LYNNFIELD — It’s nearly every kid’s dream to sign a professional contract with the team they grew up idolizing. For Lynnfield’s Matt Filipe, that dream became a reality this week when he signed a two-year entry level contract with his hometown Boston Bruins.
“I’m really excited, this has been a dream of mine for a long time,” said Filipe. “I just wanted to have the best opportunity to make an NHL roster, and the Bruins made it clear to me that I’d be able to compete for a position right away. It’s just a bonus that the team who offered the best opportunity also happened to be my hometown team.”
Filipe was originally a third-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Draft — taken 67th overall — but he became a free agent when he did not sign with the team before Aug. 15.
Filipe, who just wrapped up his collegiate career at Northeastern University, signed his deal with the Bruins late Sunday evening at home in Lynnfield.
“I became a free agent at 5 p.m. (on Aug. 15) and a few teams contacted my agent to make offers,” said Filipe. “I didn’t sleep much that night knowing that there were some important decisions that had to be made, but in the end I just felt that the Bruins offered me the best opportunity.”
Filipe’s collegiate career at Northeastern was a successful one, as he totaled 31 goals and 44 assists in 136 games with the Huskies and was an assistant captain as a senior last season. The Huskies won three consecutive Beanpot Championships in his time there, most recently taking home the 2020 title back in February.
“It was a great four years at Northeastern, and (head) coach (Jim) Madigan and (associate head) coach (Jerry) Keefe really turned the program around over the time I was there,” said Filipe. “They established a winning culture there that’s here to stay, and now Northeastern hockey is known on a national level.
“It was really special to be a part of those three Beanpot championship teams,” Filipe added. “Being able to share it with a lot of other guys from Massachusetts just like me was a great feeling.”
But Filipe’s winning history goes back even before that, back when he won two straight state championships (2013, 2014) as a member of the Malden Catholic hockey team.
He hopes that winning streak will continue into his professional career.
“I’ve had success at a lot of levels, and I think it just starts with the coaches and the higher-ups and just works its way down to the rest of the team,” said Filipe. “I had success at Malden Catholic and Northeastern, and I hope to have success with the Bruins as well.”
Filipe also takes inspiration from other Massachusetts natives who made it to the Bruins — Charlie Coyle, Chris Wagner and Matt Grzelcyk.
“I actually got a text from Charlie Coyle on Monday, which was really cool,” said Filipe. “It’s great to see other Massachusetts guys on the Bruins, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to become an important part of the team, just like those guys.”
As for Filipe’s plans now, he’s been working out at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Woburn — which trains a number of professional athletes in various sports — since June 1 and lately has been able to get out on the ice twice a week. As he continues to ramp up his workload in anticipation of training camp next season, he’s just focusing on getting better.
“I think the key is just staying fresh, staying prepared and just continuing to get better,” said Filipe. “This is a new situation for everyone, so I’m just trying to stay positive and keep working hard every day.”
