The dreaded tap on the shoulder with instructions about where and when to report to Providence never came. The 2 p.m. NHL roster deadline came and went on Sunday and Jeffrey Viel was a surprise member of the Boston Bruins.

“He did his job exactly the way we wanted,” coach Marco Sturm said after practice on Monday. “Right now, he’s probably not a regular, but he’s a good guy to throw in, in some games against some tough opponents.”

Unlike many of the players he was battling for a roster spot, Viel is a little older. At 28, he’s been a pro for eight seasons, a stint that has included 54 previous NHL games (49 in San Jose, 5 in Boston).

Viel, who once fought Zdeno Chara, is known for his physical play and willingness to mix it up. He fought Mathieu Olivier and Dylan McIlrath during his five games in Boston last year.

But he’s been an effective player with his gloves on, too. He had 13 goals and 24 assists for the Providence Bruins in 68 games last year. Sturm enjoyed seeing him earn a spot.

“It’s always nice. They work hard,” he said. “They all have dreams and now it kind of comes real a little bit.”

He said Viel simply made himself difficult to cut.

“It was him who did it. For us, it was an easy decision,” he said. “I really liked what I saw. Not only on the ice, but he’s a tremendous guy. Guys like him in the room. He does his job and works.”

Viel hoped this is just step one.

“It feels good. Just getting started,” he said. “Now the goal is to keep it here and keep going. I feel like I’ve had a good camp. A couple good games and just working hard every day in practice. I felt good on the ice and off the ice. A lot of confidence.”

The Bruins open the 2025-26 season on Wednesday at Washington and then play at home against Chicago on Thursday.

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