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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Providence Training Camp Begins


Providence Opens Camp Filled With Optimism
By T. Chace Jr.
September 29, 2010


After a disappointing 2009-10 season in which the Providence Bruins did not make the playoffs, optimism abounds this year. With so many injuries and call-ups to the big club in Boston last season, it seemed the AHL club never dressed the same team twice.

Training camp opened on September 28th at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island’s capital city with 26 players, some of whom were on tryout agreements. Many of the players who expected to see action this year were still in camp with Boston. However, as of this writing, Joe Colborne, Zach Hamill, Steve Kampfer, Jeff LoVecchio, Wyatt Smith, and Jeremy Reich were sent down today, so the roster is still in flux. Providence plays the Worcester Sharks on September 29th in their first of two exhibition games and many of the established players will sit out.

Goaltending will be interesting to watch this year as Adam Courchaine, Matt Dalton, and Mike Hutchinson all saw action in net at training camp. All three looked impressive, calm, and seemed to relish their opportunity. The defense boasts returning players Andy Bodnarchuk, Alain Goulet, Jeff Penner, and Cody Wild. Training camp d-men included Russian Yury Alexandrov, veteran Nathan McIver and players on tryout agreements Jack Christian, Matt Delahy, Ryan Donald, Matt Generous, Brandon Gentile, and Todd Perry. Forwards on tryout agreements include Casey Haines, Devin Timberlake, and WHL goal scorer, Walker Wintoneak. Wintoneak had 31 goals in 2008-09 and 25 goals and 49 assists in 2009-10 for the Saskatoon Blades. Returning forwards include Jordan Knackstead, enforcer Lane MacDermid, veteran Kirk MacDonald, Levi Nelson, Yannick Riendeau, and Max Sauve. Newcomer Antoine Roussel and Jordan Smotherman rounded out camp. Training camp is missing Providence captain from last year, Trent Whitfield, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury while training for the new season.

The Providence coaching staff, led by Head Coach Rob Murray and Asst. Coach “Butch” Cassidy, was joined on the ice by Reading Royals Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Larry Courville. Many of the players in camp will end up in Reading, the ECHL affiliate of both Boston and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The whole Bruins organization and their fans are excited about the possibilities the 2010-11 season. Let the games begin!

Providence Wins First Exhibition Game

PROVIDENCE 4, WORCESTER 0
September 29, 2010

Providence goaltender Matt Dalton turned in a 22-save shutout performance as the Bruins took a 4-0 win over Worcester in Marlboro, Mass., in the preseason opener for both squads.

Dalton, who went winless in five appearances for Providence as a rookie in 2009-10, sandwiched a seven-save second period between 10-save efforts in the first and third frames.

Yannick Riendeau led the way with a goal and two assists for the Bruins, who raced out to a 2-0 first-period lead and never looked back. Antoine Roussel, Casey Haines, and defenseman Brandon Gentile also scored in the victory.

Carter Hutton (13 saves on 15 shots) and Kevin Reiter (10/12) tended goal for the Sharks.

*Info courtesy of www.theahl.com

Friday, September 3, 2010

Bruins Sign Wyatt Smith

Veteran Forward Signsed to Offset Loss of Trent Whitfield
September 3, 2010

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed forward Wyatt Smith to a one-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed.The 33-year-old Smith is a veteran of 211 NHL games splitting his time between five NHL Teams: the Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. Last season, Smith skated with AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins totaling 13-35=48 in 76 games played. He also added 70 penalty minutes. Smith signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh in July of 2009.Smith made his NHL debut in the 1999-2000 season, appearing in two games for the Coyotes.

The 5’11”, 205-pound native of Thief River Falls, MN, was originally selected by Phoenix in the ninth round (233rd overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

*Information gathered from www.bostonbruins.com