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AHL Providence Bruins

Boston Bruins Recall Nickulas and Leach

November 7, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced that the Boston Bruins have recalled from loan right wing Eric Nickulas and defenseman Jay Leach. They will be with Boston Tuesday, November 8 when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers. The Bruins have also reassigned goaltender Mike Brown to South Carolina (ECHL).

Nickulas, 30, is playing in his ninth professional season. In six games with Providence this season, Nickulas is tied for third on the team in scoring with seven points (3g, 4a). The Hyannis, Massachusetts native spent two games with Boston last week. Nickulas 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). Currently, the right wing sits first all-time in Bruins game winning goals (13) and ninth all-time in goals (60).

Nickulas was drafted by Boston as their third pick, 99th overall, in the 1994 NHL Draft and played his first game with Boston on January 7, 1999. He spent parts of five seasons in the NHL, with Boston, the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. The 2003-04 season was Nickulas' first full season in the NHL and he tallied 20 points (8g, 12a) in 65 games.

Leach, 25, is playing his fifth professional season. Saturday, the Syracuse, New York native made his NHL debut and recorded seven PIM. In seven games this season with Providence, he is +3 with no points. Last year, the Providence College graduate was a member of the Providence Bruins team, which went to the Eastern Conference Finals. With Providence, Leach had nine points (4g, 5a) in 62 games. During the playoffs, the defenseman led the team in plus/minus at +8. Leach was originally drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes as their fifth pick, 115th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Before joining the Bruins in 2003, Leach played for the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Springfield Falcons.

The Black and Gold are back in action Friday, November 11 when they face the Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope at 7:15 p.m. The Bruins return home to host the Manchester Monarchs on Friday, November 18 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available online at providencebruins.com, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center box office and at all TicketMaster outlets. For more information, please contact the Bruins' ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or log on to the team website.

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