Defenseman Frederic Brunet of the Boston Bruins has been invited to the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. The NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase will be held on September 3, 2025, at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia.
Brunet is among over 30 players with limited or no NHL experience invited to the event. These players range from those entering their first full season to Matthew Schaefer, the first-overall pick in the 2025 draft. The annual event, hosted by Upper Deck, the official trading card of the NHL, provides an opportunity for these young stars to skate together and pose for photos that will be used on their first official Upper Deck hockey cards.
Brunet is entering his fourth professional season and hopes to secure a spot on the Bruins' opening-night roster after training camp. Last season, he was called up to the NHL for the regular-season finale but did not record a point. In 118 regular-season games with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL), Brunet has scored seven goals and 32 assists, totaling 39 points.
The competition for a roster spot will be tough for Brunet, as he faces competition from other left-handed defensemen, including Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, and Nikita Zadorov. However, he has demonstrated his capabilities on both sides of the ice in Providence and aims to carry that momentum into the new season.
To secure a spot in Boston for more than just one game in the 2025-26 season, Brunet needs to maintain discipline. Last season, he had only 35 penalty minutes, and the season before, he had 21. His ability to stay on the ice could give him an advantage over competitors like Zadorov, who had 145 penalty minutes last season.
Here is a complete list of players invited to the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase:
