In March 2025, the Boston Bruins acquired a 20-year-old, a first-round pick, and a fourth-round pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The 20-year-old was Fraser Minten, who Bruins fans know well. The first-rounder has not been used, and the Bruins selected Vashek Blanar with the 100th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

At first, the fourth-round pick looked like it might have been an off-the-board selection. 

Blanar quickly proved it was not. 

He made a lasting first impression at development camp last summer. He is a quick, puck-moving defenseman who put his offensive game on display. Throughout last summer’s camp, he was outspoken about developing the defensive end of his game and knew that would come, along with more available ice, when he went back to Sweden. 

The Bruins’ development staff remained in close touch with Blanar throughout the season, giving him pointers on where and how to improve. The Colorado-born Czech defenseman noticed his game change, and for the better. 

“I think it went well. I got a lot of video from the guys here from Boston, and I think I saw the change after Christmas,” said Blanar. “It was like the half-year point where I really started to get into the defensive side. I’ve seen improvement. Boston’s seen improvements, so it’s going well.” 

Vashek Blanar noted the improvement in his defensive game after day one of #NHLBruins dev camp

The 6’5” LHD is going to compete for SHL mins (HV71) and will go to UMass starting 27-28. Also said the coaching staff at UMass “seemed unreal”@BOSHockeyNow pic.twitter.com/b9hBkgZcAX

— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) June 29, 2026

Adam McQuaid, the Bruins’ director of player development, agrees. 

“He’s grasping body position a little bit more. I think in general, he’s kind of tamed his game down a little bit. Ask himself, he’ll probably say he just had a one-track mind for a little while of let’s get the puck and go and try and create offense, and I think he’s learning there’s a time and place to try and do those things,” McQuaid said about Blanar’s defensive game. “So, for a guy that came touted as more of an offensive guy, he’s very competitive defensively. He’s not afraid to battle, and I think he’s starting to embrace being able to try and shut guys down and different areas of the game defensively. He’s got some natural ability with it. So, it’s good.” 

Blanar played three games for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), but spent most of his time with the U20 team in the U20 Nationell. In 30 games with HV71’s U20 team, he finished with 15 points (5-10–15), 57 PIMs.

Blanar also suited up for Czechia for the first time in his career. He played at the Five Nations tournament and also skated at a U19 tournament in April. He was on the Czech roster for the World Junior Championships, but did not play. 

“I’m not even mad that I didn’t play. It was my second national team ever, and it was the World Juniors. So I’ve seen the best players of our age at the tournament,” Blanar said. “I’ve learned a lot, and it’s been an awesome experience.”

He is eligible to play at the 2027 World Junior Championships in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Credit: Connor Nee/Boston Hockey Now

Next season, Blanar will compete for minutes in the SHL, Sweden’s top league, and he will be staying with HV71. 

He is going to UMass for the 2027-28 season, and the school was appealing for more than one reason.

“I think it was just the coaching staff seemed unreal, the facilities, and I think their mindset is what I’m looking for to try to develop me as a good player and be in the NHL,” said Blanar. 

In order to maintain his NCAA eligibility, he will not be paid a salary by HV71. 

Blanar is growing. Not just his game, but literally. He is taller than last season, now standing 6-foot-5, and he weighs in at 183 lbs, up seven from last year.

There is still time in Blanar’s development, and with a UMass commitment starting in 2027, there is no reason to rush the defenseman. The talent is there. It’s raw, but he has taken serious strides in his development. 

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