Sobotka, 20, returns to Providence for the first time since being recalled to the NHL on January 11. The rookie center split the season between Boston and Providence, appearing in 48 regular season games with the big club while amassing seven points (g, 6a), plus another six Stanley Cup Playoff contests, where he scored two goals. Boston’s season came to an end Monday night, falling in the seventh game of its first round series with the Montreal Canadiens.

Sobotka enjoyed a 14-game NHL call-up from November 23, 2007 into late-December, making his NHL debut on the road against the New York Islanders on November 24, 2007. The forward’s first NHL point came on December 12, 2007, recording an assist against the Atlanta Thrashers. During Sobotka’s second call-up, he enjoyed several other NHL firsts, including his first goal at the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 13, his only multiple-point game with two assists April 4 versus the Ottawa Senators, his playoff debut at Montreal on April 12 and the first of two playoff goals five nights later.

A native of Trebic, Czech Republic, Sobotka comes back to Providence, where he had 20 points (10g, 10a) and a plus-12 rating in 18 regular season games. His best offensive stretch came during an eight-game points-streak (4g, 7a) from October 27, 2007 to November 18, 2007. He is presently riding a three-game points-streak at the AHL level, amassing three goals and six points during that time. Prior to going pro, the Trebic, Czech Republic, native spent the past four seasons playing for the Slavia and Slavia Jr. teams in the Czech Republic. Sobotka was also a member of the Czech Republic’s team that competed in the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships. At the 2007 tournament, Sobotka was named the Czech Republic’s Second Star by a panel of coaches. He was drafted by Boston 106th overall in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters announced as finalists. The winner will be announced Thursday, June 12 during the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special, which will be broadcast live throughout Canada on CBC and the United States on VERSUS from the historic Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

Chara enjoyed a career year this season, establishing career highs in goals (17), assists (34) and points (51). He led the B's and ranked eighth in the league with 223 hits and finished a team-best +14 on the year.

This marks the second Norris nomination for Chara as he finished second to New Jersey's Scott Niedermayer in 2004.

Coach Guy Carbonneau said Streit was injured in the second period of Game 4 on Tuesday in Boston and is day to day. Michael Ryder will replace Streit.

Montreal leads the best-of-7 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series 3-1 and can wrap it up with a victory Thursday.

Streit splits his time playing defense and left wing and the right point on the power play. Patrice Brisebois will likely take over the point.

Defenseman Francis Bouillon (ankle) and captain Saku Koivu (fractured foot) are also missing for Montreal. Neither is expected to play in the series.

Gordon, 45, is in his eighth season coaching in Providence and his fifth full year as the P-Bruins' head coach. Since taking over for Mike Sullivan late in the 2002-03 season, Gordon has compiled a record of 219-139-20-14-13 (W-L-T-OTL-SOL) in 405 regular-season games and has guided Providence to the Calder Cup playoffs each year, including a trip to the conference finals in 2005.

This season has been Gordon’s best behind the bench as Providence sits atop the AHL standings with a record of 53-16-3-4 for 113 points. With four remaining regular season contests, Providence can still eclipse its franchise marks of 56 wins and 120 points, both set during the club’s 1998-99 Calder Cup championship season. The P-Bruins are three points away from clinching the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the AHL’s overall regular season points-champion, which would give them home-ice advantage throughout the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

On the year, Providence ranks second in the AHL in offense, averaging 3.55 goals per game, and the club is first in both shots on goal taken (34.24) and fewest shots allowed (25.55) per contest. The P-Bruins are also a perfect 32-0-0-0 when leading after two periods, the second straight year they have posted an unblemished record in that situation.

Gordon, the PlanetUSA head coach at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok, began his coaching career with the International Hockey League’s Atlanta Knights, serving as both the head coach and as an assistant from 1994-96. He also spent two seasons as both the head coach and an assistant of the IHL’s Quebec Rafales from 1996-98. When Gordon was named the head coach of the Knights on January 5, 1996, he became at 32-years-old, the youngest head coach in the league’s 53-year history. Gordon’s next move came in 1998-99, when he was named the head coach of the Roanoke Express of the East Coast Hockey League. He led the club to consecutive first-place finishes in the Northeast Division while compiling an 82-42-16 overall regular season record. The 1999-2000 Express set franchise records for wins (44), points (94) and fewest goals against (181).

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, the native of Easton, Massachusetts, enjoyed a four-year playing career as a goaltender for the Boston College Eagles from 1982-86, posting a 64-35-3 record over that span. He backstopped the Eagles to a NCAA Final Four appearance in 1985 and was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star in 1986. Following the completion of his collegiate career, Gordon began his professional playing career in 1986-87 when he signed a contract with the National Hockey League’s Quebec Nordiques. Along with parts of six seasons in the AHL from 1986-92, Gordon appeared in 23 career NHL games, all with the Nordiques.

Providence last boasted a Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award winner when Peter Laviolette, now the head man on the bench for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, received the award in 1998-99 en route to guiding the club to its only Calder Cup championship.

The Providence Bruins have served as the primary American Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins since their inception in 1992, making the affiliation between Boston and Providence one of the longest standing player-development agreements in either league*s history. The new eight-year extension will see the Providence-to-Boston pipeline continue through the 2015-16 season.

"The partnership between the Boston and Providence organizations has never been stronger and we are excited to extend our affiliation agreement," said Chiarelli. "The close proximity of the two cities makes the relationship mutually beneficial for both teams on the hockey operations and marketing sides of our businesses.

*H. Larue Renfroe and his leadership group have shown true foresight in both their guidance of the Providence Bruins and their implementation of improvements to the Dunkin' Donuts Center. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with this new agreement."

"We're excited to continue our long term partnership with the Boston Bruins," said Providence Bruins owner H. Larue Renfroe. "We take a lot of pride in helping develop the top Boston Bruins prospects and we look forward to continuing that role over the next eight
seasons."

Over their 16 seasons, the P-Bruins have made the playoffs 14 times (including this season) and won the Calder Cup Championship in 1999. Currently, Providence holds the best record in the AHL at 47-15-3-3 (100 points).

Sigalet returned to action with the P-Bruins in January after missing close to two months following an on-ice collapse due to complications of multiple sclerosis. He was diagnosed with MS in March 2004.

According to AHL bylaws, only the players listed on a team’s Clear Day roster are eligible to compete in the remainder of the 2007-08 regular season and 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, unless emergency conditions arise as a result of recall, injury or suspension. Teams may also add signed junior players or players on amateur tryout contracts after their respective junior or college seasons are complete.

The P-Bruins’ Clear Day roster consists of goalies Tuukka Rask and Jordan Sigalet, forwards Byron Bitz, Chris Collins, Matt Hendricks, Jeff Hoggan, Martins Karsums, Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Petteri Nokelainen, Pascal Pelletier, Wacey Rabbit, Vladimir Sobotka, Nate Thompson and T.J. Trevelyan, along with defensemen Sean Curry, Matt Hunwick, Matt Lashoff, Adam McQuaid, Jonathan Sigalet, Brett Skinner and Dwayne Zinger.

Pelletier, 24, receives the call-up exactly one week after being named a starter for the Canadian team in the upcoming 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok and two weeks after receiving the league’s CCM/AHL Player of the Month Award for the month of December 2007, during which he had 13 goals and 23 points. Overall, the fourth-year pro and third-year P-Bruin leads the AHL in goals with 24 and ranks fourth in the league with 48 points in 40 games. Pelletier’s plus-17 rating is good for a sixth-place tie in the AHL.

The native of Labrador City, Newfoundland, has put together two lengthy points-streaks this year, one of nine games early in the season and another of eight games that came to an end last weekend. Pelletier notched his 200th professional point with the first of two power play goals against the Albany River Rats on December 27, 2007. The winger has 16 multi-point games this season and has received a star in 15 of Providence’s 40 contests. He originally joined the P-Bruins on December 16, 2005 from the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators.

Sidney Crosby is starting to do the same.

Crosby, the 20-year-old reigning NHL MVP, topped All-Star voting for the second straight year and will start again for the Eastern Conference, the league announced Tuesday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain, in his third NHL season, received 507,274 votes, nearly 200,000 more than anyone else in the East, and about 30,000 more than West leader Nicklas Lidstrom.

For Boston, Zdeno Chara will make his third All-Star appearance.

Detroit placed three players in the All-Star starting lineup, the second straight year a team has done so. The Buffalo Sabres did it last season for the East en route to their first Presidents' Trophy.

Lidstrom, a five-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, will join Red Wings teammates Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in the Western Conference starting lineup Jan. 27 in Atlanta.

Lidstrom, who received 477,787 votes, will partner with Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf on the blue line while Jarome Iginla - also of the Flames - plays up front with Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

Zetterberg and Datsyuk are among eight first-time All-Star starters. Iginla and Phaneuf, who have helped Calgary take over first place in the Northwest Division, are also set to make their initial starts in the midseason game.

Vancouver's Roberto Luongo got the starting nod in goal for the West.

Crosby, who entered Tuesday ranked fourth in the NHL with 57 points, got the most votes again but earned 318,509 fewer votes - a 39 percent drop - than he garnered for the 2007 game in Dallas when approximately 28 million ballots were cast.

Last year, Crosby at 19 years, five months, became the youngest player voted into the starting lineup since fan balloting began in 1986. He went on to be the NHL's youngest scoring champion with 120 points.

His linemates in Atlanta will be current scoring leader Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators right winger Daniel Alfredsson, who both will be making their first All-Star starts. Lecavalier is going to his third All-Star game, while Alfredsson will play in his fifth.

"The first time, I was young and I was nervous being with all these older guys," the 27-year-old Lecavalier said. "To be voted on there is special. I never thought I'd go in like that. I'm the old guy now."

On defense will be fellow first-time starters Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens and Chara. Markov is the only starter making his first All-Star appearance.

New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur was elected for the fourth time and will take part in his 10th All-Star game, tying Lidstrom for the most among this year's starters. Lidstrom is in the starting lineup for the eighth time.

"It is more of a recognition, no question, but I don't know if it means more," Alfredsson said of his starting assignment. "All-Star weekend is a lot of fun no matter how you get into it."

Surprisingly, the league's top two goal scorers, Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers (34 goals) and Washington's Alex Ovechkin - tied with Iginla with 32 - weren't elected to start for the East. Ovechkin was fifth in votes among forwards with 177,574, while Kovalchuk came in sixth with 173,629.

"This league is really young," Lecavalier said. "The last time I went to the All-Star game all these young guys that were in the room, it was unbelievable. It's great to see. There is great future in the NHL with guys like Sidney and Ovechkin."

Lecavalier and Crosby are both centers, but there was no doubt in Lecavalier's mind who will take that spot in Atlanta.

"I'll go on the left wing," he said with a laugh.

It is only fitting that Red Wings make up half the West's starting lineup since Detroit is running away with the Central Division and has a commanding edge in the race for home-ice advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

Detroit entered play Tuesday with a mark of 32-8-3 and 67 points, 15 more than Dallas. The Red Wings became the first NHL team to win 30 games in the first half of the season when they beat the Stars last Wednesday.

Zetterberg was chosen to his second All-Star team, but sat out last year due to an injury. Phaneuf and Datsyuk are also All-Stars for the second time, and Iginla will play in his fourth.
Luongo was voted to the West starting lineup for the second straight season following his trade from Florida to Vancouver in 2006, and will be an All-Star for the third time.

This marked the 20th year that fans determined the starting lineups for the NHL All-Star game. Voting took place online and by cell phone only for the second straight season.

Western Conference reserves, chosen by the NHL's hockey operations department along with general managers, will be announced Thursday. The rest of the Eastern Conference roster will be revealed Friday.

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.

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.

Franck, 26, comes to Providence from the Central Hockey League’s Youngstown Steelhounds, where he leads the league with 11 wins and ranks fifth with a 2.40 goals-against-average. Overall, Franck is 11-2-1. The third-year pro out of Mercyhurst College began his career in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers, winning 60 games, including eight shutouts, in 114 contests over his two seasons prior to joining Wheeling. In his career, Franck is 71-43-10 with a 2.85 GAA in 128 games. The native of Lakewood, Ohio, enjoyed a seven-game winning-streak earlier this year from October 19 to November 4, as well as CHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the week of October 21.

Nie, 22, began this season in the ECHL with the Johnstown Chiefs, going 5-2 with a 3.20 GAA in seven appearances. The Nanticoke, Ontario, native returns to Johnstown having appeared in one AHL game, the P-Bruins 5-1 loss to the Manchester Monarchs last Sunday. In the game, Nie blocked 10 of 12 shots in 43:20 minutes of relief of Mike Brown. The appearance was the first of his AHL career.

Glen Murray scored two goals and Marc Savard had three assists as the Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-3, tonight at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. Click here to see the box score from projo Stats. In the first meeting between the teams since Philadelphia's Randy Jones knocked out Patrice Bergeron on Oct. 27 in Boston, the Bruins' Jeremy Reich tangled early with Philadelphia's Ben Eager, but it was mostly a clean game.

The win was Boston's fifth in its last seven contests; the Bruins next visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.