Projo Bruins Blog

June 29, 2008 - July 5, 2008 Archives

The R. I. Reds Heritage Society's eighth annual reunion at Goddard State Park in Warwick on Sunday, August 3, now expects a record-breaking roster of 38 former Reds and other ex-pro hockey players.

Added recently were old-time Reds' players Jimmy Bartlett, Ivan Irwin, Wayne Muloin and Dan Poliziani, plus ex-pro brothers Bill and Tim Army, four Bennett brothers - Bill, Curt , Harvey, Jr. and Jim - and the father-son combo of Don and Tom Mellor. The Armys, Bennetts and Mellors all are Rhode Island natives.

Because of its largest player turnout ever and resulting fan enthusiasm, the society is extending the deadline for reservations to July 19. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

>> Continue reading: 38 former Reds and other ex-pro hockey players expected at Heritage Society's annual reunion

The reaction has been (mostly) positive after the Bruins signed former Canadiens forward Michael Ryder (left) on Monday night.

After it became obvious to them that they wouldn't be signing Marian Hossa -- who appears to be headed to Detroit on a one-year, $7.45 million deal -- the Bruins turned to their second free-agent forward on their list, Ryder. The blog New England Hockey Journal says the Bruins feel Ryder's slump to 14 goals last year after back-to-back 30-goal seasons was due to a combination of factors -- including his landing in coach Guy Carbonneau's doghouse -- that have nothing to do with a loss of skill. TSN.ca notes the move reunites Ryder with Claude Julien, who coached him in Montreal, Hamilton of the American Hockey League and Hull of the Quebec Major Junior League.

The Sporting News' Chuck Gormley gives the acquisition a 'B' grade and adds "if Patrice Bergeron comes back healthy . . . [that, along with signings of Ryder and Blake Wheeler might get] the Bruins . . . to the top of the Northeast [Division]."

The blog The Bear Cave reports the Bruins also lost three players in free agency yesterday -- goalie Alex Auld to Ottawa, and forward Glen Metropolit and defenseman Sean Curry going together to Philadelphia.

One last note: The Bruins today re-signed forward Petteri Nokelainen to a multi-year contract. The Imatra, Finland native spent the majority of the 2007-08 season in Boston and posted the highest NHL totals of his career for game appearances (57), goals (7), assists (3), and points (10). He also played in all seven games in the postseason for Boston and contributed 2 assists.