Button and Cantin on the Move Again

Providence Roster Shuffles Again

Button and Cantin Reassigned to Reading
December 30, 2011

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that the Boston Bruins have reassigned defensemen Ryan Button and Marc Cantin to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.


Button, 20, has registered one assist in 12 games for Providence this season. A native of Edmonton, AB, Button joined the P-Bruins for seven games at the end of last season and tallied on assist. Boston's third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the rookie blue liner spent four years in the Western Hockey League, including three with the Prince Albert Raiders before a mid-season trade brought him to the Seattle Thunderbirds last season. In 2008-09 with Prince Albert, Button scored a career-high 32 assists and 37 points in 70 regular season games.


Cantin, 21, has gone scoreless in 14 games for Providence this season. The Omemee, ON native made his professional debut on October 7 with the P-Bruins after spending four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. Last season with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, the rookie blue liner recorded a career-high 41 points en route to playing in the Memorial Cup for the second consecutive year and third time in his junior career. Cantin was signed to an entry-level contract by Boston on March 23, 2011.


The Royals (12-12-3-3, 30 PTS) are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division. Last season, the Royals clinched first place in the Atlantic Division with a 44-23-2-3 record. The club advanced to the second round of the playoffs, before falling to the Kalamazoo Wings in four games. Button and Cantin join former P-Bruins Yannick Riendeau, Rob Kwiet, Olivier Labelle, Marvin Degon and Karel St. Laurent.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence Signs Another Forward to PTO

Providence Adds Former UMass-Lowell River Hawk
December 28, 2011

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the club has signed center Bobby Robins to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

Robbins, of Peshtigo, WI has spent this season with the Abbotsford Heat and the Chicago Express (ECHL). In 28 games for Chicago, Robins has registered seven goals and eight assists and leads the team in penalty minutes with 123. Robins, in his sixth professional season, has made stops in various AHL and ECHL cities including Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester, Albany and Syracuse. The centerman jumped the pond in 2008 to play for the Belfast Giants of the EIHL and then Jesenice in Austria the following season. In 105 AHL games over four seasons, Robbins has registered 11+11=22 totals.

A four-year product of UMass-Lowell, Robins led the River Hawks in scoring with 31 points during his senior season. The 6'1", 220-pound winger made his professional debut following his final campaign at Lowell in 2005-06 with the Binghamton Senators, registering seven points in 16 games. Robins, 30, tallied a career-high 46 points in 2008-09 with Belfast en route to winning the EIHL Challenge Cup. 

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com     

Some Providence Numbers to Ponder

The Numbers Game
by T. Chace Jr.
December 26, 2011

As the AHL season approaches its halfway point it is interesting to see the numbers that the Providence Bruins have put up so far.  They are telling a story of problems and promise. Here are some things to think about:

• Providence has won 4 games in a row, and along with San Antonio, are on the hottest streak in the AHL.
• They are facing 4 games in 6 nights this week, all on the road. This should be a great barometer of where they're going.
• 31 Games played - 13-15-1-2
• Winning Percentage of 46.8%
• Just 66 Goals Scored - 30th (last) in the AHL - 2.13 goals/game
• They have allowed 92 Goals Against - 20th in the AHL - 2.97 goals against/game
• Power Play - 29th in the AHL - 11.9% - 16 goals in 135 chances
• Penalty Kill - A very respectable 11th in the AHL - 83.1% 
• Leading Scorer - Rookie Carter Camper - 20 points - 7 goals & 13 assists - 10th in the AHL in Rookie Scoring
• Leading Goal Scorer - Josh Hennessey - 9 goals
• Goaltenders Goals Agoainst Average - 2.85 & a Save Percentage of .914
• Home Record - 8-8-1-1
• Road Record - 5-7-0-1
• Penalty Minutes - 21st in the AHL - 467 minutes
• 25 Fighting Majors in 31 games
• Tied for 1st in the AHL with Shootout Wins - 5
• 2nd in the AHL in Shootout Points - 15
• Jamie Arniel tied for 1st in Shootout Goals - 6
• Providence is 8-2-0-1 when Scoring First Goal of Game
• Providence is 30th (last) in 1st Period Goals Scored - 15
• Providence Goals Allowed in 1st period - 29
• Attendance - 7th in the AHL - 6210 people/avg.

The problem is quite clear. SCORE MORE. Of course, that is easier said than done.  After examining these figures it clearly shows a need for more goal scoring which would boost the power play numbers as well.  It shows that the recent streak may be the only way they can win.  Great goaltending, timely scoring, and really good penalty killing.  There is a huge need for the veteran players to really start to contribute on the scoring side of things.

The team needs really strong defensive play and has to improve and limit quality shots by their opponents.  Make the shots more difficult and from the perimeter. No end to end rushes allowed. Be more physical.

Score more goals early and limit your opponents from getting on the board first, particularly at home where you have had great support.  All of this sounds easy but the numbers are there for everyone to see.  It should be very interesting as we move forward.

Providence Brings in Another Forward

Koger Gets PTO
December 26, 2011

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the club has signed forward Daniel Koger to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

Koger, of Szekesfehervar, Hungary, has split time this season between the St. John's IceCaps and the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL). In 14 games for Cincinnati, Koger has registered five goals and six assists. Koger is in his second professional season in North America. The right wing spent his rookie season with the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League, skating in 64 games and finishing third on the team in scoring with 52 points (29g, 23a).

Prior to making his professional debut in North America, Koger played two seasons in the Austrian Hockey League. The 6'2", 195-pound winger made his professional debut in 2008-09 with Salzburg and recorded three points in 18 games. Koger, 22, registered seven goals and nine assists in 40 games with Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan in 2009-10.

 

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

 

Jordan Caron Back Again

Boston Sends Caron Back to Providence
December 23, 2011

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned forward Jordan Caron to the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League).

Caron has appeared in 13 games for Boston this season with one goal and two assists and has been a healthy scratch in his last three games. He has skated in five games for Providence this year with 1-4=5 totals.

Caron was drafted by the Bruins in the first round (25th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2010-11 season he notched 12 goals and 16 assists in 47 games with the P-Bruins and 3 goals and 4 assists in 23 games with Boston.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

More Roster Movement For Providence

Caron and Kampfer Recalled; Button Returns from Reading
December 19, 2011

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has recalled forward Jordan Caron and defenseman Steven Kampfer from the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League). Both players were assigned to Providence on Friday, December 16 and played in two games this weekend for Providence, both wins, with Caron picking up an assist. In a separate transaction, defenseman Ryan Button has been assigned from the Reading Royals (ECHL) to Providence.

Caron has appeared in 13 games for Boston this season with one goal and two assists. Caron has been a healthy scratch in the last two games for Boston. Caron was drafted by the Bruins in the first round (25th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2010-11 season he notched 12 goals and 16 assists in 47 games with the P-Bruins and 3 goals and 4 assists in 23 games with Boston.

Kampfer missed the first six games of this NHL season due to an injury sustained in preseason but since his return, Kampfer has skated in seven games for Boston this season and has registered one assist.

Kampfer was originally drafted by Anaheim in the fifth round (93rd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to Boston for a 2010 4th round pick before playing any games with Anaheim. In the 2010-11 season, his first year full year in the pros, Kampfer recorded three goals and 13 assists in 22 games with the P-Bruins and received his first NHL call-up on December 8, 2010. Through 38 games with Boston that season, the blueliner had five goals and five assists.

Both players made the Boston Bruins roster straight out of training camp; it was Caron's second year achieving this and Kampfer's first.

Button, 20, was assigned to Reading on Friday and appeared in one game for the Royals on Saturday. The defenseman has appeared in four games for the Royals this season.

A native of Edmonton, AB, Button joined the P-Bruins for seven games at the end of last season and tallied an assist. Boston's third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the rookie blue liner spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League, including three with the Prince Albert Raiders before a mid-season trade brought him to the Seattle Thunderbirds last season. In 2008-09 with Prince Albert, Button scored a career-high 32 assists and 37 points in 70 regular season games.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com
          

Boston Bruins_Providence Bruins Alumni Game - Slideshow

Ryan Button Back To Reading Royals

Defenseman Assigned Back to ECHL Affiliate
December 17, 2011

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that the Boston Bruins have assigned defenseman Ryan Button to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

Button, 20, has registered one assist in 11 games for Providence this season. A native of Edmonton, AB, Button joined the P-Bruins for seven games at the end of last season and tallied on assist. Boston's third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the rookie blue liner spent four years in the Western Hockey League, including three with the Prince Albert Raiders before a mid-season trade brought him to the Seattle Thunderbirds last season. In 2008-09 with Prince Albert, Button scored a career-high 32 assists and 37 points in 70 regular season games.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Caron and Kampfer Back Again

Boston Assigns the Pair Back to Providence
December 16, 2011

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned forward Jordan Caron and defenseman Steven Kampfer to the Providence Bruins. Both Caron and Kampfer are expected to play in Providence's games this weekend on Saturday, December 17 in Connecticut and Sunday, December 18 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center versus Bridgeport.

Caron, of Sayabec, PQ, has skated in 13 contests for Boston this season and has registered one goal and two assists. In his career, the forward has played in 34 NHL games, recording 4-6=10 totals and 10 penalty minutes. He was assigned to Providence on December 1, 2011 and played in two games in which he tallied a goal and two assists, before being recalled back to Boston on December 3. In 47 games with Providence last season, Caron recorded 12+16=28 totals and 16 penalty minutes. His 12 goals and 28 points ranked second among rookies on the Providence squad.

The 20-year-old was originally drafted by the Bruins in the first round (25th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Kampfer, 23, missed the first six games of this NHL season due to an injury sustained in preseason. Since his return, he has played in seven games for Boston, registering one assist. In 2010-11, his rookie season, the Ann Arbor, MI native skated in 22 games with Providence, recording 3+13=16 totals and a team-high plus-10 rating. He earned his first NHL recall on December 8, 2010 and skated in 38 games for Boston, during which the blueliner tallied five goals and five assists.

Originally drafted by Anaheim in the fifth round (93rd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Kampfer was traded to Boston for a 2010 4th round pick on March 2, 2010.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence Adds Another Rookie

Holy Cross Grad Signed to PTO

December 15, 2011

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the club has signed forward Everett Sheen to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

A native of Lethbridge, AB, Sheen made his professional debut with the Reading Royals (ECHL) on October 15. In 19 games with the Royals this season, the forward has recorded 2+3=5 totals and eight penalty minutes.

Sheen is a four-year product of the College of the Holy Cross. As the captain in 2010-11, Sheen recorded a career-high and 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points. The 6'0", 185 lb. forward's 35 points as a senior ranked second among the Crusaders. The 25-year-old finished his collegiate career with 104 points on 52 goals and 52 assists.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence Trying to Stay Afloat

Good Starts Are Key
December 14, 2011
By Thomas R. Chace Jr.

Most Friday nights the Providence Bruins play at home and draw large crowds that have been patient, yet anxious for victories.  Week after week, loss after loss, I have been charged with interviewing Head Coach “Butch” Cassidy.  Every week it seems we discuss the same problematic issues.  Finally, last Friday we were able to greet each other with a smile.


Cassidy has been preaching the importance of getting off to a good start in front of the packed Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Friday nights.  Time after time, the opposition would get the first goal and with a lack of scoring punch, Providence would struggle mightily to get those early goals back. Cassidy said “It’s the coach’s responsibility to prepare your team to play and give them information, and it’s the individual as a pro to get themselves ready.  We need to find the right balance there. It’s frustrating, we have great support here and we want to use that to our advantage.”


Youth has also been a major factor in the fate of the team thus far.  Providence has dressed nine or ten first year players in the lineup for some games this year.  Cassidy was adamant that his job is to develop those young players so he hates to use that as an excuse.  The fact of the matter is that many of his opponents have numerous veteran players who have a great deal of experience on a professional level. Composure and confidence have to be learned at this level and that process is continuing on a weekly basis. 


The recent return of team Captain Trent Whitfield is a huge boost on the ice and more importantly in the locker room.  Whitfield’s veteran presence is invaluable with this year’s young squad.  Cassidy says Whitfield is like a third coach who can carry their message to the players without them in the room.  Whitfield saw too many games from the stands while he was injured and looks forward to pushing and educating the rookies now that he’s back on the ice.


“We’re losing the ability to win battle” states Cassidy.  “We’ve got to cut down the opponent’s chances in front.  Win the battles, be hard on your stick, all of this comes with experience.” Several of the rookies including Carter Camper have improved faster than others. Camper surprisingly is the team’s leading scorer.  Cassidy says that “Carter is a good player, he makes plays, and he’s starting to come into his own.  He has figured out what he can get away with, protecting the puck against bigger players, not getting knocked around, he puts himself in good positions.” Cassidy would like to see more players figure out what they can and cannot do at this level.


After not winning a game in nine tries, Providence came out last Friday against Manchester and scored first and got off to that good start they have longed for.  Cassidy claimed “we’ve got a long way to go, I know that, but we’re moving the puck, supporting one another, but we need to be consistent now.”  Cassidy chose to start backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson over veteran Anton Khudobin and “Hutch” was rewarded with his first victory of the year. 


Hutchinson, 21, an exuberant second year netminder was smiling ear to ear after his first victory.  “It’s been a long time coming, I’ve been getting frustrated a little, I can have a little more confidence in games now.”  He played well on Saturday night in Connecticut as well, but Providence dropped a 3-0 decision with “Hutch” making 31 saves on 33 shots.  Veteran Anton “Dobie” Khudobin redeemed the loss with a solid performance on Sunday, in a roughly played 3-2 rematch victory over Connecticut.  Once again the baby B’s got the lead early in front of the home crowd and rode home to victory.  Providence enjoyed a four point weekend and hopes to continue their winning ways this Friday as they face the Springfield Falcons.


Providence finds themselves in a tough division with scoring liabilities, specialty team shortcomings, and youth working against them.  However, they won’t be young forever and should grow into better players with a better sense of how to play at this level.   Perhaps the coach will not age as fast either, if they can score early and make things more difficult for their opponents to score.  It’s great to see a smile after a game instead of the same redundant expression.

Zach Hamill Gets Second Recall to Boston

Injury to Gregory Campbell Leads to Emergency Recall
December 13, 2011


Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has recalled forward Zach Hamill from the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League) on an emergency basis.

Hamill was recalled once previously this season on November 9 and played in two games for Boston, registering one assist, a plus 3 rating while averaging 9:03 of ice time.

Through 25 AHL games this season, Hamill tallied 7-7=14 totals, which ranks third on the P-Bruins in scoring. Last season, Hamill spent the majority of the year in Providence and finished second on the team in scoring with 9-34=43 totals. He was recalled once to Boston from February 3 - 13, 2011 and tallied one assist in three NHL games.

Hamill has skated in six career NHL games with 0-3=3 totals. He made his NHL debut on April 11, 2010 against Washington and recorded his first career NHL assist/point in that game.

He was originally drafted by the Bruins in the first round (8th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

*Information was gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence Signs Rookie D-Man

Providence Bruins Sign Jordan Southorn
December 11, 2011

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jordon Southorn to a Professional Tryout Agreement.


A native of Montréal, PQ, Southorn made his professional debut with the Trenton Titans (ECHL) in 2010-11. In 19 games with the Titans this season, the blue liner has recorded 3+7=10 totals and 11 penalty minutes.


Southorn is a four-year product of the Prince Edward Island Rocket of the QMJHL. In his final junior season in 2009-10, Southorn finished third among defensemen in points with 23. The 6'3", 200 lb. defenseman led the Rocket blue liners in scoring in 2008-09 with a career-high 35 assists and 41 points. The 21 year-old finished his junior career with 27 goals and 78 assists for 105 points in 258 regular season games.


The defenseman was selected 104th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence College's MacKinnon Back in Fold

Rookie Kyle MacKinnon Called Up From Reading
December 7, 2001

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that forward Kyle MacKinnon has been returned to the Providence Bruins from the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

MacKinnon, 24, went pointless in two games with the Royals since being loaned to the club on December 2. The forward has recorded 1+1=2 totals in 19 games for Providence this season.


A native of Walnut, CA, MacKinnon joined the P-Bruins for five games at the end of last season, tallying one goal and two assists. The forward is a four-year product of Providence College. As a co-captain in 2010-11, MacKinnon led the Friars in goals scored for the second consecutive year and recorded a career-high 14 goals in 2010-11. He finished his collegiate career with 71 points on 37 goals and 34 assists.


Last season, the Royals clinched first place in the Atlantic Division with a 44-23-2-3 record. The club advanced to the second round of the playoffs, before falling to the Kalamazoo Wings in four games.


*Information gathered from http://www.providencebruins.com/

Boston Recalls Two Providence Players

Jordan Caron and Steve Kampfer Returning to Big Club
December 4, 2011

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has recalled forward Jordan Caron and defenseman Steven Kampfer from the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League). After playing two games in Providence on Friday and Saturday, Caron and Kampfer will accompany Boston on their two-game road trip to Pittsburghand Winnipeg. Please note they are not expected to practice with the Bruins on Sunday, December 4.


Caron has played in 11 games for Boston so far this season and has registered one goal and two assists. He has appeared in three games for Providence this year with one goal and three assists. His goal came during last night's game against Manchester (Saturday, December 3).


Caron was drafted by the Bruins in the first round (25th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2010-2011 season he notched 12 goals and 16 assists in 47 games with the P-Bruins and 3 goals and 4 assists in 23 games with Boston.


Kampfer missed the first six games of this NHL season due to an injury sustained in preseason but since his return, he has played five games for Boston, tallying one assist. He saw his first game action with Providence this weekend and collected one assist.


Kampfer was originally drafted by Anaheim in the fifth round (93rd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to Boston for a 2010 4th round pick before playing any games with Anaheim. In the 2010-11 season, his first year full year in the pros, Kampfer recorded three goals and 13 assists in 22 games with the P-Bruins and received his first NHL call-up on December 8th. Through 38 games with Boston that season, the blueliner had five goals and five assists.


Both players made the Boston Bruins roster straight out of training camp; it was Caron's second year achieving this and Kampfer's first.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com