Providence Profiles: Ryan Spooner

It must be a coincidence that the night we post Ryan Spooner‘s Providence Profile would be the same night that he’s recalled to join the Boston Bruins in Montreal on emergency basis. This will be Spooner’s first NHL call-up and with many of the B’s members on the day-to-day injury list, there is a chance he could play.

Center Ryan Spooner (Credit:Flickr/Steph Vail)

Spooner was selected 45th overall in the 2010 draft right behind Tyler Seguin and Jared Knight. That right there should tell you the potential of this player. He was one of the few Providence players invited to the shortened B’s training camp this January.

This season for the P-Bruins Spooner has posted 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 35 games for a plus-12 rating.

If you’re wondering what kind of player Spooner is check out his prospect video from the draft below:

21-year-old has the offensive skills and speed similar to Seguin and I could definitely see the two playing on a line together.

Before the AHL, Spooner played for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. In two seasons with the team, he scored 49 goals and 63 assists.

It’s unknown if Spooner will get to play on the emergency recall with the Bruins but judging by his stats, I would say he’s ready!

You can follow him here on twitter and send him some good long on his journey with the B’s!

Providence Profiles: Max Sauve

Max Sauve (Credit: Flickr/ Steph Vail)

In his professional debut back for the Providence Bruins in April of the 2009-2010 season, Max Sauve scored his first two pro goals and would be named first star of the game. If that doesn’t tell you the potential of the almost 23-year-old forward then I don’t know what else to say!

Sauve is currently in his 4th season with Providence and shows no sign of slowing down, despite having health issues in past seasons. In 29 games this season, Sauve has posted 4 goals and 9 assists. If Sauve can avoid injury, I have a feeling he will be called up to the NHL level at some point during the shortened season.

Speaking of call ups, Sauve had an opportunity to play for the Boston Bruins back in March of last season against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He saw 3:43 minutes of ice time before suffering a hip injury in the second period.  He was called up again for the B’s for playoff time, but didn’t see any action.

Sauve has spent his career thus far between Providence and Boston after being obtained in 2008 draft 47th overall in the 2nd round by the Bruins.

Unlike other players on the Providence team, the center wasn’t invited to training camp for the Boston Bruins occuring this week but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have potential to at some point crack the B’s lineup.

Sauve is fast, and has strong puck handling skills as you can see in this clip:

With the season opening in Boston coming on Saturday and the season FINALLY starting, it’ll be interesting to see how many Providence players, including Sauve make the call up.

Providence Profiles: Bobby Robins

Bobby Robins (Credit: Flickr/ Steph Vail)

31-year-old Bobby Robins is no stranger to playing hockey as he has played 13 seasons between NCAA, AHL, ECHL, and overseas league. Currently he is in his first full season playing for the Providence Bruins. He was signed by the P-Bruins back in February. In 31 games thus far, Robins has 2 goals, 1 assist, and 165 penalty minutes. Last season he was the penalty minute leader and this season he’s on his way to keeping that title.

Before signing to minor leagues, Robins was a part of the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks for four years, and served as captain his senior year. After graduating, he signed with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL.

And from there, Robins has played right wing for 10 other teams, including Providence.

Robins is gutsy on the ice, and always ready to step up and fight.
This clip makes a sense as to why Robins spends a lot of time in the penalty box:

Robins is a fighter no if, ands, or buts about it.

Besides playing hockey, like myself and my co-writers, Robins is a blogger. You can check out his blog here. His blog is an inspiration for anyone with a dream, as cheesy as that may sound. Robins writes about his journey and his end goal of making it to the NHL and having a goal is something we can all relate too.

Robins also has a twitter, and you can follow that here.

Providence Profiles: Kevan Miller

Kevan Miller (Left) (Credit: Flickr/ Goaliej54)

Another Providence Profile, another opportunity to write about a Hockey East player. This time it’s former University of Vermont player, defenseman Kevan Miller.

Following his senior season at UVM, Miller signed an amateur tryout contract with the P-Bruins. He played 6 games that season, finishing with a +2 rating despite no points and nine penalty minutes.

In October of 2011, Miller was signed to a two-year entry-level by the Bruins and spent his first pro season In Providence. He was the second-leading scorer amongst the P-Bruin defenseman with 3 goals and 21 assists in 65 games and had a team-best +20 with 98 penalty minutes.

So far Miller has played in 21 games this season with one assist and 15 penalty minutes. Needless to say Miller is a smart defenseman and an asset for any organization. I also really enjoy that he’s always willing to drop the gloves if necessary.

Like here:

and here:

So on that note, Happy New Year from all of us at A Cup A Bruin!

Providence Profiles: Craig Cunningham

Cunningham (third from left) at Bruins development camp. (Credit: Flickr/Slidingsideways)

In 4 games this season with the Providence Bruins, this weeks Providence Profile feature has scored 2 goals.Craig Cunninghamis only in his second season with the P-Bruins but so far the 22-year-old has made quite the impact.

The 2010 NHL entry draft is when Cunningham was selected by the Bruins at 97th overall and has been a prospect ever since. Last season with the P-Bruins Cunningham had twenty goals and 16 assists in 76 games. Prior to that he spent his hockey playing time with the Vancouver Giants, even going to the Memorial Cup with them in 2007.

Here’s a video of goal of Cunninghams fromt his this season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-HcIZoQ6eM

I think that Cunningham is just at the start of his career and in the future will definitely be someone to watch as the Bruins look for Providence players to step up to the NHL. Fortunately (or not so fortunate) there is a lock out right now so all eyes are on the AHL stateside meaning players like Cunningham are being recognized.

Though the Providence season started off a bit rocky, Cunningham and co. are really starting to gain momentum and it’ll be interesting to see how this weekends games go!

Providence Profiles: Ryan Button

Ryan Button (Credit:Flickr/Slidingsideways)

This weeks Providence Profile is all about defenseman Ryan Button. 21 year-old Button was selected in the 2009 entry draft by the Boston Bruins in the 3rd round (86th) overall. So Button has been in the Boston system for a few years and will be for at least two more years. His name might not sound familiar but don’t forget as Button has been referenced by Hockey’s Future as the best Bruins defensive prospect not named Dougie Hamilton.

Button made his AHL debut in the 2010-2011 season playing in seven games with the Providence Bruins. In limited ice-time he managed 1 assist and 2 PMS. This past season, Button split time between Providence and the Bruins ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals. Between the two teams, he was in 58 games tallying 1 goal, 7 assists, and 30 PMS. What those stats say to me is that Button is willing to get physical when necessary.

Here’s a highlight reel of Button from the 2011 Boston Bruins development camp:
http://youtu.be/TD6aiClgABg
(He’s number 78!)

When Button was just starting out he played for the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL so take a look at one of his fights during that time (He’s in the white jersey):
http://youtu.be/R2vH73dXg38

This has been another Providence Profile. Check back next week for a profile on Carter Camper!