Bruins Prospect McIntyre, Ready For Pro Career

Sounds like University of North Dakota goaltender Zane McIntyre has made a decision on his future in hockey, and it sounds like he is ready to turn pro somewhere in the Boston Bruins organization. CBC/Sportsnet hockey analyst Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) is reporting that McIntyre will not return to North Dakota for his senior year, and is ready to sign with the Bruins.

The 22 year old Thief River Falls, Minnesota native has spent his last three seasons at North Dakota appearing in 92 games for the Fighting Sioux, posting an impressive 58-24-9 record, a 2.16 goals against, and a .925 save percentage in his collegiate career. The Boston Bruins selected him in the sixth round (165th overall) in the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

This season with North Dakota, he was a key member in helping the Sioux reach the NCAA Mens Hockey Championship Tournament, making an appearance in the Frozen Four with hopes of a National Championship. The team ultimately lost to Boston University in the semi-finals.

hockeysfuture.com wrote a talent analysis on him, and had this to say. McIntyre is a dexterous and athletic goalie with strong puck handling skills. His style is a bit of a throw-back, combining elements of the butterfly technique with an ability to improvise and scramble, not unlike that of one-time Blackhawk’s netminder Marty Turco. Competitive to the point where he hates to give up on a play he uses his height and and long limbs to make stops that look out of reach. McIntyre’s hybrid style and reliance on reflexes sometimes make him prone to poor rebound control; an area he has worked to improve while at North Dakota. McIntyre displays some uncanny natural instincts, reads the play well, and has the poise and patience to wait out shooters in one-on-one situations.