Harrison is pushing to break camp with the Bruins after establishing himself as a pro

BRIGHTON, Mass. — Among the top prospects who participated in 1-on-1 workouts at the Boston Bruins’ development camp last month, Brett Harrison and Matthew Poitras took the field. Of course.

As the other pairs spread out on the ice at the Warrior Ice Arena, the two competed at the top of the center ice Spoked-B logo. Last year, Poitras showed up during training camp and earned a roster spot. This season, Harrison is looking to do the same.

“‘Potsy,’ he showed them last year,” said Harrison, who was selected by Boston in the third round (No. 85) of the 2021 NHL Draft. “It was difficult for them to return him to the minors, that’s what I will try to do.”

If Harrison doesn’t make the Bruins’ opening night roster, the 21-year-old will return to Providence of the American Hockey League, where he had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 47 games last season.

Harrison and Poitras, 20, have known each other since their days in the Ontario Hockey League.

Harrison played 2 1/2 seasons with Oshawa, just a few towns from where Poitras grew up in Ajax, Ontario. After Oshawa and Guelph, Poitras’ team, each lost in the 2022 OHL Eastern Quarterfinals, they spent a month training together in Providence, in the process forming lifelong friendships.

Poitras said Harrison has one of the best shots he’s ever seen. Based on his experience last year, he said he would advise him to play with confidence and not try to change his game.

“I tried to take everything day by day,” Poitras said. “Honestly I didn’t have a lot of expectations, but I just tried to show my best every day and come prepared and do all the right things. … I would have told him the same thing.”

Since Poitras was dominant as an NHL rookie (15 points; five goals, 10 assists in 33 games) before a season-ending shoulder injury on Feb. 7, Harrison worked to establish himself in the AHL. He had a goal and two assists in Providence’s 6-0 win in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals against Hartford on May 3, his first professional playoff game.

The Bruins believe Harrison is just scratching the surface of his offensive potential.

“He’s going to get more exposure this year in areas where he knows he needs to improve,” said player development coordinator Adam McQuaid. “So he’s in a good spot, and I think he’s looking to attack a little bit more this season in Providence. Maybe push to stand up and make some plays. [in Boston].”

Harrison is focused on gaining weight and improving his skiing. Even if he doesn’t make the NHL draft in October, he hopes to put himself in a position to do so soon.

“I feel very comfortable, very confident,” he said. “I try to show that on the ice and try to let them know that my game can translate and it’s going to come out a lot stronger this year.”