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Bruins Bolster Blueline Depth With Andy Wozniewski

On Wednesday, the Boston Bruins signed defenseman Andy Wozniewski to a one-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 6’5”-225-pound Wozniewski has spent most of his five-year professional hockey career going back and forth between the NHL and AHL. Undrafted coming out of the University of Wisconsin, Wozniewski was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004 and split his time between the Leafs and their minor league affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

In 2008, the 29-year-old blueliner signed with the St. Louis Blues and as free agent and spent all but one game dressed for the Peoria Riverman. Last spring, Wozniewski found himself in the Pittsburgh Penguins system as a member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins via a trade before becoming a free agent at the conclusion of the season.

In his 77 NHL games, Wozniewski has scored two goals, notched ten assists, and compiled 81 PIM. His best career season came in 2007-2008 with the Marlies in the minors, earning 17 points (7-10-17) in 33 games.

Analysis

Barring any shake-ups to create salary cap room for Phil Kessel, Wozniewski will most likely spend much of his time with the Providence Bruins. As a result, the cap hit will be less than his actual salary, which probably figures to be around the league minimum. Wozniewski will have a chance to prove himself at the Bruins pre-season camp currently underway in Kitchener, Ontario, but his signing is to simply to add depth at the blue line in Providence in case of injuries or fatigue that may come to Boston.

Tags: Andy Wozniewski, Bruins, Phil Kessel, Providence Bruins