MONTREAL - Philip Samuelsson is headed to Boston College this fall to play hockey, and his father figures that alone is proof of the kid’s mental toughness.
“If he can handle that,’’ said his father, ex-NHL villain Ulf Samuelsson, still reviled in Boston for his nasty hit on Cam Neely that accelerated the power forward’s departure from the game, “then he can handle Pittsburgh.’’
The younger Samuelsson was chosen by the Penguins yesterday as the 61st pick (last in the second round) of the 2009 draft at the Bell Centre. Like his dad, Samuelsson is a defenseman, nearly 6 feet 3 inches and 200 pounds. With Chris Kreider also headed to The Heights in September, the Eagles should be a force in Hockey East.
“I saw my dad win two Cups there,’’ said Samuelsson, reflecting on the family’s time in Steel City, “so I know how passionate they are about their sports.’’
The senior Samuelsson said he hopes his son can develop quickly and “get to play with those superstars’’ in Pittsburgh, where youngsters Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby recently led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.
Rangers tap Bourque
Ryan Bourque, youngest son of Bruins icon
Ray Bourque, was picked up by the Rangers in the third round (selection No. 80). A small center (5-9), he could be a niche fit in the NHL, but a lot of scouts like his spirit, competitiveness, hockey sense, and Hall of Fame DNA.
Bourque grew up in Boxford, which is also Kreider’s hometown. The 6-3 Kreider was taken by the Rangers Friday night as the 19th pick in the draft. Bourque and Kreider attended the same middle school, prior to Bourque going to Cushing Academy and Kreider heading to Masconomet.
“Small world,’’ said Bourque, who will play this season with the Quebec Remparts, Patrick Roy’s club in the Quebec League. “Crazy how it works.’’
Ray Bourque was in the stands, sitting with the extended family. “He told me, ‘Congrats, you made it,’ ’’ said Ryan, “and he said, ‘The journey starts from here - you’ve got a lot to accomplish yet.’ ’’
Boyle part of deal
Ex-BC Eagle
Brian Boyle, the 6-7 center from Hingham, was featured in one of the day’s few trades. The Kings, who selected him with the 26th pick in 2003, dished him to the Rangers (a.k.a. Bay State Bombers) for a third-round pick in 2010. Only 24 years old, and only two pro years on his résumé, Boyle gets a chance for a fresh start . . . In the biggest move of the day, Calgary acquired the rights to
Jay Bouwmeester, the elite Florida defenseman who becomes an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The Flames sent defenseman
Jordan Leopold (also headed to UFA) and a third-round pick to the Panthers. Bouwmeester is an Alberta boy, which could give the Flames an edge in getting him to sign a deal ahead of the UFA feeding frenzy.
Avalanche pick Millan
Kieran Millan, goaltender for national champion Boston University, was picked by the Avalanche in the fifth round . . . Merrimack netminder
Joe Cannata (Wakefield, BC High) was chosen by the Canucks in the sixth round . . . Kreider was the second US-born player taken in the draft, and one of seven Yanks taken in the first round.
Nick Leddy, a defenseman born in Eden Prairie, Minn., was grabbed by the Wild at No. 16 as the first US-born player.
Tim Erixon (Portchester, N.Y.), son of former Ranger
Jan Erixon, went to the Flames at No. 23 . . . In all, 17 of the 30 first-round picks were Canadians, and they made up 102 of the total 210 picks. There were 55 Yanks, 24 Swedes, and 10 Finns. Mother Russia accounted for only seven . . . The rumored
Phil Kessel trade to Toronto, part of a package for defenseman
Tomas Kaberle, cooled faster than a baked potato in a freezer. But with free agency starting Wednesday, it could heat up again . . . The Ducks said
Teemu Selanne has decided to play another season.
Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at dupont@globe.com; material from Associated Press was used in this report. 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
