Jack Studnicka hoping for a shot to crack Bruins roster if 2019-20 season resumes: 'I'm going to be ready'

He might not have logged a single minute of ice time during the Bruins' run to the Stanley Cup Final last spring, but Jack Studnicka was there every step of the way — serving as a "Black Ace" for a franchise gearing itself for his eventual ascension into the NHL ranks.

In his role, Studnicka and a slew of other Providence call-ups served as added insurance for Boston, taking part in regular practices with the usual suspects on Bruce Cassidy's roster and competing in intrasquad scrimmages. The regular reps at Warrior Ice Arena might not have been flashy, but they were instrumental to a young pivot like Studnicka — who had only logged nine games of pro hockey up to that point in his promising career.

"To see that type of competition firsthand and live was unbelievable. ... I think it was a confidence booster for sure, to be able to be a part of that," Studnicka said Tuesday during a virtual town hall. "I think the organization and the team did a very good job at making us feel like we were a part of it and to stay ready. Another thing, I think I got a lot better as a hockey player, because we were skating every day. And we were able to, with the group we had, pick on certain things we needed to get better at, just because we had that time and that luxury. So I think, you know, skating every day with a good group of hockey players and then at night, watching NHL playoffs, definitely, I think was a confidence booster, like you said, but I think also, in terms of development, I think I was able to get better during that experience."

If his following campaign down in Providence was a byproduct of those practices, can you imagine what the dynamic forward could do with a few playoff games under his belt?

Studnicka's stock in Boston's prospect pipeline has soared since inking his entry-level contract in April 2018, with the B's second-round pick (53rd overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft ranking third among all AHL rookies this season with 49 points over 60 games.

Although COVID-19 ended Providence's season prematurely, Studnicka is holding out hope that a resumption of the 2019-20 NHL campaign would signal another call-up to Boston for a Cup run — one that could hold much more opportunity than serving as an extra body during morning skates.



While it remains to be seen what the NHL will look like if games resume in the coming months, it seems like a given that all playoff clubs will benefit from either an outright roster expansion or the expected influx of "Black Aces" to round out their group ahead of what should be an unorthodox (albeit still grueling) playoff slate.

While he hasn't heard much of anything that's set in stone about his chances of cracking Boston's roster in the coming months, Studnicka believes the body of work he put forward down in Providence speaks for itself when it comes to earning a shot up with the big club.

"I think I've had a good year down in Providence — where I've kind of proved that I'm able to contribute and help the organization," Studnicka said. "When and whether they decide that's as a Black Ace or playing? That's for them to decide. But I'm going to be ready, I feel ready and I'm just willing to do whatever they ask when the time comes."

Despite the development curve that most players go through when making the jump up from juniors or the NCAA ranks to pro hockey, Cassidy noted back in December that Studnicka was already "ahead of schedule" from the lens of Boston's top talent evaluators.

The Windsor, Ontario native did acknowledge that he still has much to work on, namely filling out his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame in order to take the punishment awaiting in the NHL. But a quick glance at the box scores tells you most of what you need to do know about how Studnicka handled himself in his first (semi)full AHL campaign.

Along with regularly logging top-six minutes and battling competition 5-10 years his elder on most nights, Studnicka made the most of his plus tools — using his quick hands and strong skating stride to frequently generate scoring chances out of what seemed like a simple zone exit seconds prior. Studnicka, in particular, found his calling on Providence's PK unit, where the rookie led all AHL skaters with seven shorthanded tallies on the year.

"Well — Study, really, for all intents and purposes, had a terrific year," Providence head coach Jay Leach said. "I mean, 20-year-old kid. Jumps right in, plays every real scenario down the stretch. I was really leaning on him and Cameron Hughes as the guys to seal some games out for us. His competitiveness, his speed, his hockey sense really shone through and he was able to be very productive on both sides of the puck and I think he had a terrific year."

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Even with the level of production put forward down in the AHL, it would still seem as though Studnicka is on the outside looking in at realistically leapfrogging a couple of other NHL regulars on Boston's depth chart this summer. The first hurdle, of course, would be to make the switch from pivot to wing, given that Cassidy few qualms about the established talent he has down the middle.

"Actually Leachy used me on wing a little bit throughout the year when I had to and I feel really comfortable there," Studnicka said of making such a switch. "I think I can contribute, whether I'm playing center or wing. Obviously my natural position is center and that's what I'd like to have a career in, but I'm definitely comfortable on the wing. I've played it numerous times in my career. ... I've learned kind of what it takes to be a winger and the differences in your job and what you're accountable for."

At the time of the pause, Boston's middle-six was far from set in stone. Even with David Krejci and Charlie Coyle penciled in at center, the likes of Jake DeBrusk, Ondrej Kase, Nick Ritchie, Anders Bjork, Karson Kuhlman and perhaps even Sean Kuraly are all still vying for defined roles on the wing.

Studnicka might be out-ranked by many on that list in terms of experience, but if we're talking about pure talent, few can provide the shot in the arm that the youngster might bring to a forward grouping in need of some consistent production outside of the 63-37-88 line.

While it was a small sample size, Studnicka did turn a few heads during his two games up in Boston earlier this season — especially when it came to his knack for generating high-quality chances down low. In Studnicka's 22:10 of 5v5 ice time with Boston, not only did the B's hold a 2-0 edge in goals scored — but they also generated a 9-1 advantage in high-danger scoring chances during that short stretch.

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He might be confident in his ability to contribute up in the NHL rank already, but Studnicka is looking to stay even-keel as he waits to see if a resumption of play is even a tangible possibility.

All year, Providence's coaching staff stressed for Studnicka to adopt a mindset of "being where my feet [are]," as he put it himself. Having already torched the AHL, the logical next step appears to be up in Boston. Still, whether it be up in the middle-six or back competing against the likes of Bergeron and others during practices, Studnicka is awaiting the next chance he has to prove his merit up in the NHL ranks. 

"I don't think there's really necessarily any certain player I'd like to play on the line with," Studnicka said. "Just being able to play with such great players that have put themselves in good positions in the league and have great success — like (Zdeno) Chara, Bergeron, Krejci. The list goes on. Just guys that I grew up watching play on TV when I was little. To be able to play with them, it's definitely gonna be really cool."