Bruins Draft Pick David Pastrnak Preparing To Be Starstruck When Skating With David Krejci
BOSTON (CBS) -- When the Bruins drafted David Pastrnak with the 25th overall pick in last month's June, one of the first factoids about the Czech forward idolizes Bruins center David Krejci.
And with the Bruins in a bit of a salary cap crunch at the moment, Pastrnak has an opportunity to skate with the team at training camp and possibly earn a spot on the roster, where he'd share a bench and a locker room with his favorite player.
It's a thought to which Pastrnak reacts much like a starstruck fan would.
"I know I just hope I'm going to stay alive after, if it's going to happen," Pastrnak said Tuesday when asked by the Bruins about being on the ice with Krejci.
Despite the obvious excitement, Pastrnak said he knows he'll have so much to focus on that he won't be able to be distracted.
"I always said if I get this chance, I would do my best and show to the Bruins that they made the right decision," Pastrnak said.
As far as being a fan of a teammate goes, it's an area where Krejci himself has experience. Krejci grew up idolizing Jaromir Jagr, and the two were teammates in 2013, when Jagr joined the Bruins at the deadline as the B's went on a run to the Cup Final.
Krejci's admiration for Jagr created one of the funnier moments of that series. When Hockey Night In Canada asked each member of the Bruins to name his favorite player, Krejci said "Jaromir Jagr." When asked for his favorite player growing up, Jagr said "Jaromir Jagr."
Pastrnak signed his entry-level deal with the Bruins on Tuesday, keeping alive the possibility that he'll get to share a locker room with his favorite player. It is, in many ways, a dream come true for the 18-year-old.
"Until now, until this moment happened now, I've been always just dreaming about it. Now it came true, but my dreaming isn't done," Pastrnak said. "I have to still do more things for my dad and for my family. I still have more that I have to do, and I just have to keep working and that can be a good beginning."
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