BOSTON — For six years, Jonathan Aspirot waited in the AHL for a call from the NHL, but it never came.
After stints with the Belleville Senators and Calgary Wranglers, Aspriot hit the free agent market on July 1, 2025, and didn't have to wait long to get a contract.
The Bruins signed the defenseman to a one-year, two-way contract.
Aspirot started the year in Providence but was called up by the Bruins in October after Hampus Lindholm was placed on injured reserve. He has been a mainstay in the lineup ever since and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension — his first NHL contract — for his performance on Sunday.
“It means everything,” Aspiro said before Boston's 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. “I couldn't turn down a deal like this.”
Aspiro revealed that he had a number of other job offers in the summer, making it difficult for him to be sent back to Providence. The defender had two goals and an assist in Sunday's game. He also had 42 hits and 29 blocks while posting a team-high +15.
The 26-year-old added four blocks and another hit in Sunday's win and was held to just one field goal by a Bruins offense that also saw some big changes in his performance.
Aspiro has been reliable since being drafted, filling in for Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy when they were out for the season.
“He's taken advantage of the opportunity, the opportunity with the new coach coming in and the new system we're in. I think it's a great fit for him,” coach Marco Sturm said. “I'm very happy. He's been the surprise of this hockey team. We know that, the players know that, and I'm glad we locked him up for another two years.”
This season, the Bruins have discovered tremendous value in Aspiro, who plays on both his natural left and right sides. He's a perfect fit for Sturm's system.
“I think he's a guy who's better without the puck because he can close in, he can skate and keep it simple and block a lot of shots,” Sturm said. “So he does all the things we're looking for. He's fast enough, strong enough. You can't teach that.”
Aspiro has excelled when paired with Boston's top defensemen, including McAvoy, who he worked with on Sunday.
“He's awesome. He's a story, a great guy. I enjoy playing with him,” McAvoy said. “Before I played with him, I was excited to watch him come in. I'm proud of him.”
After 297 games in the AHL, Apirot was rewarded. McAvoy praised his patience.
“I know a lot of players who played in the AHL for many years and they quickly went to Europe or somewhere else,” he said. “This is a guy that just shows up and continues to get better. I think anybody who's watched him play will have no doubt that we appreciate him here and he's an NHL hockey player.”
