AHL Providence Bruins

Lashoff & Rask return to P-Bruins

Published on November 12, 2007 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 defenseman Matt Lashoff and goaltender Tuukka Rask to Providence. The P-Bruins now have 22 players on their roster, including 13 forwards, six defensemen and three goaltenders.

Lashoff, 21, is in his third professional season and second full year, all in the Bruins' organization. The defenseman made his National Hockey League season debut Saturday night after his call up the day before, playing 9:26 minutes in Boston's 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres at the TD Banknorth Garden. Lashoff saw 12 games of NHL action last year, making his debut on October 26, 2006 against the Montreal Canadiens, while adding his first two NHL points, both assists, along the way. This season, the East Greenbush, New York, native has a goal and two assists for Providence in nine games played after posting 38 points a year ago in 76 contests split between the NHL and AHL. Lashoff's 2006-07 campaign was filled with several accolades, being named an AHL All-Rookie Team member, a starter in the 2007 Rbk AHL All-Star Classic and the P-Bruins' Dunkin' Donuts Best Defenseman Award winner. Prior to being drafted by Boston 22nd overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Lashoff spent three years in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers.

Rask, 20, is off to a 6-1 start in his first professional season, ranking him tied for third in the AHL in wins and fourth with a 2.00 goals-against-average. Presently, he has won three straight contests between the pipes at the AHL level. The NHL call-up was the first for the native of Savonlinna, Finland, and he backed up Tim Thomas for three contests while not seeing any action in his six days with the big club. The backstop has yet to make his NHL debut. Prior to turning pro, Rask enjoyed three seasons in the Finnish Elite League with Ilves Tampere, where he went 30-27-18 with a 2.36 GAA and .924 save percentage in 83 games. While playing for Team Finland in the 2006 World Junior Championships last year, the goalie posted a 2.11 GAA and a .940 save percent en route to winning Top Goalie honors. Boston acquired Rask from the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 24, 2006 in exchange for fellow netminder Andrew Raycroft. He was drafted by Toronto 21st overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

The Atlantic Division-leading Providence Bruins open the home portion of their season at the newly renovated Dunkin' Donuts Center on Wednesday against the Portland Pirates at 7:05 p.m. The game will be the third in a row between the 8-1-1-0 P-Bruins and the 7-5-1-0 Pirates. Information on P-Bruins season ticket packages and individual tickets for the 2007-08 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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American Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2007


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