Matthew Poitras Opens Up About Bruins Demotion To AHL

It’s not where Matthew Poitras necessarily wants to be, but the young Boston Bruins forward is going to try to make the most of his new situation.

The Bruins on Monday assigned Poitras to their AHL affiliate in Providence after an underwhelming 14 games with Boston this season, in which the 20-year-old produced just one goal and three assists.

Poitras told the New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver on Thursday that he was “disappointed and a little surprised” by Boston’s decision to send him to Providence. But Poitras appears to have the right mindset as he tries to work his way back to the big club.

“I don’t want to come down and feel sorry for myself. That’s not going to get me anywhere,” Poitras said, per Divver. “Come in with a positive attitude. It’s a great group of guys in there, just have a lot of fun.”

Poitras quickly ascended to the NHL last season by using his offensive skills to star during training camp and the preseason. He bypassed Providence completely, going from the OHL’s Guelph Storm to the Bruins.

Poitras flashed his potential as a teenager with the Bruins, totaling five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 33 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

But Poitras never made real traction this season despite being healthy and adding to his undersized 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. He registered only one point in his last seven games with the Bruins while averaging just 12:44 of time on ice for the season.

“It’s a really hard league, everybody’s just so good,” Poitras said. “My confidence wasn’t where I need it to be to go out there and have the confidence that I’m a good player, that I can play at (the NHL) level. Get that back and just play the right way.”