New Season, New Coach, Same Expectations as Providence Bruins Approach 2021 Home Opener
Chris Krenn
Oct 16, 2021When the puck hits the ice on Saturday night in Providence, it will mark the first P-Bruins regular season game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in 587 days. With three training camp exhibition games in the books and the start of the regular season approaching, there’s plenty of excitement and optimism around the locker room.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the AHL to pause the 2020-21 season on March 12, 2020, the P-Bruins were riding a franchise record 12-game winning streak with the playoffs just around the corner. The season was officially cancelled two months later as the league shifted their focus on how to make a 2021-22 season possible.
After the details were ironed out, the P-Bruins 2021-22 campaign opened in February of 2021 with an entirely new look for the season. The full schedule was just 25 games, with 24 of those games being played against either the Bridgeport Sound Tigers or the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Along with playing the same two teams, game after game, Providence essentially never had an actual “home” game. As the pandemic rolled on, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center was first used as a COVID-19 testing site and then a vaccination site shortly after. As a result, Providence played all home games at New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts, roughly 45 miles away from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Now the 2021-22 season is set to begin with “The Dunk” at full capacity and a 76-game schedule on the docket. Providence enters the season with high expectations after two consecutive Atlantic Division titles over the past two seasons. Fans in attendance on Saturday will see the unveiling of two new banners that will be hung in the rafters.
“Last season was unique,” said Providence Bruins forward Cameron Hughes. “I don’t think we’ll ever see something like that again. We were pretty lucky to get games in any way and we’re all just really excited to get back in front of the fans and play a couple games here at The Dunk.
“A lot of the guys were even excited just to practice in The Dunk. Now that we get a chance to play there it will be fun and, hopefully, we can build on some of the things we did last year.”
Along with the team as a whole, Hughes himself will look to pick up where he left off last year. A sixth-round pick (165th overall) by the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes led the P-Bruins in points (21) and assists (16) in 25 games last season. A former captain at University of Wisconsin, Hughes also served as an alternate captain for the P-Bruins last year as his leadership qualities continue to emerge in Providence.
“It’s kind of weird to be one of the older guys now, or more experienced,” said Hughes. “I’m not going to change anything. I’m just going to keep being myself and try to help as much as I can along the way. I think that’s when you’re best - when you just be yourself.”
Hughes is not the only member of the P-Bruins who plans to be himself this season, as newly appointed head coach Ryan Mougenel takes over behind the bench for Providence. Prior to his promotion, Mougenel had served as an assistant coach for the P-Bruins since the start of the 2018-19 season.
“I’m obviously going to forge my own identity,” said Mougenel. “I think the guys that have played for me know a lot about me, who I am, and what I believe in. The new guys here are just getting used to it. I’m really excited. I like where things have been. I really liked camp. It will be nice to get down to numbers and have some more time with the guys.”
One of those players that knows the head coach well is Hughes. The Edmonton, Alberta, native played his first full season in Providence in 2018-19, the same year Mougenel joined the coaching staff.
“It’s been awesome so far,” said Hughes. “Mouge is a great coach. He’s kind of a hockey nut. He loves it. He’s always watching. He’s always talking about the games from the night before.
“We all know he’s very prepared and excited to coach us. We’re all excited to play under him and go through the year with him. It’s really exciting so far and we’re all ready to get going.”
Along with the excitement of a new season, coach, and roster comes the obvious excitement of fans being back in the building. Saturday will mark the first time since March 8, 2020, that the P-Bruins will play in front of a crowd at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM.
“I can’t imagine how the players are going to feel when there’s fans in the building or when they go home to take a pregame nap,” said Mougenel. “It’s just getting back to that and how good it feels. I don’t hide the fact that I’m excited about it. I am.
“I’m excited for the energy in the building. There’s going to be a huge crowd and just that alone is pretty special. I’m sure the players will be very excited.”