a first round pick. We probably won't have a true read on his trajectory until next season when many of BC's top forwards likely turn pro.

 

[wetcoast]

About as expected. He hasn't produced much on the scoresheet (though he's had several near misses) but he hasn't looked in over his head either...which is about all that one could realistically ask for considering the huge jump in competition he made. He's not getting much ice time on a stacked BC team but he's shown occasional glimpses of the skill that made him a first round pick. We probably won't have a true read on his trajectory until next season when many of BC's top forwards likely turn pro.

That's fair but I also think that the Bruins reached here, especially when another big bodied albeit winger in Greentree was there.

 

[Wieters]

That's fair but I also think that the Bruins reached here, especially when another big bodied albeit winger in Greentree was there.

Most mocks had Letourneau in the first because of his upside if it works out. And when you're an organization like the Bruins that rarely picks high up in the draft because you are consistently in the mix for the playoffs, there's a case that you should be swinging for the fences even if that type of profile is riskier.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I think he probably should have played a full year of Junior before going to College. He's a long-term project, don't think he necessarily needed to be playing at BC at 18.

 

[PensFan101]

I think he probably should have played a full year of Junior before going to College. He's a long-term project, don't think he necessarily needed to be playing at BC at 18.

Especially with the recent rule change, while it's easier said than done to just jump from college to junior and then back again next season (logistically speaking), Owen Sound who owns his CHL rights would be able to give him all of the ice time in the world at the moment and he'd likely be the #1 centre from day one.

I think kids like Letourneau will use that kind of CHL -> NCAA stepping stone a lot more in years to come and he's a textbook example of the type of player who really will benefit from the rule change. Too bad it happened in a critical year for him, but players like him in the future will benefit a lot.

 

[BondraTime]

Another in a long line of guys drafted too high for their size and perceived upside due to that size.

 

[wetcoast]

Most mocks had Letourneau in the first because of his upside if it works out. And when you're an organization like the Bruins that rarely picks high up in the draft because you are consistently in the mix for the playoffs, there's a case that you should be swinging for the fences even if that type of profile is riskier.

The thing is that he isn't a swing for the fences type of pick as he may become a useful 3rd line center and it's doubtful that he has the overall package to become a top 6 center.

 

[bigdog16]

I think he probably should have played a full year of Junior before going to College. He's a long-term project, don't think he necessarily needed to be playing at BC at 18.

Agreed. Even prior to the CHL/NCAA change there was no reason he shouldn't have spent a year in the USHL.

Especially with the recent rule change, while it's easier said than done to just jump from college to junior and then back again next season (logistically speaking), Owen Sound who owns his CHL rights would be able to give him all of the ice time in the world at the moment and he'd likely be the #1 centre from day one.

I think kids like Letourneau will use that kind of CHL -> NCAA stepping stone a lot more in years to come and he's a textbook example of the type of player who really will benefit from the rule change. Too bad it happened in a critical year for him, but players like him in the future will benefit a lot.

Agreed, its probably too late at this point but for his on ice development it makes way more sense to go to Owen Sound and get a ton of reps. Jump back to NCAA next season. Although, if he goes to CHL and struggles, it would be debilitating for his career

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The thing is that he isn't a swing for the fences type of pick as he may become a useful 3rd line center and it's doubtful that he has the overall package to become a top 6 center.

Disagree. Other than size and skating he doesn’t have close to bottom six characteristics. He’s a bet on athleticism and puck skills.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Disagree. Other than size and skating he doesn’t have close to bottom six characteristics. He’s a bet on athleticism and puck skills.

He's definitely a bet on athletic tools and puck skills, but I've also seen him finish some big glass shaking checks. I feel like there's a huge range of outcomes with this player as of now