the Boston Bruins announced the signing of forward Dalton Bancroft to a one-year entry-level contract with an NHL cap hit of $950,000. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent from Cornell University will report to the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate, on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.
Bancroft, a 6-foot-3, 207-pound winger, had an impressive collegiate career at Cornell. In the 2024–25 season, he recorded 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points in 36 games, ranking second on the team in goals and points. He also led the team in shorthanded goals (2) and game-winning goals (4). Over his three-year NCAA career, Bancroft amassed 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points in 103 games.
By signing with the Bruins, Bancroft forgoes his senior year at Cornell. He is the first Big Red player to leave early for the NHL since Morgan Barron in 2020. Bancroft’s decision came after Cornell’s elimination from the NCAA tournament, and he made his professional debut with Providence shortly thereafter.
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Before his time at Cornell, Bancroft was a standout in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), where he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in the 2021–22 season. He recorded a league-high 92 points in 54 games with the Trenton Golden Hawks.
Bancroft’s addition to the Bruins’ organization adds depth to their forward prospects. His size, scoring ability, and two-way play make him a promising candidate for future NHL contributions. The Bruins outbid several other teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins, to secure his services.
After appearing in five games with Providence, where he scored one goal, Bancroft was released from his ATO on April 21, 2025, to return to Cornell and complete his academic commitments. He remains under contract with the Bruins for the 2025–26 season.
