4 things to know about new Bruins forward Mark Kastelic

He’s a stable defensive ahead.

Although Kastelic isn’t precisely a fourth-line ahead that one ought to pencil in for 10-plus tallies this season, he ought to have the option shore up some vital areas in Boston’s D-zone in 2024-25. 

With Boston’s fourth-line forwards routinely handed loads of taxing minutes within the Bruins’ personal finish of the ice, having a gifted faceoff choice in Kastelic ought to come in useful. Kastelic sports activities a 56.3 faceoff share in his profession, together with a 54.4 % displaying through the 2023-24 season. 

The one Bruins who boasted greater faceoff numbers than Kastelic final season have been Pavel Zacha (54.8 %) and fellow fourth-liner Beecher (54.6 %).

Although Ottawa was removed from a defensive powerhouse final season, Kastelic ranked fourth amongst Senators regulars (min. 400 minutes) in targets in opposition to per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 play (2.4). 

With Jeremy Swayman anchoring Boston’s protection in 2024-25, Kastelic’s defensive numbers ought to proceed to enhance in his new environment. 

Kastelic has some household ties to the Bruins

The Kastelic household already boasts loads of NHL ties past Mark’s ongoing profession. 

Mark’s father, Ed, performed 220 profession NHL video games for the Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers from 1985-92 — racking up 719 penalty minutes over these seven seasons. 

Mark Kastelic already has a connection to Boston, as his grandfather, Pat Stapleton, performed two seasons for the Bruins from 1961-63.  Stapleton went on to play 635 video games within the NHL, together with one other 5 seasons within the WHL. 

“My grandpa taught me loads concerning the psychological facet of the sport,” Mark Kastelic stated in a profile from The Athletic in 2023. “He was at all times giving me texts of encouragement. There have been lots of optimistic affirmations with my grandpa and pop.”

Pat Stapleton’s son — and Mark’s uncle — Mike Stapleton additionally had a 14-year profession within the NHL, recording 182 factors over 697 profession video games. Mike Stapleton performed for seven totally different franchises over his 14 years within the NHL ranks. 

Kastelic hails from an unconventional hockey market.

Although he has loads of hyperlinks to the NHL along with his household, Kastelic developed right into a promising hockey prospect whereas rising up in Phoenix — spending his youth hockey years with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes groups from 2013-15.

The Kastelic household settled within the Phoenix space after Ed Kastelic performed the 1992-93 season with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the Worldwide Hockey League.

Whereas Arizona isn’t precisely a hotbed for NHL expertise, Kastelic expressed disapointment to the Ottawa Solar in April that the Arizona Coyotes have been relocating to Utah for subsequent season and past.

“For myself, personally, it’s unhappy. That’s a group I grew up watching and I’ve lots of attachment to it,” Kastelic stated. “They’re not going to be round anymore. After watching them my complete life and getting the possibility to play in opposition to them within the NHL, it’s unhappy.

“These are a few of my favorite video games of the 12 months, getting the possibility to play in entrance of family and friends. That’s one thing the folks there are going to overlook, for certain. I simply really feel for lots of the youthful technology. I had the Coyotes to look as much as once I was rising up.

“That’s what acquired me concerned within the sport. A few of my favourite gamers have been on that group. Now younger children received’t be capable to have that and that’s going to be slightly bit disappointing.”