Mark Kastelic, the new Boston Bruins forward, has deep hockey roots and a special connection to the city of Boston. His father, Ed Kastelic, was a tough enforcer for the Capitals and Whalers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His grandfather, Pat Stapleton, started his NHL career with the Bruins in 1961.
Ed Kastelic was known for his physical style, amassing 719 penalty minutes in 220 NHL games. While Mark shares his father’s willingness to drop the gloves when necessary, he plays a more versatile role. Acquired in the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa, Mark brings a hard-hitting forechecking style to Boston’s bottom-six forwards.
“It’s part of my game, but it’s not what defines me,” said Kastelic, who grew up in Phoenix where his father coached him. He describes himself as a strong two-way forward, with physicality and faceoffs as key strengths, unafraid to get physical when needed.
With Bruins coach Jim Montgomery and GM Don Sweeney emphasizing the importance of forechecking, Kastelic sees himself fitting well into their system. He believes success in forechecking comes down to maintaining top conditioning, working well as a unit, and staying hungry for the puck while not shying away from physical play.
Though his father had a big influence on his career, Kastelic also shared a close relationship with his grandfather, Pat Stapleton. Stapleton, a solid defenseman, played 635 NHL games and appeared in four All-Star Games. He also represented Canada in the Summit Series in the early 1970s.
Growing up, Kastelic spent summers with Stapleton in Ontario, where his grandfather ran hockey camps. Stapleton’s focus on the mental aspects of the game had a lasting impact on Kastelic, who remembers receiving regular inspirational messages from his grandfather.
Stapleton, who passed away in 2020, wore the No. 4 for the Bruins before Bobby Orr made it iconic. Kastelic, who wears No. 47, considers it a small way to honor his grandfather. He also wore Stapleton’s No. 12 while playing for the Blackhawks.
