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AHL Providence Bruins

Downey Returns to Providence

March 1, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced today that they have reacquired veteran winger Aaron Downey, who last played for the P-Bruins during the 1999-00 campaign, on reassignment from the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. In return, the Boston Bruins have reassigned goaltender Philippe Sauve to the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. With the moves, Providence's roster remains at 24 players, including 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders.

Downey, 32, is a seasoned 11-year professional who enjoyed a three-year run in Providence from 1997-00, during which time the club won a Calder Cup championship in 1998-99. He is the P-Bruins all-time leader in penalty minutes with 1,029 PIM. The right wing also led the club in penalty minutes in all three seasons, including a current franchise record of 407 PIM in his first year, lessened by only six the following campaign. Downey has not played in the AHL since 2001-02 with the Norfolk Admirals, since seeing time in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues and, most recently, Montreal. He also appeared in one game with Boston, his NHL debut in 1999-00. A native of Shelburne, Ontario, Downey began his career in 1995-96 with the Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL, where he played two seasons and enjoyed separate call-ups to the then International Hockey League's Manitoba Moose and AHL's Portland Pirates before landing in Providence full time. As a pro, the fan favorite has 122 points (54g, 68a) and 2,383 PIM in 596 games, 200 with the P-Bruins and 183 in the NHL. The forward comes to Providence two days after Montreal assigned him to Hamilton.

Providence made a pair of additional roster moves today, calling up Ryan Lang from the ECHL's Augusta Lynx and releasing rookie Julian Talbot from his Professional Tryout Agreement.

Lang, 26, is in his third professional season, all spent in the ECHL with the exception of a one-game call-up to Portland last year. This season, the former Lynx captain ranks seventh in the ECHL in scoring with 65 points (23g, 42a) in 52 games, along with 78 penalty minutes. An American Conference All-Star this year, Lang began his pro career with the Charlotte Checkers in 2004-05 following a four-year collegiate career with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, the same alma mater of Providence defenseman Dwayne Zinger. From Regina, Saskatchewan, the forward has 143 points (54g, 89a) and 189 PIM in 191 career contests.

Providence returns to action with a pair of road contests Friday and Saturday against the Worcester Sharks and Lowell Devils, respectively. Providence's next home game is scheduled for Friday, March 9 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center against the East Division's Philadelphia Phantoms. The game, set for 7:05 p.m., is Jonathan Sigalet Bobblehead Night with free bobbleheads to the first 4,000 fans in attendance. Information on tickets and Providence Bruins season ticket packages for the 2006-07 regular season can be obtained by calling the team's ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging onto the team website at www.providencebruins.com.

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