There’s little doubt to the skill, skating and puck-moving capabilities that Braden Doyle brings to the table.
The Lawrence Academy senior defenseman has proven time and time again that he can start the offense from the back end. His ability to sidestep oncoming forecheckers, rush the puck up ice and give quality lead passes on the breakout are staples of his game.
“I’m an offensive defenseman. I like to look for the quick passes. I have good vision. I like to join the rush and use my skill to help my team offensively,” said Doyle, who is from Lynnfield, Mass.
His puck possession skills are the reason he earned a roster spot for the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and landed on the initial NHL Central Scouting Watch List for 2019 NHL Draft prospects. The list means very little in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a nice bit of recognition for individual players. It also means that NHL team scouts will be watching his games closely this fall and winter.
“I just have to go out there and give it my all. I just try to take into consideration all the advice I’ve been given from my coaches over the years,” said Doyle, when asked about the added pressure of playing under the watchful eye of NHL scouts.
Doyle is no stranger to playing under bright lights. Before lacing up the skates for Lawrence the past two seasons, he played his freshman year at Shattuck St. Mary’s, the prestigious prep school in Faribault, Minn., that counts Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Nathan McKinnon among its list of former players now shining on the game’s biggest stage.
In other words, Doyle has been preparing for the possibility of being drafted into the NHL for quite some time. One of the questions all NHL scouts and team personnel ask prospects is what NHL player they like to emulate. In Doyle’s case, it’s budding Boston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy and Ottawa Senators superstar Erik Karlsson.
“Karlsson has that offensive flash and I love his passes and vision. He’s a beautiful skater. That’s what I admire most about him,” said Doyle, who has grown up a Bruins fan, living just under 30 minutes away from TD Garden.
After competing in USA Hockey’s Select 17 Player Development Camp earlier this summer, Doyle has spent the rest of the offseason training and working on areas of his game that he believes need improvement.
“This summer my main thing I’ve been trying to work on has been my weight and strength. I’ve been taking that a lot more seriously this summer,” Doyle said. “I’ve been with my skating coach, Peter Russo, working on my skills and skating, doing battle drills in the corner. I never want to be knocked off the puck. I’m trying to get my strength up for my shot and taking the body.”
In addition to bulking up, most NHL scouts agree that the key to Doyle taking the step to the next level will be his ability to defend better and limit turnovers. As is the case with most young puck-moving defensemen, coaches have to take the risk with the reward. Doyle likes to be flashy and make the highlight-reel play, which sometimes results in turnovers.
All of this hard work comes after one of the most exhilarating seasons of Doyle’s young career. His prep team, Lawrence Academy, won the NEPSAC small-school tournament in March. Doyle had five goals and 19 assists in 31 games played for the Spartans.
“That was amazing, the ups and downs of the ride through the season,” Doyle said. “It was fun to be a part of a championship team. It motivates us to up that for next season.”
Doyle will spend his draft year at Lawrence before playing the 2019-20 season with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. After that he’ll matriculate to Boston University to start his collegiate career.
“BU was my dream school. I was lucky to get a commit there early in my high school career. I’m excited to represent BU on the ice and to play with all of the kids that I know from growing up,” said Doyle, who lists fellow Terrier recruits Robert Mastrosimone, Cade Webber, Trevor Zegras and Liam Connors among some of his closest friends in hockey.
