AHL Providence Bruins

Bruins training camp open Monday, Boston assigns eight players to Providence

September 15, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced today that training camp will open Monday, September 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Sports Center, Rte. 146; North Smithfield, RI. Also, the Boston Bruins assigned defensemen Bobby Gates, Jesse Lane and Evan Shaw and forwards Milan Gajic, Brian McConnell, Scott Mifsud, Benoit Mondou and Adam Paiement to the Providence Bruins training camp.

Gajic, 24, spent the last four seasons playing college hockey at the University of Michigan where he had 115 points (53g, 62a) and 148 PIM in 158 career games. Last season, he had career highs in games played (42), goals (20), points (39), power-play goals (9) and tied plus/minus (+4). Gajic also finished third in the team's scoring race with 39 points (20g, 19a) in 42 games and was named the team's Most Improved Player. The Vancouver, British Columbia native was the Atlanta Thrashers fourth pick, 112th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Gates, 21, played for the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) the past two seasons. The Providence, Rhode Island native had 14 points (6g, 8a) and 52 PIM in 64 regular season games during the 2004-05 season. In eight playoff games, Gates had two assists and eight penalty minutes.

Lane, 22, was the Carolina Hurricanes third pick, 91st overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. The Boston, Massachusetts native spent the 2003-04 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In 24 games he had 14 points (1g, 13a) and 50 PIM. Lane also spent two seasons in the QMJHL from 2001-2003, where in 118 games had 115 points (30g, 85a) and 177 PIM.

McConnell, 22, was the Calgary Flames second pick, 39th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. For the past four seasons, the Norfolk, Massachusetts native played for Boston University. In 149 career collegiate games, McConnell had 88 points (42g, 46a) and 277 PIM. In 2001-02 the center was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team when he had his best season tallying 26 points (11g, 15a) and 68 PIM in 38 games.

Mifsud, 23, played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Vermont. In 132 career collegiate games he posted 112 points (46g, 66a) and 126 PIM. Last season, he was named to the ECAC All-Conference Second Team. His 48 points was also the most scored in a season for Vermont since Martin St. Louis had 60 in 1996-97. The Burlington, Ontario native led the ECAC in scoring for the 2004-05 season and tied for tenth in the nation.

Mondou, 20, was Boston's ninth pick, 247th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. For the past four seasons the Montreal, Quebec native played 249 games in the QMJHL, recording 286 points (86g, 200a) and 145 penalty minutes. For the past two seasons, Mondou led Shawinigan Cataractes in scoring. During the 2004-05 season, the center had 59 points (16g, 43a) and 44 PIM in 57 games. For the 2003-04 season, Mondou had a career high 95 points (34g, 61a) and 32 PIM in 68 games. His father, Pierre, played nine seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Canadians.

Paiement, 23, is entering his third professional season. Last season with the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League (CHL), the Mississauga, Ontario native finished fourth on the team in scoring with 39 points (19g, 20a) in 44 games. During the 2003-04 season, Paiement spent four regular season games between Laredo and the San Antonio Rampage before skating in 16 playoff games with Laredo where he posted 6 points (5g, 1a) and eight PIM. Prior to turning pro, Paiement played four seasons with the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 217 career junior games, he had 163 points (74g, 89a) and 173 PIM.

Shaw, 21, played the past three seasons with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. In 159 career junior games, the Narragansett, Rhode Island native tallied 33 points (5g, 28a) and 224 PIM. Prior to joining Quebec, the defenseman played nine games at Michigan State University, where he had two penalty minutes.

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. 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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