AHL Providence Bruins

Boston Bruins assign eight players to Providence

Published on September 29, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins have assigned defensemen Jonathan Girard and Mark Stuart and forwards Zdenek Blatny, Eric Healey, Pat Leahy, Eric Nickulas, Tyler Redenbach and Nate Thompson to Providence's training camp. The Providence Bruins have also released right wing John Ronan from training camp.

Blatny, 24, enters his fourth professional season. Last year the Brno, Czech Republic native had nine points (4g, 5a) and 60 PIM playing in Europe. Blatny split the 2003-04 season between the Atlanta Thrashers and their AHL affiliate the Chicago Wolves. In 77 games, the left wing had 37 points (14g, 23a) and 121 PIM. Blatny made his NHL debut in the 2002-03 season and spent four games with Atlanta. He played 72 games with Chicago and recorded 21 points (12g, 9a) and 62 PIM. Blatny was chosen by Atlanta in round three, 68th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Girard, 25, enters his sixth professional season. For the past two seasons he has been off the ice rehabilitating from injuries suffered in a July 24, 2003 car accident. During the 2002-03 season, the Rawdon, Quebec native played 73 games in Boston tallying career season highs in all offensive categories with 22 points (6g, 16a) and 21 PIM. Girard will be entering his fourth season in Providence after spending 1999-2002 with the Providence Bruins. In 2001-02 he played in the AHL All-Star Game. In 150 career NHL games Girard has 44 points (10g, 34a) and 46 PIM. The defenseman was Boston's first pick, 48th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Healey, 30, enters his eighth professional season. The Hull, Massachusetts native spent two seasons with the Manchester Monarchs (AHL) from 2001-03, leading the team in scoring both seasons. In 2002-03, Healey had 73 points (42g, 31a) in 75 games. His 42 goals led the league. In 2001-02, Healey tallied 58 points (24g, 34a) in 65 games and was selected for the 2002 AHL All-Star Game. During the 2003-04 season, Healey played for the Chicago Wolves (AHL), finishing second on the team in points and first in goals with 51 points (31g, 20a) in 72 games. Last season, Healey skated overseas in the German Elite League with Mannheim where he had 29 points (16g, 13a) in 50 games.

Leahy, 26, enters his fifth professional season and fourth in the Bruins' organization. Last season, the Duxbury, Massachusetts native played 38 games for Providence, tallying 15 points (1g, 14a) and 18 PIM. During the 2003-04 season, Leahy had 30 points (14g, 16a) and 37 PIM in 55 games with Providence, while making his NHL debut with Boston on December 6, 2003 versus the Philadelphia Flyers. The 2002-03 season was Leahy's first with Providence where he recorded 43 points (20g, 23a) and 63 PIM in 66 games. He set career highs in goals, assists and points, while finishing fifth on the Bruins in scoring. His +14 rating was second highest on the team. Before joining the Bruins, Leahy played in the 2002 Calder Cup Finals as a rookie with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and was the New York Rangers fifth pick (fifth round), 122nd overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Nickulas, 30, enters his ninth professional season. The Hyannis, Massachusetts native spent three seasons with Providence from 1998-2001, winning the Calder Cup with the Bruins in 1998-99. During that season he was second on the team and third in the league in playoff scoring with 20 points (8g, 12a) in 18 games. Nickulas dominated during the post-season with Providence ranking third all-time in points (33), second in goals (14), and fourth in assists (19). Following the 2000-01 season, Nickulas was named the Bruins' MVP and earned the Three Stars Award. Currently, the right wing sits first all-time in Bruins game winning goals (13) and tenth all-time in goals (57).

Redenbach, 20, enters his rookie season. The Melville, Saskatchewan native spent the last four seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Last season Redenbach split time between the Swift Current Broncos and the Lethbridge Hurricanes and in 65 games had 63 points (19g, 44a) and 63 PIM. During the 2003-04 season, the center won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's top scorer posting 105 points (31g, 74a) and 52 PIM.

Stuart, 21, played three seasons at Colorado College compiling 54 points (12g, 42a) and 275 PIM in 118 games. The Rochester, Minnesota native was selected by the Bruins with their first pick, 21st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Following the 2002-03 season, Stuart was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team. In 2004-05 he was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and earned WCHA Second Team All-Star Honors.

Thompson, 20, spent the past four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In four junior seasons, the Anchorage, Alaska native had 143 points (55g, 88a) and 153 PIM in 253 games. Last season, Thompson helped lead Seattle to a first place finish in their division, before joining Providence for eleven playoff games, where he had an assist. He was Boston's eighth pick, 183rd overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2005-06 season opens up at home at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Friday, October 14th at 7:05 p.m. against the Portland Pirates. Training camp continues tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center - Providence. The Bruins play their second pre-season game tomorrow night against the Springfield Falcons at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Information for Providence Bruins season ticket packages for the upcoming 2005-06 regular season can be obtained by calling the team ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging onto the team website at www.providencebruins.com.

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