Finally given NHL shot, Bruins’ Jonathan Aspirot has been difference-maker on defense

Boston Bruins

“You talk about paying your dues. You keep pushing for the dream.”

All Jonathan Aspirot was looking for was an opportunity. 

Prior to signing a one-year, two-way contract with Boston for $775,000 on July 1, 2025, the 26-year-old defenseman had spent the previous six seasons in the AHL — playing for both the Belleville Senators and Calgary Wranglers. 

Despite spending several years on the cusp of the NHL, Aspirot didn’t make his debut at hockey’s highest level until Oct. 28, 2025 with Boston.

Based on what he’s showcased so far in a black-and-gold sweater, Aspirot’s days spent riding the bus on road games in the AHL might be over. 

“He took advantage of the opportunity and also the opportunity for a new coach coming in,” Marco Sturm said Sunday when asked of Aspirot’s development. “The system we play, I think it just fit him perfectly. … He’s become a pleasant surprise for this hockey team. We know it. The players know it.”

After just 25 games with the Bruins, Aspirot’s no-frills, meat-and-potatoes approach earned him a new contract — with Boston signing him to a two-year deal on Sunday worth an average annual value of $887,500.

Once thought of as a veteran blue-line stalwart in Providence, Aspirot has instead emerged as a stout rookie in Sturm’s banged-up D corps.

On a Bruins team featuring several gifted puck-movers like Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, and Mason Lohrei, Aspirot’s simple, hard-nosed game has shored up a defense that has sprung far too many leaks this winter.

The Quebec product closes in on puck-carriers quickly, doles out plenty of punishment along the boards, and makes simple, smart plays with the puck to limit those taxing reps spent snuffing out scoring chances in the D-zone. 

“I think he’s a guy who’s better without the puck because he closes, and he can skate and keeps things simple, blocks a lot of shots,” Sturm said. “So he does all those things we kind of were looking for. He’s quick enough and strong enough. That you can’t teach.”

A temporary call-up from Providence after Lindholm was first placed on injured reserve in October, Aspirot is now Sturm’s go-to option whenever Boston’s depth chart starts to spring leaks — caulking whatever segment of the Bruins’ defense needs some sturdiness. 

After McAvoy landed on the shelf after taking a puck to the jaw, Sturm called upon Aspirot to skate on a top D pairing alongside Nikita Zadorov. 

In that duo’s 135:37 of 5-on-5 ice time together, the Bruins outscored opponents, 9-3. 

Prior to landing back on IR with an undisclosed injury, Lindholm was playing some of his best hockey of the season while skating with Aspirot. In Lindholm and Aspirot’s 50:34 of 5-on-5 reps, opponents have yet to score a single goal — while Boston has lit the lamp twice.

For now, Aspirot is skating back on the top pairing with McAvoy.

As has been the case all season, any D pairing with Aspirot in place has been tilting the ice in Boston’s favor — with Boston outscoring teams, 5-2, over the Aspirot and McAvoy duo’s 55:08 of reps. 

In total Aspirot has logged 381:33 of 5-on-5 ice time in his rookie season with Boston. Over that extended stretch, the Bruins have outscored teams, 22-8. 

Of the 193 NHL defenseman with at least 300 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Aspirot’s 1.26 goals against per 60 minutes ranks second in the entire NHL behind only Tampa’s J.J. Moser. 

For years, Aspirot awaited his chance to prove his worth in the NHL. Fair to say, it took longer than expected.

But the Bruins are thankful that the rookie’s extended journey in the pros finally carried him to Boston. 

“He’s been awesome,” McAvoy said. “He’s been such a story. Just a great guy. I’ve been enjoying playing with him. Before I got to play with him, I enjoyed watching him come in. He was really starting to take strides when I was out. I’m just so proud of him.

“It’s a heck of a story. You talk about paying your dues. You keep pushing for the dream. I know a lot of guys who played a lot of years in the AHL and looked to go to Europe or somewhere else. That’s a guy who just showed up and continued to get better. I don’t think there’s any doubt with anybody that’s watched him the appreciation we have for him in here. He’s an NHL hockey player.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.