Boston Bruins Assign 23-year-old Forward Karson Kuhlman To AHL Providence Bruins

On Wednesday, March 27th, the Boston Bruins announced that forward Karson Kuhlman has been assigned to AHL Providence after being ruled a healthy scratch ahead of the NHL team’s game with the New York Rangers. 

Kuhlman,  23-years-old, is in his first professional season and signed a two-year contract with the team on April 10, 2018. 

The former Minnesota-Duluth Captain made his NHL debut against the Los Angeles Kings on February 16th and scored his first NHL goal against the Sharks on February 18th. 

Through seven games with Boston Kuhlman has two goals and seven assists. During his time with the P-Bruins he has played in 58 games with 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points with a plus-23 rating. 

Providence Bruins Contract Extended For 10 More Years With Boston, Ownership Excited To Remain In Rhode Island

On Wednesday the Providence Bruins announced that they had come to terms on an agreement with the Boston Bruins to remain their AHL affiliate for the next 10 seasons. 

The P-Bruins have been the American Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins since 1992 with a 27-year-long partnership getting extended through the 2028-29 season. 

“Player development is one of the most important parts of our hockey operations strategy which has the goal of achieving long term and sustainable success,” said Bruins President Cam Neely. “Our partnership with the Providence Bruins has been a key part of our player development over the past three decades and we are very happy to have a long-term deal solidifying this relationship for 10 more years.”

The P-Bruins have played at the Dunkin Donuts Center since their inception in 1992 and are looking forward to continuing to play their for another 10 seasons 

“We are excited to be partnering with the Boston Bruins and RI Convention Center Authority for another 10 seasons of Providence Bruins hockey in Rhode Island,” said Providence Bruins team owner H. Larue Renfroe. “I want to thank the Boston Bruins, the RICCA and the American Hockey League, as well as our devoted fans and corporate partners.”

With this commitment it appears the P-Bruins will continue to play their home games at the Dunk for at-least the next 10 seasons 

The old Civic Center was built in 1971 and has undergone many facelifts over the years to keep it not only in shape but in the modern era.

The venues owners, RI Convention Center Authority, plan on spending an average of $1,855,000 in improvements to the venue according to their six year capital plan which calls for a variety of improvements to the amenities of the venue. 

“The Providence Bruins are a top franchise in the AHL. Community engagement, attendance success, competitive excellence, and player development for the NHL are the pillars on which AHL success is measured,” said David Andrews, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hockey League. “Congratulations to the Providence Bruins and the Boston Bruins on extending their long-standing partnership.”

Currently the P-Bruins are 34-22-8 on the 2018-19 seasons in third place in the Atlantic Division with 79 points trailing the division leading Charlotte Checkers by 17 points. 

Per the Boston Bruins, the team has signed Trent Frederic to an entry-level deal.

The University of Wisconsin forward deal is for three years starting 2018-19 and will be joining the AHL Providence Bruins on an Amateur Tryout Agreement for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

Boston drafted the forward back in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft with their 29th overall pick.

Frederic served as alternate captain for Wisconsin in 2017-18, leading the team with 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points in 36 appearances. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound center was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2016-17 after pacing the Badgers with 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 30 games. He was the first Wisconsin player to earn the honor since Dany Heatley in 1999-2000. He ranked fourth among all college freshmen in points per game (1.18) and was second in the nation in short-handed points (5).

Frederic has also represented his country in international play on several occasions. The 20-year-old forward earned a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Championship, where he tallied five goals (2^nd on team, T-5^th overall) in seven games. He also played seven games with Team USA at the 2016 Under-18 World Junior Championship, posting four goals and three assists for seven points.

Prior to attending Wisconsin, Frederic spent two seasons (2014-16) with the United States National Team Development Program, recording seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 58 United States Hockey League (USHL) appearances.

With Frederic signed all eyes now turn to Ryan Donato who has yet to sign an entry-level deal with the Bruins.