NORTH ANDOVER — A few months ago, during Christmas break, the Boston Bruins expressed interest in Merrimack goaltender Max Lundgren.
They initially offered Lundgren a spot at this summer’s development camp as a non-roster invitee — an opportunity he quickly accepted.
But as Lundgren’s second half unfolded, so too did Boston’s level of interest.
After the Warriors were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament earlier this week, Lundgren received a call from the Bruins. This time, it wasn’t about development camp.
They were offering him an NHL contract.
“It’s been a dream ever since I was a little kid,” Lundgren said Sunday, as his teammates gathered on campus for an event where he signed the deal. “I’m just very excited.”
The agreement represents an ideal outcome for Lundgren, who just completed his junior season after setting Merrimack single-season records in both minutes played and saves.
Lundgren said he is eager to join an organization with a strong track record of developing NHL goaltenders. Jeremy Swayman rose through Boston’s system after being drafted, while Brandon Bussi followed a path similar to Lundgren’s, signing as a free agent out of Western Michigan.
Lundgren also relishes the chance to remain in New England, where he has established both comfort and familiarity.
“I’m very excited [about staying in New England],” Lundgren said. With Boston’s minor-league affiliates located in Providence (AHL) and Maine (ECHL), he should remain close. “I have really enjoyed it here, and I have met a lot of people here. That was a big part for me.”
Lundgren becomes the fifth Merrimack goaltender to sign an NHL contract since Joe Cannata in 2012. He is also the third in that span to arrive undrafted and depart with a deal, joining Collin Delia (2017 with Chicago) and Rasmus Tirronen (2015 with Carolina).
He is the second consecutive Merrimack goaltender to sign an NHL contract, following Hugo Ollas, who inked a deal with the New York Rangers in 2024.
“Dan [Jewell] has coached our goalies since the day he got here,” Merrimack coach Scott Borek said. “He’s had two goalies in a row now leave with NHL contracts. Obviously, Max and Hugo did all the work there, but I think the work Dan has done with these guys has been great. It’s pretty easy for us to call a goalie who has that aspiration. I think you can come here and be coached by the best goalie coach in the country. Hugo and Max get all the credit, but there is no doubt in my mind, and I know in their minds, that Dan has helped guide that.
“This is great for our program. We’d love to do these types of events every year.”
Lundgren said he expects to report to Providence — Boston’s AHL affiliate — within the next week or two.
When he arrives, he’ll find familiar connections already in place. Former Merrimack assistant coach Darren Yopyk now serves as the Bruins’ assistant director of amateur scouting, while Dave Breen works as a skills coach within the organization, and does a lot of work with the Providence Bruins.