Kolyachonok will have to earn a spot in the lineup, but is willing to do whatever it takes to have success in Boston.
“Whatever they tell me to do, I am going to do it,” he said.
Kolyachonok has some familiarity with both the Bruins’ system and players. He played the better part of three seasons with Victor Soderstrom in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners from 2021 to 2024; they were D-partners for a stretch in the minors, he said.
There will be a transition period for Kolyachonok to become ingrained in the flow of things, but he said the B’s D-zone is similar to what he played in Utah. He noticed differences in the details of Boston’s forecheck and neutral zone in his first practice, though, Kolyachonok said.
“He has a little bit of everything, I feel like he has a little bit of offense, he can defend,” Sturm said. “I think he played some PK as well. We look at him as a depth guy, and hopefully he is going to get a chance, too, I don’t know when.”
Soderstrom is the latest B’s call-up from Providence to step in and fill a gap. Players like Alex Steeves, Jonathan Aspirot, Michael Callahan and Matêj Blümel have all been leaned on throughout the season and made themselves part of winning efforts. It has been a strength of this year’s squad.
“First of all, it’s our leadership group, the guys in our room. I think they make those guys very comfortable right away, fill them in right away,” Sturm said. “Us coaching staff, our job is to get him used to the system. Might be a little bit of change, but overall, I think guys are just feeling good, and there’s no gray area, let’s put it that way.”
While the past 48 hours have been a whirlwind for Kolyachonok, he is ready to start his next chapter in the Black & Gold.
“I met everybody, and I knew a few guys before I came here, so it’s easy to get into it,” Kolyachonok said. “I know this team always competes hard and has the highest goals, so I was really excited.”
