For the first time since 2013, and for the third time in nine years, the Boston Bruins are headed to the Stanley Cup Final.

Boston, the Atlantic Division's second seed, completed their four-game sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, 4-0, to capture the Eastern Conference title and the Prince of Wales trophy. After navigating a playoff path that included a thrilling first-round series against Toronto and a challenge from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round, the Bruins now await the winner of the Western Conference Final between the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues.

Among the many contributors to the Bruins' playoff run are alumni of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF), each of whom have contributed at some point over the last month. 

Known at times to be the offensive spark, East Weymouth, MA native Charlie Coyle (South Shore Kings/Boston Jr. Terriers) helped the Bruins past their early playoff struggles. With 12 points in 17 games, this has been Coyle's most productive postseason in the seven he's played in the NHL. Of his six goals, none were more important than the game-tying and game-winning tallies in Game 1 of the second round against Columbus.

The Florida Eels are proud to announce that ALEX QUINTAL has committed to WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY and will be playing for its ACHA Division I hockey program. ALEX is the Eels 9th college commitment for this season. He marks the 242nd Florida Eels Alumni who have advanced to college. Alex is the Florida Eels 1st Florida Eel player to attend Western Michigan University and play for its ice hockey program.  
Quintal 5’6 152 pounds forward/defensemen. He is a native of Redmond Washington which is near Seattle where he played his youth hockey. Alex is a 2-year veteran with the Florida Eels Junior Program. Alex had numerous opportunities by a good number of solid college programs. He took the time to visit many of the colleges and did his due diligence to find the right fit both from an academic and hockey perspective. He wanted to pursue a degree in Engineering and WSU had the academic program he was looking for. It was very important for Alex to look at the University’s academic program along with the hockey opportunities. He feels he found that at Western Michigan University. He is now part of the Florida Eels rich legacy in advancing players to college
General Manager Scarpaci comments, “Alex has a very strong work ethic. He is a dedicated and determined young man and a key component of on our Elite team for the past two seasons. To improve his game, he stayed an extra 1 ½ hours each day shooting 150 pucks. He is an impassioned young man. Strong will to win. He also worked part time, 20+ hours per week throughout the season. Over the Spring and Summer Quintal stayed in Florida to train with the Eels coaching staff. He also attended and competed in the Pro-Am Pre-Draft Showcases for two seasons, at the USPHL Spring and Summer Showcases for 3 seasons and the Pro-Am Sr. Chowder Cup for 2 seasons. These are the extra things he did in the off season to make himself a better player and ultimately ripen into a college player. 
This is a strong character young man who has strong integrity echoes GM Scarpaci,, and this will follow him into college. He is extremely excited about the opportunities ahead of him at WMU. He comes from extremely supportive parents who have made enormous sacrifices to enable their son Alex to realize and fulfil his dream of attending college and advancing to play college hockey.  
WSU is in the Great Lakes Hockey Conference and plays an impressive schedule including games vs Adrian College, Davenport University, Kent State University, Oakland University, Rochester University, Calvin College and Eastern Michigan. 

SCOUTING REPORT by Premier Coach Frank Scarpaci and Elite Coach Alex Sanchez: Quintal is a 2nd year veteran with the Eels Junior program. A very dedicated, determined young man. Great work ethic, smooth skater, nice hands. When he plays as a forward, he shoots the puck 4 to 5 times per game. He has the hunger and thirst around the net. He has played both forward and defense for the Eels. As a defenseman, he is very steady on the blueline. Moves the puck quickly out of the zone. He is very smart in the D Zone. Makes simple plays. Makes a nice first pass out. Quick on the transition and line rush. He battles hard along the boards. Good hockey IQ. He has spent the time in the trenches and knows what it takes to win. Strong compete level.  

This is what WSU announced in their press release about Quintal:

The WMU Stallions hockey club has announced their first commitment to the 2019-2020 roster, signing Marc-Alexandre Quintal as the first member of their recruiting class. 
Quintal, from Seattle, Washington, joins the Stallions after spending the last season with the Florida Eels in the USPHL Elite Division. With his family originally from Quebec, Canada, Quintal speaks both English and French, and has been skating for as long as he can remember. 
Outside of the rink, he enjoys snowboarding and being outdoors, and in the future would like to work on electric motors and cars. 
“The widely accomplished engineering program is what brings me to Western. I hope to continue developing as a person as well as a player and will aim to use my work ethic to set a good example for everyone,” said Quintal.
GM Scarpaci concludes, “Alex will be truly missed as he was a staple to the Florida Eels program for the past two seasons. We wish Alex the best at Western Michigan University not only in hockey but in his academic career. He will no doubt go on and make us proud.”