Moore looking forward to bringing leadership, versatility to Bruins

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BRIGHTON -- Dominic Moore has continued to live in the Boston area during the summer after playing collegiately at Harvard University, but he had never come close to playing for the Bruins in his 10-year NHL career.

That will all happily change for the 36-year-old former Crimson standout after signing a one year deal with the B’s a week ago, and showing up for work on Tuesday at captain’s practice at the new Warrior Ice Arena facility.

“It’s great…I’m obviously very familiar with this area,” said Moore with a laugh. “I’ve lived here a lot over the years, so I’m psyched to be a part of this group. You’re in and out of discussions with teams about the right fit, and I had a lot of good discussions with Donnie [Sweeney]. I’m glad it worked out, and I’m super-excited to be a part of the Bruins.

“It’s a dream come true in a lot of ways to be in Boston and to play for the B’s. I’m really excited to get going. It’s starting to [sink in]. It hadn’t really when I signed, but being here today it’s starting to [sink in] a little bit more. It’s getting there.”

Moore was joined by Riley Nash, Anton Khudobin and Kevan Miller along with some younger players as the new faces this week, and they joined with David Krejci, Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid and John-Michael Liles to an ever-growing group of players getting revved up for Bruins training camp.

The Moore signing was a bit of a surprise given that he’s a natural center perfect for the fourth line, and the Bruins have several of those candidates already in players like Noel Acciari and Riley Nash among others. But the former Rangers, Lightning, Sharks, Panthers, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Wild and Penguins forward said his versatility will be part of his strength in Boston, and that should mean playing more than one forward position as he did manning left wing for the Blueshirts at times last season.

“I think it’s one of my strengths that I’m versatile in [playing wing and center]. I’m prepared for any of the different scenarios and situations. I enjoy playing that kind of role. At this point in my career hopefully I bring some leadership, and lead-by-example as well,” said Moore, who had six goals and 15 points in 80 games for the Rangers last season as something of a face-off winner/penalty kill specialist. “I’ve been around long enough to know the mentality of Boston, and Boston sports. I really have a lot of respect and pride in that mentality, so to be a part of that culture is going to be a lot of fun.”

It remains to be seen exactly what role Moore is going to fill for the Bruins this season, but it feels like he’s going to be a natural fit with a coach like Claude Julien that values veteran smarts, smart systems play and the kind of hustle that Moore has made a career out of exhibiting for the nine other NHL teams he’s played for over the last decade. 

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