BOSTON, MA — Asked about the signing of the B's first round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli talked about an impressive body of work achieved by 18-year-old Malcolm Subban.

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"What he’s done in his junior career, and what he’s done even in his international career—which I was just watching him in Halifax a few weeks ago in the Canada-Russia Challenge—he’s accomplishing all these things," he said. "We thought highly enough of him to draft him in the first round."

But for Chiarelli and the B's, the upside of Subban isn't solely icebound.

"He’s got good character; he’s got good enthusiasm," said Chiarelli. "He’s a little raw still from the professional perspective, from the game, his skill-level perspective, but he’s a tremendous athlete.

"These are all things we project on, and, we expect him to refine it."

And for Subban, who came into the Bruins organization admitting he had plenty to learn about professional hockey, refining his approach and his play doesn't seem to be an issue.

"That happens maybe a little more quickly with him because he’s got a brother [Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban] in the NHL," explained Chiarelli. "He’s probably been around NHL players more than other players.

"I just like his demeanor."

Given his position, it's the Bruins hope that demeanor translates into the crease.

"We’ve had some goalies that have had poise and composure," said the GM. "Malcolm has that in his own way, in that he’s tremendously athletic and he can be quite active. He’s so athletic, and you see his game transform relatively quickly from mid-winner, to development camp, to this series.

"You can see it getting polished already, so that’s a testament to his athleticism.

"He’s another one that works hard off the ice, and has good character and good work ethic."