The Bruins announced they’ve signed forward prospect Dans Locmelis to his entry-level deal. PuckPedia reports the three-year agreement, which starts next season, will pay him a $775K NHL salary, an $85K signing bonus, and an $82.5K minors salary each year for a cap hit of $860K.
Locmelis, 21, turns pro after Boston selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The 6’1″ center has spent the last two seasons in the area at UMass, where he totaled 15-32–47 in 70 games with a +23 rating. Twenty-five of those assists and 33 of those points came this season, ranking second on the team in the former category.
The Latvia native has had success for his country on the international stage, captaining their 2024 World Juniors team and posting five points in five games. He’s also suited up with the senior national team at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, combining for 2-1–3 in 14 games and helped the country win its first bronze medal in Worlds history two years ago.
That résumé suggests more upside than what some public scouts have said to expect out of him. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic had Locmelis outside of his top 15 prospects in Boston’s nearly league-worst pool in January, although he did check in at No. 13 in the system in McKeen’s Hockey’s preseason rankings. His offensive breakout at UMass this year was a necessary step toward keeping his development on track toward having NHL upside, something Boston’s decided to reward with a contract and presumably a full-time role with AHL Providence next year. He’ll finish this year with Providence on a tryout.
Locmelis will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2028. The B’s now have 23 contracts signed for next season.
Congratulations!
They will keep him in providence for years -could someone buy the bruins -the Jacobs ownership is a joke especially with the Nesn cheerleading announcers ,afraid to criticize ineptness
What ever happened to the Jack Edwards glory days?