Charlestown’s Matt Grzelcyk was picked by the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League Draft last weekend. He was the 85th overall selection.
With this early success, Grzelcyk was chosen by his dream team.
“This is what I have dreamt about my entire life,” he said when chosen. “It is a dream come true and I am so happy.”
Grzelcyk’s Dad, John, grew-up here. He worked in the old Boston Garden for 35 years as one of the bull gang crew who changed the ice over to hardwood.
This is a a Charlestown family made up of die-hard Bruins fans and it is said that John took his son to the Garden for the first time when Matt was 2 years-old.
Also happy are two other gifted hockey players with strong Charlestown roots who were drafted by NHL teams.
Grzelcyk’s teammate and childhood Charlestown friend Brendan Collier was drafted by the Carolina in round 7 of the draft. He was the 185th draft pick.
Both Grezelcyk and Collier will attend and play for the legendary hockey coach Jack Parker at Boston University.
A third Charlestown skater, Jim Vesey, whose father was a Charlestown hockey legend and NHL player, himself drafted by St. Louis Blues in 1984, will be attending Harvard and now lives in North Reading but spent his early years in town.
All three skaters are 18 years-old and raring to go.