If he shows nothing else, Justin Brazeau has demonstrated he’s got the quality of perseverance.

Undrafted out of the Ontario Hockey League, the now-26-year-old Brazeau started in the ECHL and has spent his entire pro career in the minors, going from the Newfoundland Growlers to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) to the Maine Mariners (ECHL) to the Providence Bruins.

Finally, the Bruins signed him to his first NHL contract on Sunday, a two-way pact worth an NHL salary of $775,000. He’ll make his NHL debut in Monday’s matinee against the Dallas Stars.

“I love it,” said coach Jim Montgomery. “I mean, what a great story. He’s someone who I think started out on an East Coast two-way (AHL) deal and fought his way to earn an American league deal and now he’s earned his way all the way up. It’s a great story. It’s the best thing you appreciate about anyone in life. No one starts as a CEO, right? You hope to end up being a CEO. Here he is, his dream is to play in the NHL and he’s worked his way up to earn this opportunity. It’s a great story and I’m grateful to be a part of it, to be honest.”

Brazeau brings something the Bruins’ forward crew could use – size. He’s 6-foot-5 and a beefy 245 pounds, a frame he uses to protect the puck well. He’s also shown to have some touch. He’s got 18-19-37 totals and is plus-24.

“He’s someone who all year has made his linemates better,” said Montgomery of Brazeau’s scouting report. “It doesn’t matter who they’ve played him with. He’s been able to make them better. He’s a puck possession guy, he’s heavy down low, so he fits what we’re looking for to add to the bottom six, so it’s an opportunity for him. He’s been a great player down in the American league and we want to see if that’s going to translate to the NHL.”

His size doesn’t mean he’s a brawler. Brazeau has just 14 penalty minutes. While the pugilism is a dying art form in the NHL, skating is not, and the big question is whether he’ll be able to keep up with NHL players.

But regardless of how this turns out for him, no one can say Brazeau didn’t earn his chance…

Meanwhile, the defense corps will stay the same and Jeremy Swayman will be in net for the B’s.