BOSTON -- Most athletes tend to keep the outside noise from influencing their game or mindset. However, Bruins forward Morgan Geekie embraces the doubters and uses them as fuel on the ice.
"I read everything. It's probably unlike most people, but I know what's said," Geekie said after Bruins practice on Wednesday. "I use it as a little motivation, so it's good. It's lots of fun, and fun to look at when you're lacking confidence. It's fun to prove people wrong."
Geekie saw his role expand with the Bruins last season, after centering the Seattle Kraken's fourth line and averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per game. Once in Boston, Geekie's versatility allowed Jim Montgomery to move the 26-year-old up and down the lineup. He rewarded the Bruins with career-highs in goals (17), assists (22) and points (39) while logging 15:25 minutes of ice time in 76 games.
Entering his second season with the Black and Gold, Geekie is embracing the opportunity to expand his role in Boston once again -- especially with Jake DeBrusk's departure in the offseason.
"I think I've got a lot more, a lot more to offer than what I showed even. So it's fun to keep growing as a player and just try to get better every day," Geekie said. "Guys are going to have to step up. There's roles to be replaced. We had a good cast of guys that went elsewhere, but that's the business of hockey.
"... We've got guys in the spring that are ready to step up and take on larger roles. The best thing about this group is nobody really cares who's doing what as long as everyone's on board. That's something we're going to take seriously this year."
Geekie added: "I'm a pretty chill guy. I think that's a big part of it is just being able to fit up and down the lineup. You see guys that spend a long time in this league being able to do different jobs. Obviously, when you get really good at one thing, it's nice, but you can kind of compliment other guys and help them do the job better. I think that helps as well. Just being able to bounce around and compliment whether it's a first line or a fourth line and just be able to compete every night."
