Hirschfeld On the Move Again

Forward Skated in 18 Games for Bruins Since His November Recall
January 30, 2013 



The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that Alden Hirschfeld has been returned on loan to South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).

A 2012 graduate of Miami University, Hirschfeld was signed to an AHL contract on July 10. The Sylvania, Ohio native was recalled on loan from South Carolina on November 14 after skating in 16 games for the Stingrays. In 18 games with the Bruins, the 6'1", 206-pound forward tallied five points on two goals and three helpers.

Hirschfeld, 25, is a four-year product of Miami University (Ohio) where he recorded 70 points on 35 goals and 35 assists. As a team tri-captain in 2011-12, the forward was one of only three players who skated in all 41 games for the RedHawks. He scored a collegiate-best 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points during his junior season.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Old Nemesis Is Now on Our Side

Veteran Graham Mink Signed to AHL Contract
January 29, 2013

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that they have signed veteran forward Graham Mink to an AHL contract. Per club policy, the financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Mink, 33, was signed to a professional tryout agreement on January 12 and has since played in eight games for the Bruins, registering three points and six penalty minutes. On January 13, Mink scored the game-winning goal in the Bruins 2-1 win over the Manchester Monarchs.

The Stowe, Vermont native is a veteran of 730 professional games, including seven NHL games. The 6'3", 220-pound forward has made stops in several AHL and NHL cities throughout his 12-year career, including Portland, Washington, Hershey, Worcester, Rochester and Peoria.

Last season, Mink skated in 48 games for the Hershey Bears, recording 42 points on 16 goals and 26 helpers. His 42 points ranked fifth on the Bears squad. Mink set career-highs in his sixth professional season, scoring 63 points in 61 games. Prior to turning pro, Mink played three years at the University of Vermont tallying 46 points over 76 collegiate games.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence:Great Host City

AHL All-Star Game Back in Providence

January 25, 2013
Thomas Chace Jr.

 

The AHL All-Star Classic, as it’s been called since 1995, is back in Rhode Island’s Capitol city of Providence.  The AHL-All Stars have been here before of course, in fact this is the third time the city has hosted an All-Star game of some sort.

Way back on October 23, 1956, the Providence Reds defeated the AHL All-Stars by a score of 4-0.  This was the 4^th AHL All-Star game to ever be played, and the contest took place at the Rhode Island Auditorium.  The 1955 Calder Cup champion, Providence Reds hosted the event.  The Reds won the F.G. “Teddy” Oke Trophy for the Regular Season Champions, but the Calder Cup went to the Cleveland Barons in 1956-57.

The Les Cunningham Award, given to the MVP of the AHL was awarded to Providence goaltender Johnny Bower that season.  Bower also won the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award for the lowest goals against average in the 1956-57 season.

The Rochester Americans defeated the Reds, 4 games to 1, but were beaten by the Cleveland Barons in the Calder Cup Finals in 5 games.  Providence’s leading scorer that year was Paul Larivee, who had 46 goals and 43 assists, for 89 points in 64 games played. 

In order to host the All-Star Game in 1956, the Providence Reds had to win the Calder Cup.  In the 1955-56 season they did just that.  In fact, the Reds won their fourth Calder Cup in the 20 year history of the American Hockey League that season.  Winning 45 of 64 games the Reds finished just 2 points ahead of defending Cup Champion, the Pittsburgh Hornets. 

Folk hero Zellio Toppazzini had 113 points that season, comprising of 42 goals and 71 helpers.  Camille Henry had 50 goals for the Reds as well.  Providence defeated the Buffalo Bisons 3 games to 2, to advance to the Calder Cup Finals where they dispatched the Cleveland Barons 4 games to none.  Johnny Bower was the MVP in 1955-56 as well.  Rookie of the year, Bruce Cline, of Providence was given the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award.

After a long hiatus with no AHL All-Star Games since 1959, The All-Star Classic was born in 1995 and took place at the Providence Civic Center (now known as the Dunkin’ Donuts Center).  Officially known as the 1995 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, the game featured Canadians against United States players.  Canada skated away with a 6-4 victory.  11,909 fans attended and witnessed one penalty, for too many men on the ice, and 10 goals scored.  Ralph Intranuovo was the 1^st Star for his goal and assist in the game. The US outshot Canada 43-32 and had both of the other stars of the game, Steve Sullivan and Martin Lapointe.

So the game is returning to Providence and features three hometown Providence Bruins.  Captain Trent Whitfield, rookie goaltending sensation Niklas Svedberg, and Jamie Tardif who replaces Chris Bourque.  Bourque was the leading scorer but was recalled by their parent club, the Boston Bruins. Tardif leads the team with 18 goals.

Also, featured will be at least eight rookies, because the roster has been changing daily, the numbers could change.  One interesting addition yesterday was Syracuse defenseman, Radko Gudas.  Gudas has 10 fighting majors and 120 penalty minutes, not exactly numbers you will find on many All-Star squads. I applaud it and look forward to seeing how he goes about his business with the rest of the AHL’s best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Providence Makes More Roster Moves

Providence Bruins Move Four Players Around
January 24, 2013


The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins have reassigned goaltender Adam Morrison to Providence from the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). In a separate transaction, Boston has also reassigned defenseman Colby Cohen to South Carolina. Also in separate transactions, the Providence Bruins announced that forward Tyler McNeely and defensemen Eric Baier have been released from their PTOs.

Colby Cohen

Morrison, 21, was reassigned to the Stingrays on October 11. In 10 games with South Carolina, the 6'3", 194-pound goaltender has compiled a 1-6-2 record, 4.07 goals against average and .877 save percentage. Originally selected by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Morrison was signed by Boston as an unrestricted free agent on March 16, 2012. Prior to turning pro at the end of 2011-12, the White Rock, BC native spent three seasons in the WHL with Saskatoon and Vancouver.

Cohen, a 6'3", 215-pound defenseman has missed the last 16 games due to a lower body injury. In 16 games with Providence this season, the Villanova, PA native has tallied three assists and 14 penalty minutes. Originally drafted by Colorado 45th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Cohen was acquired by Boston in a trade for Matt Hunwick on November 29, 2010. In 140 professional games, the Boston University alum has recorded 32 points on six goals and 26 helpers.

McNeely was signed to a PTO on January 9. The forward skated in four games for the Bruins, recording one assist. Prior to joining the Bruins, McNeely skated in 38 games with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), registering a team-high 34 points. The Burnaby, British Columbia native spent the 2010-11 campaign with Bridgeport (AHL) and registered 32 points on 76 games. Prior to turning pro, the 5'10", 175-pound forward spent four years at Northeastern University, where he tallied 105 points (44g, 61a) in 142 games and captained the squad as a junior and senior.

Baier, a native of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, skated in 34 games for the Trenton Titans (ECHL) this season, putting up six points and 10 penalty minutes before being signed to a PTO with Providence on January 9. Prior to turning pro in 2010-11, Baier spent four years on the blue line at Providence College where he tallied 32 points on nine goals and 23 assists in 127 games. As a senior in 2010-11, he led all defensemen with 12 points (5g, 7a). He made his professional debut on March 6, 2011 with the Reading Royals (ECHL). He has since played with the Portland Pirates, Rockford IceHogs, Albany Devils and Trenton. In his first full professional season in 2011-12, Baier tallied a career-high 17 points and finished second among Titans defensemen.


*Information obtained from www.providencebruins.com

Niklas Svedberg

Opening face-off



Niklas Svedberg



Jamie Tardif

Jamie Tardif

Bobby Robins vs Frazer McLaren

Craig Cunningham

Nice screen, boys



Roster Moves Again in Providence

Warsofsky Back, Johnson Up
January 20, 2013

David Warsofsky

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, January 20, that defenseman David Warsofsky has been assigned to the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League) and defenseman Aaron Johnson has completed his conditioning stint with Providence and has rejoined the Boston Bruins.

Johnson joined Providence on a conditioning loan on January 17, and skated in two games with the P-Bruins, recording an assist and two penalty minutes. The defenseman signed by Boston to a one-year, two-way contract through the 2012-13 season on July 18, 2012. The 6'1," 204-pound native of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia skated in games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2011-12, registering three goals and setting NHL career highs with 13 assists and 16 points, while collecting 26 penalty minutes. For his career, Johnson has played in 281 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders, tallying 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 total points, with 217 penalty minutes. The Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia native was selected by Columbus in the third round (85th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Warsofksy, a 5'9," 170-pound defenseman from Marshfield, MA, recently participated in the Boston Bruins Training Camp and was listed on an NHL Opening Night roster for the first time in his career. Before joining Boston, he played 30 games for the Providence Bruins in his second full season with the AHL affiliate, recording 2-7=9 totals, and he is currently tied for second among P-Bruins defensemen in points. In his first full season with
Providence in 2011-12, Warsofsky led team defensemen with 29 points (5-24) and was sixth overall in the PBruins scoring race. He was signed by Boston to a three-year entry-level contract on March 24, 2011, and appeared in 10 games for Providence, recording three assists and six penalty minutes. Prior to beginning his professional career, Warsofsky played three seasons from 2008-11 with the Boston University Terriers, where he won the National Championship in 2009. He was selected by St. Louis in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and was acquired by Boston in exchange for Vladimir Sobotka on June 26, 2010.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Another Pair of Providence Roster Changes

Justin Courtnall
Recalled on January 9th, Forward Skated in Two Games
January 18, 2013


The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that forward Justin Courtnall has been returned on loan to the South Carolina Stingrays.

Courtnall was recalled from loan to South Carolina on January 9 and skated in two games for the Bruins. With South Carolina, the forward has skated in 18 games, and has totaled four points (2g, 2a) and 36 penalty minutes. A native of Victoria, BC, Courtnall spent the last three years at Boston University. As an assistant captain in 2011-12, Courtnall recorded a collegiate-high seven points on four goals and three assists. The 6'3", 210-pound forward is the son of former Bruins forward Geoff Courtnall, and the nephew of Russ Courtnall, veterans of 17 and 16 year NHL careers respectively.

Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh day of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the 23-year-old finished his collegiate career with 13 points and 104 penalty minutes.


Wes O'Neill
Defenseman Skated in Two Games for Providence
The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that defenseman Wes O'Neill has been released from his PTO.

O'Neill was signed to a PTO on January 12. The defenseman skated in two games for the Bruins, recording one goal and a +1 rating. Prior to joining the Bruins, O'Neill skated in 37 games for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL).

O'Neil skated in 37 games with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) this season, registering 20 points and 56 penalty minutes. The sixth-year pro has spent time in various hockey cities including, Lake Erie (AHL), Johnstown (ECHL), Colorado (NHL), Kalamazoo (ECHL) and Bridgeport (AHL). The 6'4", 218-pound defenseman was originally drafted 115th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Since turning pro in 2007, he has skated in 298 professional games, including five games with the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to turning pro, he spent four years on the blue line for the University of Notre Dame.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Host Providence Has Three Players Selected

Three Providence All-Stars Named
January 17, 2013

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that Niklas Svedberg and Chris Bourque have been selected to represent the team at the 2013 Dunkin' Donuts AHL All-Star Classic, to be held in Providence January 27 and 28. Trent Whitfield was also selected to captain the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Svedberg, a first-year pro from Sollentuna, Sweden has appeared in 23 games for the Providence Bruins this season. In 1342:22 minutes played, the 6'1", 176-pound goaltender has recorded a 15-6-1-1 record and compiled a .920 save percentage and 2.46 goals-against-average.

All-Star Captain - Trent Whitfield

Bourque, who is currently attending Boston's Training Camp, leads the P-Bruins in scoring with 20 points on eight goals and a team-high 20 assists. The Boston, Massachusetts native is in his first season with the Bruins after being acquired from Washington in exchange for Zach Hamill on May 26, 2012. The 5'8", 180-pound forward led the AHL in scoring last season with the Hershey Bears, scoring a career-high 93-points.

Whitfield has spent part of each of his 15 professional seasons in the American Hockey League, including the last four with Providence. The 35-year-old native of Alameda, Sask., has played 769 career AHL games and is a four-time 20-goal scorer, totaling 240 goals and 343 assists for 583 points with Portland (1998-2005), Peoria (2005-09) and Providence (2009- ). Originally drafted by Boston in 1996, Whitfield has also skated in 194 career NHL games with the Bruins, St. Louis, the New York Rangers and Washington.

Whitfield, who made his only previous AHL All-Star Classic appearance in 2003, will captain the Eastern Conference AHL All-Stars.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Boston Bruins Announce Roster Transactions

Chris Bourque Still in Boston
January 17, 2013


BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, January 17, the following roster transactions: defenseman Matt Bartkowski and forward Ryan Spooner have been assigned to the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League), forward Jamie Tardif has been placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to Providence, and defenseman Aaron Johnson will join Providence on a conditioning loan.

Bartkowski, a 6’1,” 196-pound defenseman from Pittsburgh, PA, is in his third season with the Providence Bruins, after being signed by the Bruins to a one-year, two-way contract through the 2012-13 season on July 12, 2012. Before joining the Bruins for Training Camp, Bartkowski had recorded two goals and seven assists in 30 games for Providence this season. In 2011-12, he finished third among P-Bruins defensemen with 22 points, after beginning the season with Boston and appearing in three NHL games. For his AHL career, Bartkowski has played in 149 games with Providence, registering 10-44=54 totals and 119 penalty minutes. He has skated in nine NHL games with Boston, posting four penalty minutes. Bartkowski was drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2008 (7th round, 190th overall) and was acquired by Boston with Dennis Seidenberg in exchange for Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and Tampa Bay’s 2012 second-round pick (Alexander Petrovic) on March 3, 2012.

The 5’10,” 180-pound Spooner is in his first full season with the Providence Bruins and recently participated in his first Boston Bruins Training Camp. The Kanata, Ontario native has skated in 26 games with Providence this season, registering seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points, along with six penalty minutes. The 20-year-old is tied for second in plus-minus for the P-Bruins with a plus-five rating and is ranked third in points. He joined the Bruins’ AHL affiliate at the conclusion of his 2011-12 junior season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting, recording 1-3=4 totals in five games. Through four OHL seasons with the Sting, Kingston Frontenacs and Peterborough Petes, Spooner notched 113-146=259 totals in 230 games, including 33 power-play goals. He was selected by Boston in the second round (45th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and signed to a three-year entry-level contract on July 20, 2011.

Tardif, a 6’0,” 205-pound forward from Welland, Ontario, is in his second season with the Bruins organization. Prior to the Boston Bruins Training Camp, the right wing had skated in 32 games for the Providence Bruins this season, compiling 16 goals and seven assists for 23 points, along with 27 penalty minutes. Tardif currently leads all P-Bruins skaters in goals and is tied for sixth in the AHL. He is ranked second in points on the Providence roster behind Chris Bourque (28). In 2011-12, Tardif posted 15-15=30 totals with the P-Bruins. Prior to joining Providence, the AHL veteran spent five years in the Detroit Red Wings’ system from 2006-11 with the Grand Rapids Griffins. For his AHL career, Tardif has recorded 109-98=207 totals in 408 games. Drafted by Calgary in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Tardif was signed by Boston as an unrestricted free agent to a two-year contract on July 5, 2011.

Johnson was signed by Boston to a one-year, two-way contract through the 2012-13 season on July 18, 2012. The 6’1,” 204-pound defenseman skated in 56 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2011-12, registering three goals and setting NHL career highs with 13 assists and 16 points, while collecting 26 penalty minutes. For his career, Johnson has played in 281 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders, tallying 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 total points, with 217 penalty minutes. The Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia native was selected by Columbus in the third round (85th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.


*Information gathered from http://bruins.nhl.com

Training Camp Announced for Boston

Camp to Begin on Sunday January 13th
January 13, 2013


Boston will began a six-day training camp on Sunday, January 13 with an on-ice session at the TD Garden beginning at 1 p.m.

Training camp will run through Friday, January 18 and the Bruins will open the 2012-13 regular season schedule with a two-game homestand, first facing off on Opening Night against the 2012 Eastern Conference runner-up New York Rangers at the TD Garden on Saturday, January 19 at 7 p.m.

Opening Night will be followed by a matinee against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, January 21 at 1 p.m.



*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Old Nemesis, Graham Mink Joins PBruins

12 Year Pro is a Veteran of 686 AHL Games
January 12, 2013


The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that they have signed veteran forward Graham Mink to a PTO.

Mink, of Stowe, Vermont, is a veteran of 722 professional games, including seven NHL games. The 6'3", 220-pound forward has made stops in several AHL and NHL cities throughout his 12-year career, such as Portland, Washington, Hershey, Worcester, Rochester and Peoria. Last season, Mink skated in 48 games for the Hershey Bears, recording 42 points on 16 goals and 26 helpers. His 42 points ranked fifth on the Bears squad. Mink set career-highs in his sixth professional season, scoring 63 points in 61 games. Prior to turning pro, Mink played three years at the University of Vermont tallying 46 points over 76 collegiate games.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Randell and Wes O'Neill Join Providence

Randell has four points with South Carolina; O'Neill has 20 with Toledo
January 12, 2012


The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins have reassigned forward Tyler Randell to Providence. In a separate transaction, the Providence Bruins have signed defenseman Wes O'Neill to a PTO.

Randell, Boston's sixth round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, has skated in 22 games with South Carolina, tallying two goals and two assists on top of 46 penalty minutes. This is the forward's second recall to Providence. He was recalled on December 5 and skated in one game for the Bruins before being reassigned to the Stingrays on January 2. After four seasons in the OHL with Belleville and Kitchener, Randell made his professional debut with Providence in the 2011-12 season. After 30 games, in which he went 2-0-2 and recorded 45 penalty minutes, he was reassigned by Boston to the Kitchener Rangers (OHL).

O'Neill has skated in 37 games with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) this season, registering 20 points and 56 penalty minutes. The sixth-year pro has spent time in various hockey cities including, Lake Erie (AHL), Johnstown (ECHL), Colorado (NHL), Kalamazoo (ECHL) and Bridgeport (AHL). The 6'4", 218-pound defenseman was originally drafted 115th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Since turning pro in 2007, he has skated in 298 professional games, including five games with the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to turning pro, he spent four years on the blue line for the University of Notre Dame.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Several Providence Players Invited to Boston

Bruins Begin Practices With Providence Additions
January 10, 2013
Thomas Chace Jr.


As expected, several Providence players have been invited to Boston this weekend to participate in Boston's first official practices.  The Bruins are opening their season a week from Saturday on January 19th vs. the New York Rangers at home in the TD Garden.

Boston's roster has many players who played in Europe but several have had to rely on personal workouts and skating at local hockey camps and rinks.  With the addition of some Providence players who have been playing since October it will make for an interesting start to the lock-out shortened NHL season.

The only Bruins player deemed elibible to play in Providence this season, Jordan Caron, was injured in an awkward collision on Friday night against Portland.  His injury status has perhaps opened up a spot on the Boston third line.

Boston invited Providence leading scorer Chris Bourque, who has been hot of late. His 8 goals are second on the team along with a team leading 20 assists.  Jamie Tardif, has returned from his own injury issues and leads Providence with 16 goals and has been a force in front of the net. Rookie speedster, Ryan Spooner will get a chance to skate with the big boys, as will rugged left winger, Lane MacDermid.

Defensemen, Matt Bartkowski and David Warsofsky will also join the group headed to Boston. The two defensemen have identical scoring numbers, 9 points apiece, with 2 goals and 7 assists for each player.

The Providence Bruins have a three games in three days weekend schedule coming up. A home game on Friday night against Bridgeport, on the road Saturday to Springfield, and a return home to face the Manchester Monarchs on Sunday. To address the player shortage, the Providence club made roster moves yesterday involving their ECHL affiliate in South Carolina.

The Boston Bruins have not announced a formal practice schedule or game schedule as of this writing. Stay tuned.

Roster Moves for Providence

Courtnall Recalled from South Carolina; McNeely and Baier signed to PTOs
January 9, 2013


The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that forward Justin Courtnall has been recalled from the South Carolina Stingrays. In a separate transaction, forward Tyler McNeely and defenseman Eric Baier have been signed to professional tryout agreements.

Courtnall was recalled from loan to South Carolina on November 23 and skated in one game for the Bruins. Since returning to South Carolina, the forward has skated in 13 games, and has totaled four points (2g, 2a) and 36 penalty minutes in 18 games this season. A native of Victoria, BC, Courtnall spent the last three years at Boston University. As an assistant captain in 2011-12, Courtnall recorded a collegiate-high seven points on four goals and three assists. The 6'3", 210-pound forward is the son of former Bruins forward Geoff Courtnall, and the nephew of Russ Courtnall, veterans of 17 and 16 year NHL careers respectively.

A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, McNeely has played 38 games with South Carolina this season.  Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh day of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the 23-year-old finished his collegiate career with 13 points and 104 penalty minutes. The forward leads the Stingrays with 34 points, including a team-high 25 assists. McNeely spent 2010-11 with Bridgeport (AHL) and registered 32 points on 76 games. Prior to turning pro, the 5'10", 175-pound forward spent four years at Northeastern University, where he tallied 105 points (44g, 61a) in 142 games and captained the squad as a junior and senior.

Baier, a native of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, has skated in 34 games for the Trenton Titans (ECHL) this season, putting up six points and 10 penalty minutes. Prior to turning pro in 2010-11, Baier spent four years on the blue line at Providence College where he tallied 32 points on nine goals and 23 assists in 127 games. As a senior in 2010-11, he led all defensemen with 12 points (5g, 7a). He made his professional debut on March 6, 2011 with the Reading Royals (ECHL). He has since played with the Portland Pirates, Rockford IceHogs, Albany Devils and Trenton. In his first full professional season in 2011-12, Baier tallied a career-high 17 points and finished second among Titans defensemen.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Jared Knight Back in Providence

Forward Skated in Two Games with South Carolina
January 8, 2013

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins have reassigned forward Jared Knight to Providence from the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).

Knight, 20, was reassigned to South Carolina on January 2 after he missed 27 consecutive Providence Bruins games due to a lower body injury. In two games with the Stingrays, the forward recorded eight shots and a minus-2 rating. Before turning pro, the Battle Creek, MI native played four seasons with the London Knights of the OHL and won the Robertson Cup with the club 2011-12, defeating the Niagara Ice Dogs. He tallied eight points in 15 playoff games. Knight made his professional debut in April 2011, following putting up a career-best 70 points on 25 goals and 45 assists with the Knights. The 5'11", 202-pound forward was selected by the Boston Bruins 32nd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Not Finishing Proving Costly to Providence

Team Was Expected to Score More
January 7, 2013
Thomas Chace Jr.

The 2013 version of the Providence Bruins was surely going to score more than the previous two PBruins teams.  Boston obtained last season’s leading AHL scorer, Chris Bourque, in exchange for disappointing Zach Hamill. The Bruins also had a healthy Jamie Tardif and Max Sauvé returning from injuries.  The Boston Bruins third line left wing, Jordan Caron was here along with returning goal scorers Carter Camper and Craig Cunningham.  Several puck moving defensemen joining rookie speedster Ryan Spooner were all expected to contribute and increase their goal totals this season.

 

Head Coach Bruce Cassidy was clearly displeased after Sundays 4-1 loss to Springfield.  “We should have been fresh, there’s no excuse for our slow start.  We’ve had trouble finishing all year, that’s nothing new.  The last few games we’ve been in tight games and we’ve let them get away and we’re making poor decisions, giving teams’ odd man rushes and that can’t continue.”

 

After 32 games, it is fair to surmise that this 2013 team suffers from the same fate as those in recent years, they cannot finish.  They cannot complete, or culminate their offensive chances.  The inability to get the puck in the net for Providence almost seems like a foregone conclusion.  Ironically, the team leads the entire AHL in average shots per game. In fact, they lead Rockford by a full shot 34.25 to 33.17 per game.  This profusion of shots has resulted in a total of just 79 goals for Providence, good for second to last in the Eastern Conference.

 

In spite of this lack of scoring, Providence is still playing good hockey, due mainly to their goaltending tandem of Niklas Svedberg and Michael Hutchinson.  Svedberg, a rookie from Sweden, has played the bulk of the games so far. His 13 victories, 2.45 GAA, and .921 save percentage are some of the best numbers in the AHL.   The soft-spoken tandem has kept the Bruins in each game and given them a chance to win every time.

 

Providence has played .500 hockey in their last ten games.  They are 7^th in the Eastern Conference and are surrounded by many teams with similar records.  They continue to draw well and have been as high as 2^nd in attendance and no lower than 4^th since the start of the season.  The team is averaging 2.47 goals per game and is allowing 2.75. Those numbers need to move in order for Providence to be successful as they approach the February blues.  It is a time of the year where several players seem to hit the wall and struggle to get to the finish line.  However, with Trent Whitfield and Jared Knight both returning from long absences due to injury, Coach Cassidy believes that they may infuse the team during that February stretch.  Cassidy says “They’ll have energy and want to play; they’ll be hungry while some other guys will be looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.”

 

Another sore subject over the years with both the big club in Boston and the Providence squads is their power-play performance.  With the lack of scoring in general, the team’s power-play is a little brighter in regard to production.  The Bruins are 21st in the AHL, which is an improvement over last year.  However, one of their strengths, the penalty kill, has deteriorated.  Currently 26^th in the league, they are killing 80% of the opposition’s man advantage.  Special teams can improve as the season moves along, the team usually chooses to practice on its even strength play in the first half of the season and move on to more specialty functions later in the year.

 

With the lockout over in the NHL, it is expected that several Providence players may open the season in a Boston jersey.  Jordan Caron was injured on Friday and is expected to be out for several weeks, so he will be unavailable to play in Boston.  Bourque is leading the team in scoring and could possibly fill in that third line wing position.  Tardif leads the team in goals and may get an opportunity to perform with the big boys.   Defensemen, Matt Bartkowski, David Warsofsky, and Torey Krug have been mentioned as possible call ups as well.

 

Providence can’t afford to lose any goal scorers whatsoever, but maybe the scoring burden will shift and perhaps some other players can step forward and finish what was started back in October.   A time when most observers felt that Providence had what was missing from their previous squads, added scoring.  We’re almost halfway through the season; let’s hope they learn to finish before the season concludes.

Providence Sends Down Two Players Today

Jared Knight and Tyler Randell Join the Stingrays

January 2, 2013

 

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins have reassigned forwards Jared Knight and Tyler Randell to the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).

Knight, 20, has missed the last 27 Providence Bruins games due to a lower body injury. Prior to turning pro, the Battle Creek, MI native played four seasons with the London Knights of the OHL and won the Robertson Cup with the club 2011-12, defeating the Niagara Ice Dogs. He tallied eight points in 15 playoff games. Knight made his professional debut in April 2011, following putting up a career-best 70 points on 25 goals and 45 assists with the Knights. The 5'11", 202-pound forward was selected by the Boston Bruins 32nd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Randell, Boston's sixth round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, skated in one game for Providence since being reassigned on December 5. After four seasons in the OHL with Belleville and Kitchener, Randell made his professional debut with Providence in the 2011-12 season. After 30 games, in which he went 2-0-2 and recorded 45 penalty minutes, he was reassigned by Boston to the Kitchener Rangers (OHL).


*Information gathered from www.providencenbruins.com