Providence Streaking in Right Direction

Boys to Men
January 30, 2012
By Thomas Chace Jr.

The AHL All-Star Game will be played tonight in Atlantic City, NJ.  No tickets will be left for “Nucky” Thompson to attend.  Despite being over the halfway point of the regular season it’s a good place to measure your team’s success and find ways to improve your team with a little over 30 games remaining.

The Providence Bruins only all-star representative is rookie Carter Camper who leads the team in points and has missed only one game this season.  Carter was able to figure out early what he could and couldn’t do in his first professional season.  The rest of the team is comprised of another seven or eight rookies who did not “get it” or flourish for much of the early season.  Recently, it appears that these older boys are fast becoming young men.  With a five game point streak and just two regulation losses in their last ten games, the young men are starting to come around.

Ranked tenth in the Eastern Conference, the Bruins are just two points out of the playoffs.  Providence has three Atlantic Division foes ahead of them; Portland, Worcester, and Manchester.  Manchester has 50 points and has played an equal amount of games as the Bruins.  Worcester and Portland have several games in hand, but it should be a battle for the rest of the season within the division.

The fact that they even have a chance with their goal scoring deficiencies is quite amazing.  Their leading goal scorer, Josh Hennessey, has 13 goals. The only other Bruin to have double digit goals scored is Camper with 10.  The Providence club is last in the entire league with just 2.31 goals per game.  Not a lot of room for error.  Lately, the lack of errors has allowed them to win games.  On the positive side, they are allowing only 2.84 goals per game, which ranks them 12^th best in the league.  Likewise, their power-play is dreadful, but their penalty killing is 5^th best in the AHL. 

Head Coach “Butch” Cassidy likes where the team is headed.  Most of the early issues dealt with the sheer number of first year players on the club, the teaching and implementing of the Boston Bruins systems, some veteran injuries, and shuffling of lines and players.  Cassidy states, “We’ve corrected some of our issues, at least away from the puck.  We’re breaking out of our end much cleaner.  We also have not allowed a lot of sustained pressure in our end of the ice.”

With those improvements and a young team gaining confidence weekly, it’s possible that the goals could start coming.  A big road win a week ago against a strong Wilkes-Barre/Scranton club really had emotions running high.  Emotion is what you want and what you need to succeed in a quest for the playoffs.  The fans have been consistently attending all year and Providence is poised to give them something to get excited about as spring approaches.  Good starts are paramount to this club.  In games when Providence scores the first goal, the Bruins are 15-3-0-1.  When leading after the first period, they are 10-1-0-1.

They may have gotten off to a slow start but what really matters is the finish.  Cassidy says, “This group has been resilient all year.”  Will that positive trait and the ability of all the rookies to finally “get it” propel them into the playoffs for the first time in several seasons?  Stay tuned…

Hutch is Back as Expected

Expected to Practice with Boston on Monday
January 30, 2012


The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that the Boston Bruins have recalled goaltender Michael Hutchinson. Hutchinson is expected to join the Bruins on Monday, January 30 for their practice at the TD Garden in Boston, MA and will be reassigned after practice.

Hutchinson, 21, has appeared in 12 games for Providence this season, compiling a 3-8-0 record and a .915 save percentage. On January 26, Hutchinson was reassigned to the Reading Royals of the ECHL from the P-Bruins. In his latest assignment to Reading, Hutchinson went 1-1 and compiled a 3.50 GAA and .915 save percentage. A native of Barrie, ON Hutchinson made his professional debut on October 8, 2010 and his first professional win and start on October 9 at Springfield. Last season, Hutchinson saw time in 18 games with Reading, compiling a 9-5-4 record and 2.86 GAA. Before turning pro, Hutchinson spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, including three with the Barrie Colts and one with the London Knights.

The Royals (18-19-3-3, 42 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.

Rookie Carter Camper will represent the team at the AHL All-Star Classic in Atlantic City, NJ tonight at 7 p.m.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Hutch Sent to Reading During Break

Second Year Pro Appeared in 12 Games for Providence
January 26, 2012


The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that the Boston Bruins have reassigned goaltender Michael Hutchinson to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

Hutchinson, 21, has appeared in 12 games for Providence this season, compiling a 3-8-0 record and a .915 save percentage. A native of Barrie, ON Hutchinson made his professional debut on October 8, 2010 and his first professional win and start on October 9 at Springfield. Last season, Hutchinson saw time in 18 games with Reading, compiling a 9-5-4 record and 2.86 GAA. Before turning pro, Hutchinson spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, including three with the Barrie Colts and one with the London Knights.

The Royals (16-18-3-3, 38 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. Hutchinson joins former P-Bruins Ryan Button, Rob Kwiet, Olivier Labelle and Karel St. Laurent.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Good Home Win Tonight

Providence Beats Worcester 3-2
January 20, 2012
by Thomas Chace Jr.

In front of a packed house, the Providence Bruins held on for a 3-2 victory over their division rival the Worcester Sharks.  Rookie Craig Cunningham scored the game winner early in the third period at the 3:28 mark. 

Worcester trailed all night long.  Providence defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk scored his 4th goal of the season at 16:22 of the first period to take a 1-0 lead.  Providence was outshot by Worcester 12-8 in the period but Bruin goaltender Anton Khudobin kept the Sharks at bay.

Yannick Riendeau scored his 3rd goal of the season for the Bruins early in period two at the 2:53 mark with assists to Bodnarchuk and Cunningham.  Worcester countered with a goal of their own at 14:15 when Ryan DelMonte lit the lamp to make it a 2-1 game.  That's how the period ended. Providence outshot the Sharks in the second with a 10-8 advantage.

There were two fights in the second period. Lane MacDermid pretty much pummeled Taylor Doherty in the corner after a delayed whistle and shoving by both teams.  Doherty who is huge at 6'7" and 230 pounds only had 32 penalty minutes all year, so his pugilistic skills are in question.  The other bout occurred immediately following DelMonte's goal and featured Bobby Robins of Providence and 6'5" Matt Pelech of Worcester.  Pelech got the better of a short bout that never really got going.

The third period was similar to the second period. An early goal by Providence followed by a goal by Worcester midway through the period.  Rookie Craig Cunningham's goal to make it 3-1 stood up until the 10:51 mark when Marek Viedensky scored to make it 3-2. Anton Khudobin held the fort in net and Providence was able to get two big points at home.


*Bodnarchuk & Cunningham each had 3 point games tonight

Caron and Kampfer Back in RI

Both Expected to Play this Weekend
January 20, 2012


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 Friday, January 20 in Providence, Saturday, January 21 in Worcester and Sunday, January 22 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center versus Springfield.

Caron, of Sayabec, PQ, has skated in 17 contests for Boston this season and has registered two goals and two assists. In his career, the forward has played in 34 NHL games, recording 4-6=10 totals and 10 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 12 games for the P-Bruins this season, with 2-7=9 totals. 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. He has skated in four games for Providence this season, registering one assist and four penalty minutes. 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

Daniel Koger Released From PTO

Rookie Appeared in Five Games for Providence
January 16, 2012

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, announced today that forward Daniel Koger has been released from his Professional Tryout Agreement.

Koger went scoreless in five games for the P-Bruins since he was signed to a Professional Tryout Agreement on December 26. The Szekesfehervar, Hungary native 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

Ryan Button Back in Providence

Rookie Tallied First Pro Goal in Latest Trip to Reading
January 9, 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 Providence Bruins from the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

Button, 20, was assigned to Reading on December 30 and tallied a goal, his first professional, and two assists, in four games for the Royals. 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.

The Royals (14-14-3-3, 34 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. In Reading, Button joined former P-Bruins Yannick Riendeau, Rob Kwiet, Olivier Labelle, Marvin Degon and Karel St. Laurent.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Congratulations to AHL All-Star Carter Camper

Rookie Will Represent Eastern Conference in Atlantic City
January 4, 2012

The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that leading scorer Carter Camper has been named to the Eastern Conference All-Star roster for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic. The event is scheduled for January 29-30 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.


Camper paces Providence with eight goals and 23 points in 34 games this season. The rookie forward has contributed seven multiple-point games and a team-high 15 assists this year.


Undrafted, Camper made his professional debut with the Providence Bruins on April 8 and recorded his first professional point, an assist, the following night in Springfield. The 23 year-old signed an entry-level contract with Boston on April 7.


Camper is a four-year product of Miami University Ohio, where as co-captain in 2010-11 he set collegiate career-highs in assists (38) and points (57). His 38 assists ranked him third nationally among college hockey players. A Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2010-11, Camper was named CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year and helped guide Miami to a 23-10-6 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.


In 156 career collegiate games, Camper had 69+114=183 totals. The 5'9", 173-pound native of Rocky River, Ohio finished his career second on Miami's all-time points list and assists list. In his four years at Miami, the RedHawks made four NCAA Tournament appearances, two trips to the Frozen Four (2009 and 2010) and lost to Boston University in the 2009 National Championship. Before Miami, he played for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Guess What? More Roster Changes.

Cantin Returns from Reading; Sheen Released from PTO
January 2, 2012


The Providence Bruins, in their 20th season in the American Hockey League, today announced that the Boston Bruins have reassigned defenseman Marc Cantin to the P-Bruins from the Reading Royals of the ECHL. In a separate transaction, forward Everett Sheen has been released from his Professional Tryout Agreement.

Cantin, 21, registered an assist in two contests with the Royals after being reassigned on December 30. The defenseman, who has gone scoreless in 14 games for Providence this season, has a 1+1=2 totals in six contests with the Royals 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 (13-13-3-3, 32 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. In Reading, Cantin joined former P-Bruins Yannick Riendeau, Rob Kwiet, Olivier Labelle, Marvin Degon and Karel St. Laurent.

Sheen went scoreless in four games for the P-Bruins since being signed to a Professional Tryout Agreement on December 15. 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.

The forward 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.

This past September, Sheen participated in the Providence Bruins training camp on a tryout basis.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com