Little did Acciari know that less than one year later, March 1, 2016, he would be back skating at the arena, this time in a Bruins uniform, making his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames.

On April 11, 2015, Acciari was on the ice with his Providence College teammates celebrating the school's first national championship after a 4-3 victory against Boston University. The venue was TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins.

On April 11, 2015, Acciari was on the ice with his Providence College teammates celebrating the school's first national championship after a 4-3 victory against Boston University. The venue was TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins.

Little did Acciari know that less than one year later, March 1, 2016, he would be back skating at the arena, this time in a Bruins uniform, making his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames.

Then again, hockey success has always come close to home for 5-foot-10, 203-pound center from Johnston, Rhode Island, 60 miles from Boston. Acciari gained notice locally by helping Bishop Hendricken High School from nearby Warwick win the 2007 state championship in Providence.

Three years later, Acciari joined the Providence College hockey program. Over three seasons he showed offensive touch and a desire to excel in the defensive aspects of the game. Acciari scored 15 goals and 32 points during the Friars' championship season and was named the NCAA East Regional Most's Outstanding Player and the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Year.

On June 3, 2015, the undrafted Acciari signed an entry-level contract with the Bruins. The following season he scored 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 45 games for Providence of the American Hockey League before playing 19 games with Boston.

After helping the Bruins advance to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Blues, Acciari signed a three-year contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1. He was named the NHL First Star for the week ending Dec. 22 after scoring seven goals in three games, including consecutive hat tricks.

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