AHL Providence Bruins

Craig Weller Dealt In Five-Player Trade With Florida

Published on March 3, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller and a second round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The second round pick in 2010 will be the Tampa Bay Lightning's, which Boston acquired at last year's trade deadline along with Mark Recchi, in exchange for Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums.

With the loss of Weller, the P-Bruins have 25 players on their roster, including 14 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.

Seidenberg, 28, has skated in 62 games with the Panthers this season, registering 23 points (2g, 21a) and 33 penalty minutes. He currently leads the NHL in blocked shots with 179. Seidenberg has played 376 contests in the NHL with 113 points (17g, 96a) and 162 PIM. The native of Schwenningen, Germany, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers 172nd overall in the sixth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He recently competed on Team Germany with Bruins forward Marco Sturm at the 2010 Olympic Games, and has been a teammate of Sturm's in four international tournaments (2001 Worlds, 2002 Olympics, 2008 Worlds, 2010 Olympics). Boston will be the fifth NHL team Seidenberg has suited up for, along with Philadelphia, the Phoenix Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida. He set career-highs in all offensive categories with Carolina in 2008-09 with 30 points (5g, 25a) in 70 games played.

Bartkowski, 21, has skated in 34 games for the Ohio State University Buckeyes this year, registering 16 points (4g, 112a) and 16 PIM. Over two seasons with the Buckeyes, Bartkowski has played in 75 games with 36 points (9g, 27a) and 133 PIM. The native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was selected by Florida 190th overall in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Bitz, 25, has appeared in 45 games with the Bruins this season, recording nine points (4g, 5a). He has played in 85 career NHL games and earned 18 points (9g, 9a). The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native was selected 107th overall by the Bruins in the fourth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Weller, 29, has skated in 55 games with Providence this season, totaling four goals and 10 assists. He joined the P-Bruins from the Houston Aeros, where he appeared in five games with one assist to begin the year. The veteran forward was acquired by Boston with Alexander Fallstrom and a second round draft choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from the Minnesota Wild for Chuck Kobasew on October 18, 2009. Weller has skated in 95 career NHL games, recording 14 points (4g, 10a). The native of Calgary, Alberta, was selected by the St. Louis Blues 167th overall in the fifth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Providence continues its five-game week tonight in British Columbia against the Abbotsford Heat at 10:30 p.m. on the east coast. The club returns home to the Dunkin' Donuts Center to host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. on Friday for Sport Bottle Night. Sport bottles are free to the first 2,000 fans. On Saturday, Providence travels to face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7 p.m. The P-Bruins wrap up the week by hosting the Lowell Devils on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. for Amica Lip Balm Night. To purchase 2009-10 season tickets, Flex Tix or individual game tickets, please call the Providence Bruins ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or log on to the team website at www.providencebruins.com.

Check out the Providence Bruins Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central