AHL Providence Bruins

P-Bruins Sign Hamill and Penner

April 2, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced today that Boston Bruins prospects center Zach Hamill and defenseman Jeff Penner have joined the P-Bruins on Amateur Tryout Agreements (ATO) and will be eligible to make their professional debuts this weekend. With the move, the P-Bruins now have 25 players on their roster, including 13 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders.

Hamill, 19, makes his way to Providence after completing his fifth season with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League. Everett's all-time leading-scorer and alternate captain, the forward recorded 262 points, including 87 goals and 175 assists, in 250 games for the Tips, along with another 37 points in 62 playoff games. Hamill's junior career ended Friday as his Everett team fell in four games to the Spokane Chiefs in the teams' Western Conference Quarter-Finals match-up. A native of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Hamill had 75 points this season, including 26 goals. His best year came in 2006-07, putting up career-highs in games (69), goals (32), assists (61), points (93) and penalty minutes (90). That same season, Hamill won the league's Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's leading-scorer and was named a WHL First Team West All-Star, as well as Everett's Most Valuable Player. Boston drafted Hamill with the eighth overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Penner, 20, signed an entry-level contract with Boston on Saturday following the completion of his freshman season with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks. The blue-liner appeared in all 35 of Alaska's games, registering five goals and seven assists for 12 points, along with 49 PIM. Prior to entering college, the Steinbach, Manitoba, native played two season for the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, recording 53 points, including 44 assists, to finish second in scoring among MJHL defensemen in 2006-07. For his efforts, Penner received the MJHL Lorne Lyndon Memorial Trophy for hockey ability and sportsmanship as voted by the league's coaches. Penner was also a member of the MJHL's First All-Star Team, a Sher-Wood Division All-Star and twice the MJHL Defenseman of the Month. The rookie notched 17 goals and 71 assists for 88 points in his two years with Dauphin.

Providence is back in action with three games this weekend, beginning Friday with Tuukka Rask Bobblehead Night as the P-Bruins host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m. The bobbleheads are courtesy of WEEI 103.7 FM, NBC 10, Getty and 2nd Time Around Sports. As always, Providence Bruins Promotional Nights are presented by Dunkin' Donuts and your New England Dodge Dealers. The P-Bruins take on the Lowell Devils at the Tsongas Arena Saturday at 7:05 p.m. for their only road tilt of the week. Providence wraps up the weekend Sunday by hosting the Manchester Monarchs at 4:05 p.m. Sunday is a Family Game, as fans can purchase one ticket, one hot dog and one soda for just $16.

2008 Calder Cup Playoff Packages are on sale now! For ticket information, call the Providence Bruins ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or log on to www.providencebruins.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2008


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