Boston Bruins agree to long term affiliation with Providence Bruins.

Jun 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins head coach

(right) , general manager Peter Chiarelli (middle) and president

are interviewed during media day in preparation for game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins organization announced today that they will be continuing one of the longest standing affiliation agreements with an AHL team. The Boston Bruins have decided to remain affiliated with the Providence Bruins for the foreseeable future. The Bruins squads have been affiliated since 1992. The Boston Bruins have been fortunate to have their AHL squad just a quick drive up on Route 95, and that proximity has made it possible for players to be playing at the Dunkin Donuts Center one night, and then play at the TD Garden the next night with minimal discomfort to the players or the team’s logistics .

“On behalf of the Bruins organization we are happy to have our relationship with the Providence Bruins extended. Having our AHL affiliate so close is a great asset to not only our hockey team, but to our fans, as they can watch our prospects develop.” – Boston Bruins President Cam Neely

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The Bruins also announced that Bruins assistant general manager Don Sweeney will be taking over as the Providence Bruins general manager. (The post was held by Peter Chiarelli.)

“During the past eight years, I have been very fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to work closely with some outstanding people in Providence,” said Sweeney. His earned his Boston roots by graduating from Harvard, and being drafted by the Black and Gold in 1984. Sweeney has a sixteen season NHL career before moving to the Bruins front office in 2006.  He’s one of the few NHL players who have played over a thousand games in a Bruins sweater. “I can fully attest to their total commitment to developing young men as both aspiring NHL Players and quality people.”

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“Our partnership with Providence is about providing an opportunity for Players to develop in a competitive and winning environment.” – Providence Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney

Finally, the Bruins announced that they hired Jay Pandolfo. The two time Stanley Cup winner (with the New Jersey Devils in 2000, 2003) finished up his NHL career playing in Boston during the 2012-13 season. Pandolfo has plenty of local credibility himself. He played four seasons at Boston University (winning the NCAA title in 1995), and is native of Burlington, Massachusetts. Pandolfo was brought on board as a development coach, and his fifteen years in the NHL certainly gives him the experience for that job.

“I am very excited to start the next chapter in my career and rejoin the Boston Bruins organization as the team’s Development Coach,” offered Pandolfo.  “Working with the younger players in the system and helping them improve as professionals is an opportunity I am grateful for and a challenge that I look forward to.”