A sense of belonging is all that anyone truly wants in life, and Mark Kastelic has it with the Boston Bruins.
It was only eight months ago that Kastelic first joined the Bruins as merely a footnote. But in a short time, he’s become an integral part of the team’s culture and now its future plans after signing a three-year contract extension worth $1.567 million per season with the Bruins on Friday.
“I’m very, very happy to have another three years after this one, and it’s a big honor,” Kastelic told reporters in Toronto this morning. “Ever since I got here, it just felt like home. The guys in this room have been unbelievable to me. It’s really a big family. I’m just very ecstatic to be here.”
Kastelic has fit in seamlessly with the Bruins after they acquired him as part of the package they received from the Ottawa Senators in a trade for Linus Ullmark.
A true bottom-six grinding forward, Kastelic has posted 11 points with four goals across 39 games this season. His 151 hits lead the Bruins, and his 76 penalty minutes are tied for the league lead with teammate Nikita Zadorov.
Much of the time that Kastelic has spent in the penalty box has been because of his six major penalties for fighting. No matter the opponent, he’s been undeterred from dropping the gloves with some of the league’s best brawlers and typically leaves them regretting that they ever tied up with him in the first place.
Whether it’s by fighting, applying heavy pressure on the forecheck, or making a strong stand in the defensive zone, Kastelic empties his tank on each shift and makes a noticeable impact nearly every night.
His consistent all-out effort has made him a favorite among the Bruins fanbase and within their locker room. So much so, in fact, that the team decided to lock him up before he had the chance to hit restricted free agency this upcoming offseason.
“We recognize the value that he brings to our club,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco said. “A physical player, he shows up every night. He’s a great pro. He’s a culture builder for our organization. He does everything that’s asked of him. He sticks up for his teammates when he needs to. It’s a great signing. I’m really happy for him. It’s certainly well deserved.”
Kastelic said the negotiations over the extension began between him and the Bruins a couple of weeks ago.
There were no rumblings, rumors, or whispers of the talks at all, making it easier for him to focus on his play.
“I tried not to think about it,” said Kastelic. “I’m a firm believer in whatever’s going to happen is going to happen. I was trying to focus on being present every day and continue to do what I do. Eventually, yesterday, it got done. It’s a super exciting feeling and very rewarding. It’s been a long journey, but I’m just very excited.”
The long journey for Kastelic was clearly worth it. In the end, he found where he belonged in Boston and knew it as soon as he arrived.
“The character in this room and the guys they have, that they brought in long before I’ve been here, and the culture they’ve established, and all that good stuff, I really felt it from day one. I just felt like I belonged. I felt comfortable right away, and that’s a credit to the people they have in this organization. I’d say probably from right from day one, it’s felt like home.”
