Nhl 9/9/02

[the mugs]

The Boston Bruins have signed goaltender Peter Hamerlik to a three-year contract, it was announced today by Bruins General Manager Mike O'Connell. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

Hamerlik, 20, was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins as their third round pick, 84th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Hamerlik did not sign with the Penguins and re-entered the draft this past year where he was taken by Boston as the team's fourth pick in the fifth round (153rd overall). A native of Myjava, Slovakia, Hamerlik spent the 1997-98 through 1999-2000 seasons with the Skalica club in the Slovakian junior and elite leagues before coming to the Ontario Hockey League
where he spent the past two seasons with the Kingston Frontenacs. Hamerlik led the OHL with four shutouts in 2000-01, and this past season recorded a 12-21-6 record with a 3.64 goals against average and .900 save percentage in 43 games. The 6'1", 205 lb. goaltender complied a career mark of 33-42-14 with a 3.30 goals against average in 99 OHL games.

 

[the mugs]

Down on the farm...

Down on the farm...

Hilbert not up for downtime

He'll take shot at Bruins job

WILMINGTON - Andy Hilbert knows all about the Providence-to-Boston shuttle. The Bruins forward made the trek four times last season, seeing action in six games for the big club and spending the bulk of his time (72 games) with the Baby Bruins.

And while he enjoyed a great deal of success for Boston's AHL entry - a team-high 53 points, including 26 goals - the 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pound forward didn't want to make Providence a permanent home.

''I didn't want to be happy playing in Providence,'' said Hilbert. ''It was a good year and I made the most of it. I expected a lot out of myself and I expected to be the best player I could be. My No. 1 goal is to be playing for the Boston Bruins and not the Providence Bruins.''

He thinks the experience will help him stick around the NHL for more than just a few games here or there.

''I've matured and I know I'm smarter ... I know what I need to do to make the team,'' said Hilbert, who played for Team USA at the World Championships in Sweden after Providence's season ended and began his off-ice conditioning for this season in May. ''I'm not a first-year player now. I have a year under my belt. I know what to expect, so I'm a lot wiser.''

Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek is also hoping Hilbert can make an impact this year.

''He's a year older, he has more experience, and he has a lot more confidence,'' said Ftorek as he watched yesterday's workout at Ristuccia Arena.

Hilbert, a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award at Michigan in 2001, said the biggest adjustment he had to make last season was the length of schedule.

''It took me a little while to get adjusted in the first month or so, but once I got adjusted, it's an eye-opening experience, but I thought I adjusted well,'' said Hilbert, who put up 97 points - including 43 goals - during two seasons in Ann Arbor. ''It's a different game at the professional level than it is at the college level, 80 games compared to 40.''

He knows he's improved, now he just has to prove it to Ftorek and his staff.

''I'm a lot better,'' said Hilbert, Boston's third pick in the 2000 draft. ''I know what to expect. I know what I have to do ... I know what I have to bring to the table to make this team.''

TRAINING CAMP NEWS

Harvard senior center Brett Nowak is among the 30 rookies at camp. Nowak, who'll be signing up for classes Thursday, was the Crimson's top scorer last season with 31 points (14 goals) in 33 games. He was the Bruins' seventh pick (103rd overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. ''It's a bonus for us in that we get to see him compete against his peers and not in the college game, but in the pro game,'' Ftorek said ...

The veterans will have physicals Thursday morning before taking the ice in the afternoon ...

Equipment manager Peter Henderson had his appendix removed yesterday at Mass. General ...

Players should enjoy the recent renovations in Wilmington, including more weights, more lockers, and a sauna. ''[Owner Jeremy] Jacobs saw the need for it and [general manager] Mike [O'Connell] pushed for it, and it's been real nice,'' Ftorek said. ''The guys come to the rink and they work hard and they have a place to hang out a little bit and enjoy the rest of their workouts.''