Boston Recalls Four Providence Players

Promotions Still Continue For Providence
Larman, Lehtonen, Sabourin and Sauve Get the Call
April 13, 2010

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, who recently concluded their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have recalled forwards Drew Larman, Mikko Lehtonen and Maxime Sauve, along with goaltender Dany Sabourin from Providence. Larman, Lehtonen, Sabourin and Sauve will join forward Zach Hamill and train in Providence as the Bruins open the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. All five players will be available to participate in Bruins practices during the playoffs and will also be available for the Bruins playoff roster. There may be additional players recalled subject to players' availability.

Larman, 24, appeared in 55 games for Providence this season, scoring 12 points, including six goals and six assists. The last contest of the P-Bruins' season marked the 300th game of Larman's professional career. His play this year was limited by injury, missing 22 straight games from February 12 to March 28. The undrafted center has also suited up for four NHL games this season over two January recalls to Boston, going scoreless. He made his Bruins debut on January 18 against the Ottawa Senators. Prior to signing with Boston on July 13, 2009, Larman spent the majority of his first four pro seasons with the Rochester Americans, twice winning the team's McCulloch Trophy for outstanding community service. The fifth-year pro enjoyed previous NHL experience with the Florida Panthers, dressing for 22 games with three points (2g, a) from 2006-08. In his career, the Canton, Michigan, native has suited up for 308 games between the regular season and playoffs, amassing 109 points (56g, 53a).

Lehtonen, 23, led the P-Bruins with 23 goals and 50 points in a team-best 78 games this season after also pacing the club in goals with 28 as a rookie last year. The PlanetUSA All-Star starter registered 11 multiple-point games on the season, along with four point-streaks of at least three games. Lehtonen appeared in one game for Boston this year, going scoreless against the Montreal Canadiens on November 5, 2009. The Espoo, Finland, native was drafted by the Bruins 83rd overall in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In two pro seasons, Lehtonen has dressed for 166 total games, recording 83 goals and 57 assists for 110 points. He has appeared in two career NHL games.

Sabourin, 29, went 28-27-0 with three shutouts in a career-high 56 games for Providence this year, along with a 2.67 goals-against-average and .915 save percentage. Sabourin allowed two goals or fewer in 32 of his 56 games. He was recalled to Boston on March 5 and served as a back-up to Tim Thomas in two games before returning to the P-Bruins. In 11 pro seasons, Sabourin has played in 57 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins, compiling an 18-25-4 mark and 2.87 GAA. The native of Val d'Or, Quebec, was selected by Calgary 108th overall in round four of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed by the Bruins as a free agent on July 7, 2009.

Sauve, 20, joined Providence on an Amateur Tryout Agreement on March 31 following the conclusion of his junior season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Val d'Or Foreurs. The center appeared in six games for Providence to finish the regular season, scoring two goals. Both of his goals came in his professional debut on April 2 against the Worcester Sharks to finish as the game's top star. In juniors, Sauve's fourth season was limited by injury but the forward still finished with 35 points (13g, 22a) in his 25 regular season games. He added seven points (5g, 2a) in six postseason outings. In his junior career, split between Val d'Or and the Quebec Remparts, Sauve scored 192 points (76g, 116a) in 219 regular season games, along with 12 points (7g, 5a) in 12 playoff contests. The Tours, France, native was selected by Boston 47th overall in round two of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and signed an entry-level contract with the Bruins on December 2, 2009.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com