Opportunity Knocks For Seth Griffith

When you’re part of a deep NHL organization like the Boston Bruins, opportunity often doesn’t come knocking right away for young players.

For Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith however, opportunity is knocking this season, as the 21-year-old forward has been seeing time with the Bruins’ second line of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, while Reilly Smith remains out of camp due to a contract dispute.

“It’s pretty surreal, playing with those two guys,” Griffith said in a Boston Bruins news release of the opportunity to play with well established NHLers such as Marchand, and two-time Canadian Olympic gold medalist Bergeron.

“They can make plays, and that’s the kind of stuff I like to do as well, so playing with them is pretty surreal and hopefully I can just make some plays with them.”

Griffith, known for his hands and quick release, had a strong rookie pro season last year with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, scoring 20 goals and adding 30 assists. This year, he got stronger as the NHL Rookie Tournament went on, and has carried that over into the Bruins’ main camp.

A darling of the Boston media in recent days, Griffith has earned praise from Bruins players and management, but it’s still early, and he has work to do to make the opening night roster.

“He makes good plays. He makes smart play. He doesn’t have to hang onto the puck a lot,” said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli in following the Bruins Black and Gold scrimmage on Sunday. “It’s three days in and I thought he’s acquitted himself well tonight.”

Griffith will now have to prove he can continue to impress night in and night out, beginning this week as the Boston Bruins face the Montreal Canadiens (September 23), Washington Capitals (September 24 & 26), and Detroit Red Wings (September 27) this week in NHL preseason action.