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AHL Providence Bruins

Boston Assigns Sauve to Providence

November 27, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced today that goaltender Hannu Toivonen has been called up to the Boston Bruins, while fellow netminder Philippe Sauve returns to the P-Bruins. Providence now has 25 players on its roster, including 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Toivonen, 22, was 1-4-0 with a 3.33 goal-against-average in five games with the P-Bruins this season since being assigned to Providence on November 7. In seven games prior with Boston, the fourth-year goalie was 2-3-0 (one no decision) with a 4.20 GAA. Taken 29th overall by Boston in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Toivonen last played for Providence during the 2004-05 NHL lockout season, compiling a 29-18-3 record and 2.05 GAA in 54 games, two wins shy of the P-Bruins' all-time single-season record. That year, the native of Hattula, Finland, also appeared in 17 post-season contests while leading Providence to the Calder Cup Finals. The prior season, 2003-04, Toivonen went 15-16-4 with a 2.30 GAA. In his first full season in the NHL a year ago, the now fourth-year pro was 9-5-4 with a 2.63 GAA in 20 games.

Sauve, 26, is in his seventh professional season. This year, the netminder, acquired in a trade from the Phoenix Coyotes' organization on November 14, is 5-6 with a 3.75 GAA in 11 AHL contests. With Providence, Sauve is 1-1 with a 3.53 GAA after ten games with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, going 4-5 with a 3.80 GAA. After being called up to Boston on November 24, Sauve appeared in one game, playing 29 minutes in no-decision relief of Tim Thomas that evening against the Carolina Hurricanes. He stopped 13 shots while allowing two goals. Last year, Sauve began the season with the Calgary Flames before being traded to the Coyotes with Steve Reinprecht for Brian Boucher and Mike Leclerc. In 13 games he went 3-7. Prior to the 2005-06 season, Sauve was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Coyotes for a conditional draft pick. Sauve made his NHL debut on October 18, 2003 with the Avalanche in a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. That season, the Buffalo, New York native played in 17 games for the Avalanche going 7-7-3 with a 3.04 GAA. In 2002-03, Sauve spent his third season with the AHL's Hershey Bears setting career highs in minutes played, games played (60) and wins (26), while being named Hershey's Team MVP for the third consecutive season. In 2001-02, his 2.13 GAA was the second lowest in franchise history and he led the AHL in games played, ranked second for wins, minutes played, shutouts and goals against average. Sauve was originally drafted by the Avalanche in the second round (38th overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

The Providence Bruins get back to action on home ice Friday, December 1 against the Lowell Devils at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, December 3 versus the Albany River Rats at 4:05 p.m. Information on tickets and Providence Bruins season ticket packages for the 2006-07 regular season can be obtained by calling the team ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging onto www.providencebruins.com.

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