Projo Bruins Blog

September 2007 Archives

The Providence Bruins today released forwards Jamison Orr and Matt Syroczynski and defensemen B.J. Crum and Bill LeClerc from training camp, while adding center Brad Schell.

The P-Bruins training camp roster now stands at 26 players including 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.

Training camp continues today at the Rhode Island Sports Center, Rte. 146, North Smithfield, RI and is open to the public. The P-Bruins will have their second pre-season game tonight at 7 p.m., when they take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in Shelton, Connecticut.

Schell, 23, is entering his fourth pro season after splitting the past three years with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators. In 22 career AHL games, the Scott, Saskatchewan native had seven points (3g, 4a) and two PIM. In 194 ECHL games, Schell tallied 242 points (62g, 180a) and 118 PIM. The 6’0’’, 190 lb. center set career season highs last year with 110 points (25g, 85a) in 63 games as he led the ECHL in scoring. Prior to turning pro, Schell spent five seasons in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. In 239 career junior games, Schell recorded 182 points (70g, 112a) and 99 PIM. Schell was originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 6th round, 167th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

The Boston Bruins today assigned right wing Martins Karsums and goaltender Tuukka Rask to Providence (AHL).

Following these roster moves, the Bruins have 28 players remaining in camp.

The Boston Bruins today acquired defenseman Nathan Saunders and defenseman Brett Skinner from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Mark Mowers. Both Saunders and Skinner have been assigned to Providence (AHL).

Originally drafted by the Ducks in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Saunders split time between the August Lynx (ECHL) and Portland Pirates (AHL) last season. He appeared in 59 games for the Lynx where he tallied one goal and 13 assists and played 16 games for Portland recording three assists. He saw action in 261 games for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL from 2001-2005 and registered 14-73-87 totals with 794 penalty minutes while with Moncton. The 22-year-old Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island native made his professional debut with the Portland Pirates in the 2005-2006 season.

24-year-old Brett Skinner was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round (68th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft before being dealt to Anaheim on March 9, 2006. He played for three different teams in 2006-2007, including the Portland Pirates (AHL), Augusta Lynx (ECHL) and Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL). Skinner won back-to-back National Championships with the University of Denver in 2004 and 2005. His first professional experience came with the Manitoba Moose during the 2005-2006 season where he recorded 4-21-25 totals in 65 games.

Mowers established career highs in games played (78), goals (5) and assists (12) as a member of the Bruins last season. For his NHL career, Mowers has played in 261 games between Nashville, Detroit and Boston and has notched 17 goals and 44 assists. Mowers was signed by the Bruins as a free agent on July 6, 2006.

Following the move the Bruins have 30 players remaining in training camp.

-- BOSTON BRUINS PRESS RELEASE

Ok, I may be getting ahead of myself, especially since this is my first day at training camp, but the Bruins do look good.

New coach Claude Julien seems to have created an up-tempo style of play in the two practices I've watched this morning at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington.

The Bruins will face the New Jersey Devils in the in their second preseason game in Manchester, N.H. tonight with Manny Fernandez getting the nod between the pipes. Rookie netminder Tuukka Rask wil serve as the backup.

Bruins assistant captain Patrice Bergeron battled injuries all last season and he just said he's healthy and ready to go. Boston needs Bergy to have a big year and he said he's ready for the challenge.

There have been a few surprises at camp this season, including forward Pascal Pellitier and rookie defensemen Andrew Bodnarchuk and Matt Hunwick.

Pellts could easily be a guy who makes the team out of camp. Julien said he's been impressed with him.

"He's been good," said the coach. "Actually, he's been very good. I like his work ethic and his dedication. He's had a really good camp, probably well above what was expected of him."

"He's a high-engergy guy," added Julien. "He's gritty and he gets his nose dirty."

Pellts played in all 80 games for the P-Bruins last season and recorded 49 points (14 goals and 35 assists). The 24-year-old was one of only a few players from Providence not called up to Boston last season, and he said he took it personal.

"I came to camp in really good shape and I lost a lot of body fat," said Pelletier. "I think I've opened some eyes."

There's a good chance Pelletier could make the team, if not he'll be one of the first players called up from Providence if he can continue to play the way he has during camp.

Bodnarchuk made his professional debut with the P-Bruins last season, playing just one game at the conclusion of his junior season with Halifax. The 19-year-old blueliner has played better than some of the veteran rookies on the club. If he does not make the team out of camp, he'll return to Halifax.

Hunwick, the 22-year-old product of the University of Michigan, has also opened some eyes and he will likely be a mainstay in Providence with a solid chance of helping Boston at some point this season.

I'll have a feature on all three "surprises" in tomorrow's Journal. . .

The Boston Bruins today announced that four players who have been with the team in training camp will rejoin their Junior clubs, three will be invited to the Providence Bruins training camp and two will be assigned to the P-Bruins

The four players returning to their Junior teams are right wing Jordan Knackstedt (Moose Jaw - WHL), defenseman Denis Reul (Lewiston MAINEiacs - QMJHL), defenseman Radim Ostrcil (Ottawa 67's - OHL), and goaltender Adam Courchaine (Ottawa 67's - OHL).

Defenseman Daryl Boyle, center Reid Jorgensen and left wing Jamison Orr will be invited to attend the Providence Bruins training camp, which is scheduled to begin Saturday.

Left wing Chris Collins and goaltender Mike Brown have been assigned to Providence.

The Boston Bruins today acquired center/right wing Petteri Nokelainen from the New York Islanders for center Ben Walter and a conditional second-round pick in 2009.

The 16th overall pick in the 2004 draft, Nokelainen appeared in 15 games for the Islanders during the 2005-2006 season, notching one goal and one assist. Prior to joining the Islanders, Nokelainen played for SaiPa Lappeenranta in his native Finland and tallied 20 goals in 94 games from 2002-2005. Last season in 60 games, the 6-foot-1, 191 pound center had six goals and 10 assists for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL.

The 21-year-old Nokelainen has played for Team Finland in two World Junior Championships and was a teammate of Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask on Finland's 2005 squad. He led the World U-18 Tournament in scoring with five goals and six assists in 2004.

Walter saw action in 10 games for the Boston Bruins after being selected in the fifth round (160 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In 135 games during two seasons with Providence, Walter totaled 40 goals and 67 assists. He appeared in four games last year with Boston.