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Bruins Teammates Stumble Into Hilarious Housing Situation
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- Bruins Teammates Stumble Into Hilarious Housing Situation
Bruins Teammates Stumble Into Hilarious Housing Situation originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Connor Clifton 's return to the Boston Bruins created an unexpected problem for one of his new teammates.
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Fortunately, nobody is getting evicted.
Clifton returned to Boston on a two-year contract worth $4.5 million July 1, rejoining the organization where he spent the first five seasons of his NHL career. The veteran defenseman already owned a condominium in the area, but there was one minor complication.
He recently rented it to Bruins forward Alex Steeves .
Neither player knew at the time that they soon would become teammates.
Connor Clifton Accidentally Rented Home To Bruins Teammate
Clifton and Steeves connected while representing the United States at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Steeves needed a place to live in Boston after joining the Bruins, and Clifton happened to have one available.
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"I said, 'Here. Here is my place,'" Clifton told BostonBruins.com's Belle Fraser . "Sent him a bunch of pictures and all that. When he got back, he went to see it; he said he was in."
The transaction initially made perfect sense. Clifton had spent the previous three seasons away from Boston, playing two years for the Buffalo Sabres before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins . There was little reason for him to believe he would need the condo again.
Then free agency arrived. Clifton signed with the Bruins, instantly turning Steeves' new landlord into his new teammate. Steeves soon sent a text asking the obvious question.
"Fast forward like three weeks, July 1. He texted me, and I think he said, quote, 'Damn, what does this mean?'" Clifton recalled. "Next message: 'But congrats though.'"
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Steeves apparently did not need to worry. Clifton and his wife, Amanda, were planning to search for a larger home with a yard for their two-year-old daughter, Callie.
"It all works out," Clifton said.
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Clifton Returns To A Different Bruins Team
The unusual arrangement is a fitting introduction to Clifton's second stint in Boston. He is returning to familiar surroundings, but much of the organization has changed since his 2023 departure. Clifton estimated that only six players remain from his first run with the Bruins. Charlie McAvoy is among them, and the two defensemen already have resumed training together during offseason workouts at Boston University.
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Boston also is the place where Clifton enjoyed the best season of his career. He recorded career highs with five goals, 18 assists and 23 points across 78 games during the Bruins' record-setting 2022-23 regular season. Clifton believes the organization's identity remains intact despite the significant roster turnover.
"Every time we came to the Garden, it was just a battle of a matchup, usually low scoring," Clifton told the team's website. "It is a gritty group of guys. They play so hard, structured in the D-zone. That is kind of the style I have played my best hockey — was in Boston."
His physical approach and right-handed shot should give the Bruins another experienced option on the blue line. The two-year commitment and $2.25 million annual salary also reflect more than a sentimental reunion.
Boston expects Clifton to compete for a meaningful role.
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The 31-year-old now gets to begin that competition in a city his family already considers home. He simply will not be returning to the property he expected.
That belongs to his teammate now.
