"Koko" and His World Tour

Bruins Draft Pick in Providence
March 28, 2013

Alexander Khokhlachev
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

Moscow, Ufa, Windsor, Providence. Those are all of the places Alexander Khokhlachev has played hockey this year, resulting in a hectic, but successful, season for the B’s 2011 second-round draft pick.

"Koko," as he is known throughout the Bruins’ organization, started the season with Moscow Spartak of the KHL; represented Russia in Ufa for the 2013 World Junior Championship; then made his way to the OHL to play for the Windsor Spitfires; and now that his OHL season is over, has migrated to play for the Providence Bruins.

“He's had a flavorful season, a bit of a nomad,” said Boston Bruins Assistant General Manager Don Sweeney of the center. “Starting out in a man's league in the KHL, which obviously provided him some challenges as his ice time wavered back and forth, but he adjusted well and took a lot of positives from his time there."

“Alexander then jumped into the World Juniors, playing against his peers, where he played a major role in his teams' success and had a very strong tournament. After the Word Jr's, Koko did not return to the KHL but instead, he came back to North America returning to a familiar spot in the OHL with Windsor, where he tried his best to get that group into the playoffs. They fell short but Koko played very well."

“He's now moved on to Providence and is playing games with a first pace team that is battling for AHL playoff positioning. I think this experience is going to help him immensely. These games will allow him to continue to make the adjustment to the pro game, on a much smaller the ice where things happen quickly.” Sweeney said it can be challenging for a player like the 19-year-old Khokhlachev to move around from team to team.

“Especially a player that speaks a couple different languages with English not being his primary language,” said Sweeney, when asked of the difficulties of playing for multiple teams in different places in such a short amount of time. “ I think communication is a bit of a challenge at times but, he's a rink rat and he loves to play the game so that is really encouraging from our perspective"
“He practices as hard as he plays. I think that all sets him up for success down the road."

“It's a smaller area game in a North American pro environment," added Sweeney, on overseas players needing to adapt from the larger ice surface. "But he's got great awareness and he adapts very well.”
Khokhlachev scored 27 goals this season before joining Providence: two in 26 games with Moscow; 22 in 29 games with Windsor; and three in seven games for Russia during the World Junior tournament.

The Bruins have been pleased with Khokhlachev’s progression and believe he is on the right track in his development. Sweeney said 'Koko' may have a chance to play with Providence during the playoffs and gain even more experience at the pro level.

“We'd like to see him come in and finish strongly here, as well as, get valuable experience from a playoff run,” Sweeney said of the 5-foot-9, 163-pound Moscow native. " He's a competitive kid, so I am sure he was anxious, as Windsor wound down their season and weren't playing in the playoffs, to jump into games in Providence."

“I think he does have the ability play with better players, and his pace seems to pick up and adapt well to new challenges. Koko finds a way to keep up, and make things happen, where other young players sort of have to find their way."


*Information gathered from www.bruins.nhl.com

Torey Krug Called Up To Boston

Torey Krug Gets Called Up
D-Man to Play Against Canadiens
March 27, 2013

Torey Krug
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 27, that the team has recalled defenseman Torey Krug. Krug will join Boston on Wednesday and be available to play in the team's game against the Canadiens at 7:30 p.m.

Krug has skated in 55 games with Providence (AHL) this season and has registered 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points with 33 penalty minutes. Krug is fourth on the P-Bruins in points, and leads all defensemen, and is tied for fifth in goals with 10. Krug’s 34 points rank sixth in the AHL among D-men.

This marks Krug’s first recall of the 2012-13 season.  Krug appeared in two NHL games with Boston last year and registered his first career point against the Senators on April 5, 2012 in Ottawa.

The 5'9", 180-pound hails from Livonia, Michigan and was signed as a free agent by the Bruins on March 25, 2012.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence Roster in Flux Again

Boston Assigns Rookie Goaltender for Third Time This Season
Bartkowski Signs; Chris Casto Joins
March 26, 2013


The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins (NHL) have assigned goaltender Adam Morrison to Providence from the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).
 This marks Morrison's third trip to Providence. Morrison, 22, was reassigned to Utah on March 20, though he did not appear in a game for Providence. The 6'3", 194-pound goaltender saw time in 10 games for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) before being reassigned to the Utah Grizzlies on February 13. In 14 games with the Grizzlies this season, Morrison has compiled a 6-6-2 record, .903 save percentage and 3.46 goals against average.

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.

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 26, that the club has signed defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a one-year, one-way contract extension through the 2013-14 season and University of Minnesota-Duluth defenseman Chris Casto to an entry-level contract. Bartkowski's contract is worth $650,000.
 

Matt Bartkowski
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

Since being recalled from the Providence Bruins on March 23, Bartkowski has appeared in two games with Boston this season and registered two penalty minutes while averaging 14:19 of ice time. In total, Bartkowski has skated in 11 NHL games with the Boston Bruins and has recorded six penalty minutes.
 
Bartkowski has appeared in 56 games for Providence this year and has registered three goals and 21 assists for 24 points with 56 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old has skated in a total of 156 AHL games with the P-Bruins and has notched 12 goals and 58 assists during that span.
 
The 6'1'', 196-pound native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (190th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The Bruins acquired Bartkowski and Dennis Seidenberg in exchange for Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and Tampa Bay's 2010 second round draft pick from the Florida Panthers on March 3, 2010.
 
Chris Casto will join the Bruins organization from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA), where the defenseman skated in 36 games this year, tallying three goals and six assists. Casto's nine points ranked third among Bulldogs defensemen. In his two seasons at UMD, Casto skated in 77 games and tallied five goals, 17 assists and 30 penalty minutes.
In 2010-11, the 6'2'', 210-pound blueliner from Stillwater, Minnesota, played for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) where he appeared in 58 games and registered six goals and 19 assists with a +15 rating.
 
Casto attended the Bruins annual Development Camp this past summer in 2012 as a camp invite.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Spooner Back in Providence

Ryan Spooner Returns to Providence
March 24, 2013

Ryan Spooner
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 24, that the team has assigned Ryan Spooner to Providence (American Hockey League).



Spooner appeared in three games for the Bruins after his second NHL recall on March 18. In total, Spooner has skated in four NHL games with Boston and has registered four shots on goal.
 
Spooner has skated in a total of 58 AHL games with Providence and has notched 15 goals and 37 assists. The forward had back-to-back 60+ point seasons in the Ontario Hockey League before joining the P-Bruins, having tallied 66 points in 57 games split between Kingston and Sarnia last year, and 81 points in 64 games during the 2010-11 season split between Peterborough and Kingston.
 
The 5'10'', 175-pound native of Kanata, Ontario was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round (45th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Bartkowski Headed to Boston

Defenseman Will Play in Toronto Saturday Night
March 22, 2013

Matt Bartkowski
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 22, that the club has recalled defenseman Matt Bartkowski from the Providence Bruins (AHL) on an emergency basis. Bartkowski will join the Boston Bruins in Toronto in advance of their game against the Maple Leafs on Saturday, March 23.

In 56 games for the Providence Bruins this year, Bartkowski has registered three goals and 21 assists for 24 points with 56 penalty minutes. The blueliner's 21 assists are ranked second among defensemen and fifth overall on the P-Bruins.

*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Providence Roster in Flux Again

Button reassigned to South Carolina; Morrison returns to Utah
March 20, 2013

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins (NHL) have reassigned Ryan Button to the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) from Providence. In a separate transaction, goaltender Adam Morrison has been reassigned to the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).

Button, of Edmonton, Alberta, has appeared in one game for South Carolina this season, going scoreless in a contest on February 13. The second-year pro split last season between Providence and Reading (ECHL), totaling a combined eight points in 58 games for the clubs. In 23 games for the Bruins this season, Button has gone scoreless and recorded 15 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the 6'0", 185-pound defenseman spent four seasons in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders and Seattle Thunderbirds. In 264 career junior games, Button recorded 113 points on 16 goals and 97 assists.

Morrison, 22, was recalled to Providence for the second time this season on March 14. The 6'3", 194-pound goaltender saw time in 10 games for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) before being reassigned to the Utah Grizzlies. In 14 games with the Grizzlies this season, Morrison has compiled a 6-6-2 record, .903 save percentage and 3.46 goals against average.

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.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

The Russian is Coming

Alexander Khokhlachev "Koko" Joins Providence
2011 Boston Draft Pick to Make Professional Debut this Weekend
March 20, 2013
  
 
The Providence Bruins, in their 21^st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins have assigned forward Alexander Khokhlachev to Providence from the Windsor Spitfires (OHL).

Khokhlachev split this season with Windsor and Moscow (KHL), recording 24-31=55 totals in 55 combined games.  In three seasons with Windsor, the native of Moscow, Russia recorded 81-112=193 totals, including a junior career high of 76 points in 2010-11.

The 5'10", 172-pound centerman was selected by the Boston Bruins in round two (40^th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  



*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Ryan Spooner Heads Back to Boston

Providence Center is Team's Leading Scorer
March 18, 2013

Ryan Spooner
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 18, that the team has recalled forward Ryan Spooner from the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League) on an emergency basis. Spooner will join the Boston Bruins in Winnipeg in advance of their games against the Jets (March 19), Ottawa Senators (March 21) and Toronto Maple Leafs (March 23).

This marks Spooner's second NHL recall of the season with the first coming on February 4, 2013. The 21-year-old centerman skated in one game with Boston making his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens on February 6. In 50 games for the Providence Bruins this year, Spooner leads the team with 45 points and 33 assists. Spooner's 12 goals are also tied third on the team.

Spooner has skated in a total of 58 AHL games with the Providence Bruins and has notched 15 goals and 37 assists. The forward had back-to-back 60+ point seasons in the Ontario Hockey League before joining the P-Bruins, having tallied 66 points in 57 games split between Kingston and Sarnia last year, and 81 points in 64 games during the 2010-11 season split between Peterborough and Kingston.

The 5'10'', 175-pound native of Kanata, Ontario was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round (45th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Harvard in The House

Former Harvard Standout Signs With the Bruins

March18, 2013

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, today announced that they have signed forward Alexander Fallstrom to an amateur tryout contract. Fallstrom was signed to an entry-level contract by the Boston Bruins on March 16 for the 2013-14 season.

In 32 games this year with the Harvard Crimson (ECAC), Fallstrom has registered nine goals and 12 assists. Fallstrom is tied for second in goals and assists with the Crimson, and leads the team in points (21). Fallstrom is also second on the team in shots with 86 so far this season. The winger's nine goals are tied for fourth in the ECAC.
Fallstrom has skated in 113 games at the ECAC level, compiling 33 goals and 37 assists good for 70 points in his four-year college career. Prior to Harvard, Fallstrom attended Shattuck-St. Mary's High School and tallied 60 goals and 74 assists for 134 points in 114 games.

The 6'2'' 203-pound native of Gotenborg, Sweden was drafted Minnesota Wild in the fourth round (116 overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The Bruins acquired Fallstrom, Craig Weller and a second round pick in 2011 on October 18, 2009, in exchange for Chuck Kobasew.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

 

 

Goaltender Reassigned to Providence

Adam Morrison Back
March 14, 2013

Goaltender Adam Morrison
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, today announced that the Boston Bruins have reassigned goaltender Adam Morrison to Providence from the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).

This marks the second recall to Providence for Morrison, 22. The 6'3", 194-pound goaltender saw time in 10 games for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) before being reassigned to the Utah. In 14 games with the Grizzlies this season, Morrison has compiled a 6-6-2 record, .903 save percentage and 3.46 goals against average.

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.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Bourque Clears Waivers

Chris Bourque to Rejoin Providence
March 8, 2013


It has just been reported that Chris Bourque has cleared waivers and will return to the Providence Bruins.

Bourque was placed on waivers yesterday by the Boston Bruins.  NHL teams had until noon today to claim him.

Jordan Caron
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

Jordan Caron is in Wilmington with Boston as I write.

Providence Freeing Up Roster Spots

Two Players Let Go Today
March 8, 2013

Nolan Julseth-White
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, today announced that they have released forward Nicolas Tremblay and defenseman Nolan Julseth-White from their professional tryout agreements.

Tremblay, 24, was signed to a PTO on February 20 and skated in five games for the Bruins. Before signing his PTO, the forward skated in 21 games for the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), registering 13+12=25 totals. The 6'0", 187-pound forward made his professional debut with the Bruins last season, skating in four games and scoring two points. Tremblay is a four-year product of Clarkson University. As an assistant captain in 2011-12, the center tallied a career-high 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 37 games. In four collegiate seasons, the Candiac, PQ, native totaled 88 points (33g, 55a) and 68 penalty minutes in 143 contests.

Tremblay was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (173rd overall) in 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Julseth-White, of Chilliwack, BC, was signed to a PTO on March 2. The defenseman skated with Las Vegas (ECHL) this season prior to signing his PTO. In 52 games with the Wranglers this season, the defenseman has recorded 20 points on three goals and 17 assists. His 20 points rank second among Wranglers defensemen. The 6'1", 212-pound rookie is a four-year product of Union College, where he skated in 100 games and recorded 18 points (18a) before graduating in 2012.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Chris Bourque Placed on Waivers

Breaking Story
March 7, 2013


TSN's Bob McKenzie has reported that the Boston Bruins have placed Chris Bourque on waivers.

Chris Bourque
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr

This appears to be a move to open up a roster spot for someone else.

Remarkable Season in the Works

Remarkable Season in the Works

Providence’s Improbable Turnaround
March 4, 2013
Thomas Chace Jr.

The 2012-13 version of the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins took shape in the summer of 2012.  The lack of scoring and scorers has been a fundamental reason why the team has failed to qualify for the AHL playoffs since the 2008-09 season.  The acquisition of last season’s AHL Scoring Leader, Chris Bourque, was one answer to the scoring questions.  The NHL lock-out delivered another answer when Boston left wing Jordan Caron came to Providence as well.

With just 20 games remaining in the season for Providence, they are about to eclipse their average win totals over the last three seasons.  Their 33 wins for the season trail only Springfield and Syracuse, who have won 34 and are the only teams ahead of the Bruins in the Eastern Conference.

Bourque and Caron have not had the biggest influence on the newfound scoring touch of the red hot Bruins.  Bourque played in the first 32 games and had 8 goals and 20 assists before his recall to Boston.  He didn’t score his first goal until November 9^th, however, and his teammates couldn’t finish plays as well as everyone had hoped. 

The Bruins were 17-13-0-2 after 32 games and scored only 79 goals to that point in the season.  Fortunately, tremendous play in net by rookie goaltender Niklas Svedberg has enabled the Bruins to stay in almost every game this season.   Since the offensively skilled Bourque was recalled, the Bruins have gone 16-5-0-3 and lead the Atlantic Division with 71 points.  They have scored 80 goals in 24 games since he went up to Boston; it’s hard to fathom.

Caron has played in 44 games for the Providence club and has been hard to figure out.  He has looked good at times and indifferent at others.  Caron has 10 goals and 5 assists and has been playing well of late, getting points in several recent games.  Caron and Bourque have not been the straws that stir the drink. 

Svedberg, born in Sweden, has never played this amount of games before, but wants to play every night.  The slim, 6’1”, 176 pound AHL All-Star netminder has had a tremendous rookie season.  With 27 wins he could approach the Providence team record of 37 wins by John Grahame in 1998-99, the last year Providence won the Calder Cup.  Svedberg is posting a 2.26 GAA and a .921 save percentage. His win total leads the AHL.  Backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson sports a 2.53 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 21 games played. The tandem has allowed the Bruins to be competitive in every game they’ve played this season.

The Bruins have formed a great bond in the locker room and on the ice and are relying heavily on everyone to do their part.  The results are stunning.  Five players with at least 10 goals, a scoring average of 2.84 goals per game, and goals allowed average of 2.46 to start.  When the Bruins are leading after the 1^st period, their record is 21-2-0-1.  With the lead after the 2^nd period, the B’s are an amazing 22-0-0-1.  That’s part of this remarkable season.

The guy that best embodies the word “team” is Providence’s right wing, Bobby Robins, who covers more ice and hits more people than a drunken Zamboni driver.  Robins generally sets the tone of the game early on, with an aggressive fore-check or a fist in the face.  Robins plays the game with such fury that teammates want to do the same.  His 31 fighting majors, 253 penalty minutes, and 7 points all pale in relation to his charity work, positive outlook writings on his blog, and the lift he’s given the team and the community.

Rookies like Ryan Spooner, Svedberg, Torey Krug, Justin Florek, Tommy Cross, Alden Hirschfeld, and Zach Trotman have made major contributions this season.  Spooner leads the team with 40 points on 10 goals and 30 assists.  Many of those assists were on All-Star Jamie Tardif’s team leading 26 goals.  Craig Cunningham had a hat-trick yesterday in a 7-1 shellacking of rival Portland.  Cunningham now has 17 goals on the season.

Providence tough left wing, Lane MacDermid joined Bourque in Boston about a month ago. Stepping up to stabilize Providence in the toughness department and to compliment Robins has been Tyler Randell.  He is gaining confidence and trust from the coaching staff with each game.  The veteran leadership of AHL All-Star Captain Trent Whitfield and NHL veteran Garnet Exelby cannot be glossed over either.

Graham Mink, former heated rival, was called at home in Vermont and offered a PTO.  Mink has scored 5 goals and garnered 10 points in just 20 games.  You can’t make this stuff up.  Carter Camper (35 pts), Christian Hanson (23 pts), Matt Bartkowski, David Warsofsky, Colby Cohen, Max Sauvé, Kyle MacKinnon (10 goals) and Kevan Miller have all done something or scored some timely goal to win games.

The goal to play better at home this season is two-fold.  The coaches, Bruce Cassidy and Kevin Dean, were determined to make home games very difficult for opposing teams this season and they wanted to give the loyal home fans a great effort every night.  Providence is 2^nd in the league in attendance this year and the Bruins can boast of an 18-8-0-3 home record.  Another goal reached.

The playoffs look like a sure thing;  the ride to return to them has been astonishing.  The AHL All-Star Classic was held in Providence this year.  Perhaps, the AHL administration and its officials can make a return trip to Providence with the Calder Cup as the finale of this improbable Providence season.

New Defenseman Signed to PTO

The Providence Bruins Add Rookie Defenseman
March 2, 2013
The Providence Bruins, in their 21^st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that they have signed defenseman Nolan Julseth-White to a PTO.

Julseth-White, of Chilliwack Chiefs, has skated with Las Vegas (ECHL) this season. In 52 games with the Wranglers this season, the defenseman has recorded 20 points on three goals and 17 assists. His 20 points rank second among Wranglers defensemen. The 6'1", 212-pound rookie is a four-year product of Union College, where he skated in 100 games and recorded 18 points ( 18a) before graduating in 2012.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com

Torey Krug Chosen Rookie of the Month

Defenseman Having Solid Rookie Campaign
March 1, 2013

Torey Krug
Photo by Thomas Chace Jr.

The American Hockey League announced today that Providence Bruins defenseman Torey Krug has been selected as the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for February.

Krug tallied four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 11 games to help the Bruins remain in the hunt for the Atlantic Division title.

Krug began the month by scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist in a 5-1 victory over Albany on Feb. 1. He set up the game-winner in a 2-0 win at Worcester the next night, and scored the decisive goal again as part of a two-point effort in a 3-2 decision vs. Manchester on Feb. 10. Krug notched two assists on Feb. 12 at Manchester before converting in the eighth shootout round to give the Bruins a 5-4 win, and scored a goal on Feb. 16 at Bridgeport to extend his scoring streak to 10 games, tied for the longest by an AHL rookie this season.

Krug now has 26 points in 44 games with Providence this season and ranks second among all AHL rookie defensemen with nine goals. The 21-year-old native of Livonia, Mich., played three seasons at Michigan State University and was the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's player of the year in 2011-12. He signed as a free agent with Boston on Mar. 25, 2012, and made his NHL debut with the Bruins late last season, registering one assist in two games.

In recognition of his achievement, Krug will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bruins home game.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com