James van Riemsdyk Opens Up About Joining the Bruins

After playing against the Boston Bruins for 14 NHL seasons, James van Riemsdyk is now getting ready to don their jersey, marking a big change in his career.

"I've been on the other side of some pretty intense rivalries for a lot of years," van Riemsdyk shared with reporters following his first captains' practice with the Bruins at Warrior Ice Arena. "I've heard a lot of great things about a lot of the guys, and obviously, there are a lot of great players in the room, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Van Riemsdyk, a veteran forward, was the second overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. He started his NHL journey with the Flyers in the 2009-10 season, putting up 15 goals and 20 assists in his rookie year.

Looking back at his history with the Bruins, van Riemsdyk remembered that even when the Flyers made a stunning comeback from being down three games to none in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2009, games against Boston were always a major challenge.

"Over the years, it was always a measuring stick game," he recalled. "It felt like every single year since I've been in the league, they were a team that was going to have a chance to win. So, entering free agency, it was exciting to get a call from these guys and have the chance to be part of a team with so many great players and pieces."

Although he experienced victory in the epic comeback in 2009, van Riemsdyk was playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013 when the Bruins had their memorable "Game of the Decade" in the first round of the postseason.

Van Riemsdyk's choice to sign a one-year deal with the Bruins was motivated by his desire to bring his veteran skills to complement Boston's existing core of players.

"This is going to be my 15th year, and while I had some playoff runs that went far earlier in my career, it hasn't been as frequent lately," he explained. "That's what it's all about now. It's about finding ways to win games and chasing down the ultimate prize. That's what's exciting about a team like this with a lot of great players here."

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