Mark Kastelic is enjoying his role with the Boston Bruins.
Boston acquired Kastelic in 2024 from the Ottawa Senators in the Linus Ullmark deal. Since joining Boston, Kastelic has been a bottom-six forward, but this season, his role has increased.
In overtime, Kastelic takes the opening faceoff, and if he wins it, he gets off the ice for a more offensive player. If he loses, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm trusts him defensively to be on the ice. He’s also sticking up for teammates in fights, as he said he’s taking pride in his role with the team.
“I feel like I have a role and little moments like that where I feel like I take a lot of pride in personally,” Kastelic said postgame on Saturday, as seen on NESN’s coverage. “It’s great to feel the trust from the coaching staff to get put in those big moments.
“It’s been pretty cool to go out there. Guys on the team, it’s such a little thing, but they hype me up so much.”
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Sturm, meanwhile, said he’s pleased with the job Kastelic has done, especially his overtime assignment, which isn’t easy.
“He’s already waiting for it,” Sturm said of Kastelic’s overtime assignment. “That’s the best part. Talked to him about it, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s my job. I want to do that.’ As soon as it’s OT, I can see him looking.”
Kastelic has also chipped in offensively this season, as he has four goals and four assists for eight points in 27 games.
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Boston is off to a 15-12-0 start and in second place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins will return to the ice on Tuesday on the road against the Detroit Red Wings.