Projo Bruins Blog

December 30, 2007 - January 5, 2008 Archives

The Providence Bruins announced today that right wing Alexandre Imbeault has been signed to a Professional Tryout Agreement from the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs. He is eligible to make his AHL debut tonight when Providence battles the Springfield Falcons at 7:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. With the move, the P-Bruins now have 24 players on their roster, including 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders.

Imbeault, 21, is off to nearly a point-per-game start in his rookie campaign, notching 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 30 games for Johnstown to lead the team in scoring prior to his recall. The winger has enjoyed seven multiple-point outings this season, including a career-high four points on a goal and three assists one week ago against the Wheeling Nailers. The career contest came just two days after being named to the American Conference Team for the 2008 Chase ECHL All-Star Game. Imbeault began the year by participating in training camp with Providence, scoring one goal and one assist in two games before joining the Chiefs. Before turning pro, the Montreal, Quebec, native, spent four years playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Quebec Remparts, Victoriaville Tigres and, most recently, Chicoutimi Sagueneens. In his junior career, Imbeault scored 90 goals while adding 118 assists for 208 points in 245 games.

BOSTON -- The Bruins today acquired defenseman Shane Hnidy and a sixth-round 2008 draft choice for forward Brandon Bochenski. Hnidy is expected to be available for the Bruins' game Thursday night against Washington.

A veteran of 369 games over his seven years in the NHL, Hnidy, 32, has tallied 1 goal and 2 assists in 33 games for the Ducks this season. He is currently riding a streak where he is plus or even in 16 consecutive games (+8 over the 16 game span). Last year as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, he recorded career bests in games played (72), goals (5), assists (7) and plus/minus rating (+15).

Hnidy was originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round (173 overall) of the 1994 draft. He was traded to the Ottawa Senators on June 25, 2000 for an eighth-round pick in the 2000 NHL draft and made his NHL debut with the Senators on Oct. 5, 2000 against the Bruins. Hnidy played three-plus seasons in Ottawa before being dealt to the Nashville Predators on March 9, 2004. After playing the 2004-2005 season in Florida of the ECHL, he was acquired by the Atlanta Thrashers on July 30, 2005. He signed with Anaheim as a free agent on July 5, 2007.

Bochenski appeared in 20 games this season for the Bruins and registered six assists. Obtained by the Bruins in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on February 3, 2007, Bochenski tallied 11 goals and 11 assists in 31 games last year. Bochenski has 21 goals and 26 assists over his 101-game NHL career.