Projo Bruins Blog

Alex Zhamnov finally made his Bruins debut against the Senators last night. It's been a long time coming for the 35-year-old Russian centerman, who missed the first 17 games of the season due to a bruised shoulder he suffered in the last preseason game against the New York Rangers.

"It's just nice to come back," he said prior to last night's game. "I can play games and not skate by myself anymore. This will be a good test for me, but I just need to skate well and it will be interesting."

"I'm as excited as you guys are," said coach Mike Sullivan of Zhamnov's debut. "I know how good he is and I know what he can bring to our team. He is a top-tier player in this league and we're excited that he is in our lineup."

He signed with the Bruins as a free agent on Aug. 4 after spending the majority of his 13-year career with Chicago. He played only 24 games (27 points) for Vityaz Chekhov of the Russia2 league during last year's lockout and he realizes that there will be a little rust for his first couple of games with Boston.

"I just have to do my job and nothing extra," he said. "I just have to play simple hockey. It's definitely going to be tough because practice and games are really different. If I just play my game I'll be fine."

He is wearing No. 10 for the Black and Gold and becomes the 23 player in team history to don that sweater, joining (in alphabetical order) Charlie Burns (1959-63), Bob Davie (1933-36), Ferny Flaman (1944-51, 1954-61), Fred Gordon (1927-28), Thomas Gradin (1986-87), Ken Hodge (1990-92), Tom Johnson (1963-65), Dmitri Kvartalnov (1992-94), Joe Lamb (1932-34), Hal Loycoe (1950-56), Cameron Mann (1997-2001), Gilles Marotte (1965-67), Sandy McCarthy (2003-2004), Marty McInnis (2001-2003), Jim Morrison (1951-59), Billy O’Dwyer (1987-90), Barry Pederson (1980-86; 1991-92), Jean Ratelle (1975-81), Eddie Rodden (1928-29), Rick Smith (1968-72; 1976-80), Allan Stanley (1956-58) and Carol Vadnais (1971-76).

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