Bruins

Woburn’s Riley Duran ready to make a push during Bruins’ training camp

“I'm gonna show up to [training] camp and give it everything I got.”

By Conor Ryan

July 2, 2024

• Facebook
• Twitter
• E-Mail
• E-Mail
• 2

Riley Duran has dreamt of donning the spoked-B his whole life. 

The Woburn native hasn’t had to stray very far from the nest on his path to pro hockey — elevating his stock at Lawrence Academy and the Cape Cod Whalers before spending one season with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. 

After three collegiate seasons at Providence College, the 2020 sixth-round pick is finally within Boston’s organization. 

“Just come in with confidence,” Duran said Tuesday at Warrior Ice Arena of his approach entering the 2024-25 season. “I think that’s my biggest thing. When I’m playing with confidence, that’s when I’m at my best. Just get bigger and stronger. It’s not a boy’s game anymore, it’s a man’s game.”

Despite playing only 11 games of pro hockey so far, Duran was mentioned by Don Sweeney as a prospect who might push for a roster spot out of camp in September.

“I would say that [Georgii Merkulov] and [Fabian Lysell] or Riley Duran — keep going down the list. Just pin your ears back, train your ass off this summer, and come with the intent that there’ll be an opportunity here,” Sweeney said Monday.

While Lysell and Merkulov might boast higher upside as potential middle-six contributors, Duran’s pace, compete level, and physicality make him an appealing candidate for a fourth-line role in the near future. 

“Just the compete level,” Duran said of what stands out about his game. “I like my speed. Got some good speed. I like to shoot the puck and play with a ton of compete. I like to bring it every night.”

Boston already has an abundance of riches when it comes to fleet-footed, physical skaters ready to contribute on the fourth line in 2024-25, headlined by Johnny Beecher, Justin Brazeau, and new additions in Mark Kastelic, Max Jones, and Riley Tufte. 

Duran, who turned pro in March after closing out his junior year with the Friars, might have an uphill climb as far as leapfrogging several of those skaters on the depth chart. 

But after a solid three-year stretch in college (27 goals, 55 points over 102 games), Duran hit the ice running with the Providence Bruins, recording four points over his first 11 games with the Baby B’s while adjusting to the bruising play at the next level. 

“I say this in a respectful way, he’s just a simple player,” former Bruins defenseman and current player development coordinator Adam McQuaid said of Duran. “He comes to work. He does the little things well. I was impressed with his board play, especially at the pro level already. I think he really established himself as a player the coaches could rely on. …  I was also impressed with his poise with the puck to really make plays. We saw that at times at PC and knew it was there.”

For now, Duran isn’t trying to look too far ahead. 

The 22-year-old forward is focusing on establishing himself as a leader on Boston’s 2024 Development Camp roster, already showcasing a heavier shot through the first two days of practices in Brighton. 

Still, it’s only natural for a local kid to envision the day where he plays for the team he grew up cheering for. 

That day might come sooner rather than later. 

“That was my dream growing up — playing in the NHL,” Duran. “I’m gonna show up to [training] camp and give it everything I got.”