LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield native Matt Filipe re-signed with the Bruins this summer and will look to continue his journey to be called up to the NHL roster from Providence this upcoming season.
“I could not be more excited to be back with the Bruins for another year. I learned a lot my first full year, and I am excited to hopefully make the push next year and do what I know I can do down in Providence to help the team win and earn a call-up in Boston,” said Filipe.
Filipe, who was initially drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes back in 2016 and first signed with the Bruins in 2020, said he got his real first taste of professional hockey this past season.
In his first year as a pro, the season was marred by COVID changes where he only played against two teams during the season, and games were played at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough.
“Two years ago, technically my first year pro, it did not even really feel like pro to me, to be honest, because I grew up playing youth hockey in that rink, and we were only able to play two teams because of COVID,” said Filipe.
However, that changed this year in what Filipe described as an excellent learning experience about the professional game and lifestyle.
“This year was great for me to experience the whole professional lifestyle and get a full year of games against different teams and the travel and everything. Just adjusting to the professional game, so it was really good, I thought,” said Filipe.
While Filipe is living out a dream of playing at the pro level with his hometown team, he recognizes that there is a reason why he is in this position.
“I always had faith in myself — coming up through high school, college, and obviously getting drafted, I always knew what I was capable of. I put the work in my whole life. I do kind of pinch myself, obviously, when I first signed. I mean, it was the best day of my life when I signed with the Bruins,” said Filipe.
“You are kind of star-struck for a minute, maybe then you show up to training camp, and you have to remember you are there for a reason.… When I first signed, I understood how cool it was and everything but you kind of have to put that behind you if you want to succeed and you want to get to the next level.”
To get to the next level in what has been an unbelievable journey for Filipe, he says he has to play to his strengths.
“My speed and size are probably my best assets, and I think just keeping those on display and being a good forechecker, killing penalties, being a reliable forward and chipping in offensively when I need to and that type of stuff and being a leader and a guy who will be there for my teammates. Just that sort of stuff — that I know that is how I can get to the next level,” said Filipe.
The Bruins have notoriously brought in talent from around Massachusetts, take Weymouth’s Charlie Coyle, for example, and Filipe will look to become the next hometown kid to play for the Bruins at TD Garden.
“When Boston called and everything, I was just so excited that the opportunity would be with them. Obviously, the dream is to play in the NHL — that is the ultimate dream and to potentially do it with your hometown team like the Bruins is just so cool,” said Filipe.
“There are a lot of other local guys who have had that opportunity, and I hope to be the next one to get a chance to play with the Bruins in Boston and really live out the dream.”
