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.