Brett Ritchie and Par Lindholm probably aren't names you've heard before, but they're ready to make a splash for the Boston Bruins this coming season.
Both Ritchie and Lindholm were able to meet their new teammates this week as they joined the Bruins for the team's annual charity golf tournament at The International. Among other things, the pair noted they're excited for a new opportunity in a city where hockey is idolized.
"It's a team that you look at and say, 'Wow, that would be cool to play with them,'" Ritchie told BostonBruins.com's Eric Russo. "I think it was an easy decision for me."
Although the league is moving towards a faster, more skilled game, the 26-year-old noted that a physical presence is still needed to succeed in the NHL. With the departure of tough-guy Noel Acciari to the Flordia Panthers, Ritchie's physical presence will be relied on more heavily in the coming months.
While Ritchie is a big-bodied physical player, Lindholm stressed that his defensive game is what sets him apart from other players when describing his on-ice presence. If you know the Bruins, you know that they heavily rely on their forwards to contribute to the defensive side of the game as much as they produce offensively.
"Solid, especially defensively," said Lindholm. "I think I have a lot of offense in me too. I haven't shown that the last year, but I think it's there and hopefully I make things happen this year."
Boston Bruins
Like fellow newbie Ritchie, Lindholm is also excited for a fresh start with an original six franchise.
"A winning team, a team that went to the Finals last year. It's a good team," said Lindholm. "A lot of players who have been around for a long time and know what they need to do to make things happen. I'm excited to be on this team."
Lindholm spent last season (his first full NHL season) split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Wininpeg Jets, where he notched 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) through 65 games. Ritchie spent the past five seasons with the Dallas Stars organization, where he tallied 54 points (33 goals, 21 assists) in 241 games played. Both were acquired by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney the day NHL free agency opened on July 1.
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