BOSTON — The news could be bad.
The Bruins summoned Jonathan Aspirot on Monday to provide defensive depth for their road trip to Ottawa after placing Hampus Lindholm on injured reserve.
So Aspiro will likely be sent back to Providence when they activate Lindholm on Tuesday.
Instead, he made his NHL debut in the Boston lineup.
Michael Callahan is back in Providence. Mason Lorey has played in every game so far this season and is back healthy after recent struggles. As such, Aspirot lined up next to Henri Jokiharju on the Bruins' third pair.
At 26, Aspiro is old by rookie standards. The undrafted player out of Quebec was in his seventh season in the AHL when he got the call. Those who have a long history of assaulting minors sometimes go unnoticed. But Aspiro remains hopeful.
“I believe in myself. Keep working hard and believe in my dreams,” he said with a hint of Quebecois accent. “It made everything I've worked for come true. I couldn't be happier.”
For most games, he’ll know he’s getting into the morning skate — whether it’s when Sturm tells him or when he’s working out with Jokiharju.
But there was no skating Tuesday morning because Monday’s road game was over.
“I noticed it when I walked into the game. Quick turnaround,” he said. “I told a few people and then I tried to focus on the game. I'm very excited and happy to be here.”
His girlfriend was already in Boston and among the crowd, but his parents didn't have time to make the trip from Quebec.
Wearing No. 45 (last worn by Cole Koepke), he played a simple and direct game in 20 games in 14 minutes and 41 seconds. He blocked four shots and avoided a turnover.
The first few shifts were nerve-wracking, he said.
“It's stressful. My brain is running a thousand miles an hour,” he said. “I just want to enjoy the moment.”
After the game, his teammates earned him a game puck. That feeling hadn't gone away when he met with the media.
“It was a great day. Probably one of the best days of my life,” he said. “I'm so excited.”
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