Former Rambler Named To Bruins Rookie Camp
© Paul Morrison Photography
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AMHERST, NS – September 9, 2025 — A familiar name to Amherst hockey fans is heading to the NHL ranks. Former Amherst Ramblers forward Dalton Bancroft has been named to the Boston Bruins’ 2025 Rookie Camp roster, marking the next step in a journey that began on small-town ice and is now skating toward the big leagues.
Bancroft, 24, is no stranger to perseverance. The Madoc, Ontario native spent part of the 2020–21 season with the Ramblers, where he showcased flashes of the offensive instincts and leadership that would soon become his trademark.
After developing in the OJHL and GOJHL, Bancroft’s breakout came in 2021–22 with the Trenton Golden Hawks, where he racked up 92 points in 54 games, earning OJHL MVP honors and catching the attention of NCAA programs.
He committed to Cornell University, and over three seasons with the Big Red, Bancroft became one of the ECAC’s most consistent two-way forwards. In his junior year, he tallied 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 36 games, leading Cornell in game-winning goals and earning a reputation as a clutch performer. His combination of size (6’3″, 207 lbs), skill, and hockey IQ made him a standout at both ends of the ice.
That performance caught the eye of the Boston Bruins.
On April 3, 2025, Bancroft signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Bruins, who quickly assigned him to the AHL’s Providence Bruins to finish out the 2024–25 season. Now, just months later, he’s officially been invited to the team’s 2025 Rookie Camp, a key step for prospects vying for full-time roles in Boston’s lineup.
For Bancroft, the opportunity is the latest milestone in a hockey journey that’s been anything but linear — a path paved through Canada’s junior leagues, the NCAA, and now, professional hockey.
Though his time in Amherst was brief, Bancroft left a lasting impression. Known for his quiet determination and mature approach to the game, he quickly earned the respect of teammates and coaches — and it’s no surprise to those who knew him then that he’s now knocking on the NHL’s door.