Boston Bruins sign defensive prospect Mason Lohrei

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Mason Lohrei to a two-year entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season.

Lohrei recently finished his second season at Ohio State University, where he had four goals and 32 points. He was named to the Big 10’s all-rookie team a year ago with 29 points, giving him 61 over 71 contests. Lohrei helped lead Ohio State University of the regional finals of the NCAA’s Frozen Four, losing out to the eventual national champions from Quinnipiac.

The 22-year-old finished the season by joining the AHL’s Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout deal, where he recently saw some playoff action against the Hartford Wolfpack.

Lohrei was taken with the 58th pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, a move that surprised many at the time. He followed it up by leading all USHL defensemen in goals (19), assists (40) and points (59) before winning the league’s defenseman of the year award. The offensive blueliner stands tall at 6-foot-4 and uses the frame when he needs to. Otherwise, he’s a solid puckhandler with decent speed for his size.

The signing of Lohrei will give the Bruins some extra flexibility on the blueline next year. Dmitry Orlov will be a UFA this summer and won’t come cheap if the team is looking to keep him around. They already have four defensemen making at least $3.5 million, with Charlie McAvoy holding a $9.5 million cap hit. The team will also have to make decisions on Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Tyler Bertuzzi, among others, as well as signing RFA Jeremy Swayman to a new deal.

After recording the best regular season in NHL history, the Bruins found themselves ousted in the first round in seven games. Boston had a 3-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers at one point, but collapsed in Game 7 and didn’t advance.