Coach From the NCAA Compared This Bruins Prospect to Cale Makar
Is Ohio State University defenseman Mason Lohrei deserving of the comparison to NHL star Cale Makar made by an opposing NCAA head coach?
Lohrei has had an impressive season with 32 points in 40 games, earning him a top spot in the Boston Bruins' prospect rankings after being drafted 58th overall in 2020.
High Praise From an Opposing Coach
As reported by Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal, Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold had glowing remarks after his team's 4-1 victory over Ohio State.
Coach Pecknold previously coached against Makar while he was at UMass Amherst, the current winner of both the Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy.
While the comparison may not be exact, Pecknold did highlight that Lohrei requires a similar defensive approach, which is a notable point. Additionally, Lohrei's statistics during his freshman season are comparable to those of Makar, and Adam Fox.
Freshman NCAA seasons:
Makar - 34GP, 5G, 16A
Fox - 35GP, 6G, 34A
Lohrei - 31GP, 4G, 25A
This comparison also speaks to Lohrei's growth since being drafted in 2020, as he has reportedly modeled his game after some of the top defensemen in the game.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old's performance on the ice speaks for itself, particularly his skill in exiting the defensive zone, as demonstrated in the following video.
Lohrei's season concluded with the loss to Quinnipiac, and many experts believe that he is ready to make the transition to professional hockey. Matt Porter of the Boston Globe reported that a decision from Lohrei is expected to be announced soon.
There are rumors that if Lohrei decides to sign his entry-level contract, he may be immediately promoted to the Boston Bruins for the remaining nine games of the season.
It is common for NCAA players who have completed their college careers to get their first NHL experience during the playoffs. This has been the case for Makar and Charlie McAvoy, who made his debut with the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2017 playoffs against the Ottawa Senators.
In the near future, both Lohrei and the Boston Bruins will have crucial decisions to make.
For a glimpse of Lohrei's top performances in recent seasons, check out the following highlights:
As read on Bruins Insider - NCAA Coach Compares Bruins Prospect to Makar
| POLL | ||
28 MARS | 108 ANSWERS Coach From the NCAA Compared This Bruins Prospect to Cale Makar Where would be best for Mason Lohrei's development? | ||
| NCAA | 13 | 12 % |
| AHL | 71 | 65.7 % |
| NHL Playoffs | 24 | 22.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
