Boston Extends Affiliation With Providence

- Don Sweeney Named Providence General Manager

- Jay Pandolfo Hired as Development Coach

Press Release From http://bruins.nhl.com

Boston, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, August 27, that the club has agreed to a long-term affiliation agreement with the Providence Bruins.

Chiarelli also announced that Assistant General Manager Don Sweeney has been named the General Manager of the Providence Bruins and that Jay Pandolfo has been hired as Development Coach. In Sweeney’s role as General Manager of Providence, he will be responsible for hockey operations with the P-Bruins in addition to his current responsibilities. Pandolfo will be responsible for aiding in the development of players and prospects throughout Boston’s system.

The P-Bruins have served as the American Hockey League affiliate for Boston since their inception in 1992, making the 23 consecutive season affiliation between Boston and Providence one of the longest standing player development agreements in either league’s history.

“On behalf of the Bruins organization we are happy to have our relationship with the Providence Bruins extended,” said Bruins President Cam Neely. “Having our AHL affiliate so close is a great asset to not only our hockey team, but to our fans, as they can watch our prospects develop. I’d like to thank H. Larue Renfroe, Jeff Fear and Matt Poore and the rest of the Providence Bruins organization for their continued commitment to Bruins Hockey. I would also like to congratulate Don Sweeney on being named General Manager of the Providence Bruins."

“We are proud to continue our long standing affiliation with the Boston Bruins.” said Providence Bruins team owner H. Larue Renfroe, adding “We take great pride in helping provide a high end development environment for the prospects and coaches of the Boston Bruins. The Jacobs family, Cam Neely, Peter Chiarelli and Don Sweeney have been outstanding partners and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

“The city and fans of Providence have a history in the AHL that dates back to the league’s formation in 1936,” said David Andrews, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hockey League. “Providence has been a natural partner for the Boston Bruins for the last 22 years, and it is wonderful to see that relationship extended for the foreseeable future.”

With the P-Bruins serving as the primary pipeline for Boston, over 190 players that have spent time with Providence have played for the big club as well. Current players in the organization that have played at least one game for both Providence and Boston include: Matt Bartkowski, Patrice Bergeron, Johnny Boychuk, Jordan Caron, Craig Cunningham, Justin Florek, Matt Fraser, Alexander Khokhlachev, David Krejci, Torey Krug, Matt Lindblad, Brad Marchand, Adam McQuaid, Kevan Miller, Tuukka Rask, Ryan Spooner, Niklas Svedberg, Zach Trotman and David Warsofsky.

“Having a solid working relationship with your AHL affiliate is so integral to the long term success of your NHL team,” said Chiarelli. “With Providence and H. Larue Renfroe's stewardship, we have that and more. We look forward to many more years with the Providence Bruins.

Sweeney enters his ninth season in the Bruins front office and is in his sixth as Assistant General Manager. He joined Chiarelli’s staff in June of 2006 as the team’s Director of Player Development and added the position of Director of Hockey Operations to his resume in July of 2007 before being named Assistant GM.

“Don takes a lot of pride in the development and success of the younger players, most of whom come through Providence,” said Chiarelli. “Don has been in charge of Providence for some time now and he will continue to oversee that important relationship with enthusiasm and passion and ultimately, success.”

The 16-year NHL veteran was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1984 Draft (166th overall) after spending four seasons at Harvard University where he graduated with a degree in economics. The former NHL blueliner is one of just two defensemen and four players in team history to have played in over 1,000 games in a Boston sweater and still ranks third on the team’s all-time games played list.

“During the past eight years, I have been very fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to work closely with some outstanding people in Providence,” said Sweeney. “I can fully attest to their total commitment to developing young men as both aspiring NHL Players and quality people. Our partnership with Providence is about providing an opportunity for Players to develop in a competitive and winning environment. Peter Chiarelli and the Bruins have chartered a relationship with H. Larue Renfroe and his staff that continuously reinforces the ideals of a successful Player Development System.”

Pandolfo, 39, appeared in 899 NHL games throughout his career, notching 100 goals and 126 assists for 226 points. The forward also brings 131 games of postseason experience to Boston, where he racked up 11 goals and 22 assists, winning two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils in 2000 and 2003. The Burlington, MA native played his final NHL season with the Boston Bruins in the 2012-13 season, where the winger skated in 18 games.

“Jay got a good sense of how we approach things during his time as a player here,” said Chiarelli. “He has a real common sense approach that focuses on commitment and dedication. These are attributes that he showed also as a player and he will use in development of our younger players and prospects.”

Prior to being drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft (Second round, 32nd overall), Pandolfo skated four seasons at Boston University (1992-96) where he picked up a career 169 points (ranks 11th most in school history) and 79 goals (tied for ninth in school history). Under Head Coach Jack Parker and Assistant Coaches Bill Berglund, Mike Eruzione and Blaise MacDonald, Pandolfo and his BU teammates won the NCAA National Championship in 1995. The left wing was named Terrier Captain in 1996 – the same season he finished as the runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award.

“We are excited to have Jay rejoin the Bruins organization as he brings a wealth of NHL experience to our group,” said Sweeney. “He knows what it takes for forwards to play in all sorts of different roles on Stanley Cup winning teams. I believe Jay will be a huge asset to aid our staff in the development of our young players.”

Pandolfo announced his retirement from his 15-season NHL career in January of 2014.

“I am very excited to start the next chapter in my career and rejoin the Boston Bruins organization as the team’s Development Coach,” said Pandolfo. “Working with the younger players in the system and helping them improve as professionals is an opportunity I am grateful for and a challenge that I look forward to.”

Providence Primed For Playoffs

Providence Defenders Buy In

April 10, 2014

Thomas Chace Jr.

 

 

It took a while, but the Providence defenders have fully bought into the Bruins system at the right time of the season.  With just five games remaining, the Boston Bruins AHL farm club is ready to make a serious run in the playoffs.  The ability to defend as a team started in training camp and is now bearing the fruits of the team believing in the system.

Head Coach Bruce Cassidy explains, “That part of the game, the guys are buying into it.  As long as we keep our transition and quick strike offense going and we’re a threat to score and keep our PP working like it can, it makes us a pretty well-rounded team.”  Specifically, regarding the defensive part of the Providence team, Cassidy says, “I like that we are defending better, I really do, the guys are buying in.”

The difference between the defense in October and November to where the team is now is quite apparent.  They have been involved in numerous low scoring games of late, with a couple of blowout victories thrown in.  Balanced scoring has also been a great asset to the club this season as well. 

As always, good defense starts with goaltending.  Boston has a plethora of solid netminders in their system.  The Bruins had enough of them that they let Anton Khudobin go to the Carolina Hurricanes where he has mostly thrived in his first NHL season.  Providence retained solid goaltending in Niklas Svedberg and first year pro Malcolm Subban.  Svedberg played most of the games early and was let down many times by the young or new Providence defense.  Subban has improved his play in the second half and at times has been outstanding.  Cassidy says that, “They are competing against one another on a regular basis now.  They are pushing each other now and it’s going to go down to the wire as to who’s going to play at the end.”

Currently Providence sits in 6^th place with just five games to go in the regular season.  Albany, Hershey, and Norfolk are three to five points back.  The Bruins have a big weekend coming up as they play Albany, Norfolk, and 1^st place Manchester over the course of those three days.  The Bruins are 10^th in points overall in the entire AHL.  Their home and away records are almost identical which again shows the balance in their overall play.  The Bruins are 19-11-2-3 on home ice at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and sport a 19-12-0-5 on the road.  They also lead the league in overtime games with 23 games played and a record of 2-2-11-8 in those games.  Svedberg leads the AHL with 7 shootout wins to his credit. Rookie forward Seth Griffith is second in the league in shootout goals with seven on the season thus far.  Another rookie, Anthony Camara, leads the team in game winning goals with five; three of those were in shootout wins.

Rookies have played a significant role in the Bruins season, none more than Russian Alexander Khokhlachev.  Second among rookies in scoring with 56 points in 61 games, he, along with line mates Justin Florek and Seth Griffith, has become a force on offense. Providence presently has three 20 goal scorers in Khokhlachev, Griffith, and Craig Cunningham.  On the verge of hitting 20 goals is Florek with 19, Matt Fraser with 18, and Nick Johnson with 17 tallies.

Providence, much like their big club in Boston, can play whatever style the game takes on.  If you want to mix it up, you’ll have to deal with several willing combatants, including Bobby Robins, Tyler Randell, and Captain Mike Moore.  Robins is third in the league in fighting majors with 25 and is the heart and soul of the team.  Randell does not get many takers due to his stamina and fierce punching power. Moore, as classy a player as you’ll meet, has stood up numerous times for the more skilled Providence players.

The AHL playoffs are around the corner and Providence hasn’t lost in regulation in the last six games. The team has bought into what Head Coach Cassidy and Coach Kevin Dean have been selling all year and this bodes well as they approach the AHL tournament.

Carter Camper Traded

Blue Jackets Acquire Camper

February 7, 2014

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Carter Camper from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Blake Parlett. In addition, the Springfield Falcons traded defenseman Joe Lavin to the Providence Bruins for future considerations.

Camper, 25, has totaled 128 points (37 goals, 91 assists) in 170 career AHL games, all with Providence. In 41 games this season, the Rocky River, Ohio, native has amassed 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists), 16 penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating.

Before beginning his professional career, Camper played four seasons at Miami University from 2007-11. The 5-foot-9, 173-pound forward totaled 183 points (69 goals, 114 assists) in 156 games, including 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists) in 39 games during his senior season.

Parlett, 24, has recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 37 games with Springfield this season. In 192 career AHL games, the Bracebridge, Ont., native 76 points (18 goals, 58 assists) with the Falcons and the Connecticut Whale.

Lavin, 24, has not appeared in a regular season game with the Falcons this season. In 24 games with the ECHL’s Evansville IceMen, the Shrewsbury, Mass., native has totaled 10 points (three goals, seven assists), 20 penalty minutes and a +1 rating. Lavin spent the previous two seasons with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, totaling 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 112 games.

Spooner and Trotman Back in Providence

Ryan Spooner and Zach Trotman Assigned to Providence
Tuesday - January 28, 2014
Boston Bruins Press Release

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, January 28, that the team has activated Chris Kelly from injured reserve and assigned forward Ryan Spooner and defenseman Zach Trotman to the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League). Kelly will be eligible for Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers.

Spooner has appeared in 22 games with Boston this season, racking up 11 assists. In total, the forward has played in 28 NHL games for Boston (2012-14).

Spooner will rejoin Providence where he has skated in 21 games earlier this year, earning five goals and 18 assists for 23 points with six penalty minutes.

In total, the 21-year-old Spooner has skated is 88 AHL games with Providence from 2010 to 2014, accruing 25 goals and 62 assists for 87 points.

The 5’10’’, 180-pound native of Kanata, Ontario was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round (45th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Trotman has skated in 32 games for Providence this season and recorded four goals and eight assists with a +13 rating (tied for second on the team).

Trotman made his NHL debut earlier this season against the Senators in Ottawa on December 29, where he registered three shots on net in 16:41 time on ice. The defenseman skated in his second game with the Bruins on January 20 against the Los Angeles Kings in Boston, where he registered one shot on goal.

Prior to joining Providence, Trotman played three seasons at Lake Superior State University (2009-12) where he racked up 19 goals and 20 assists in 114 games.

The 6'3", 219-pound defenseman hails from Noblesville, Indiana and was drafted by Boston in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.