Bruins reassign top depth forward to AHL

The Boston Bruins have reassigned forward Jesper Boqvist to their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. Boqvist was originally recalled by the team on Dec. 12.

The team also reassigned defenseman Ian Mitchell to Providence, although Mitchell’s transactions have been somewhat different as the defenseman has largely operated as Boston’s spare blueliner and has only actually played in two AHL games this season.

Boqvist, 25, is one of the Bruins’ top depth forwards this season. He’s played in 25 games at the AHL level for the Providence Bruins, scoring 14 points. Boqvist dressed for one NHL game during this call-up, skating 4:47 in Boston’s Friday victory over the New York Islanders.

An experienced NHLer with nearly 200 games played, Boqvist will now return to Providence and resume his important role there. The AHL’s Bruins play at 4 p.m. today and currently sit fourth in the AHL’s Atlantic Division with a 13-9-4 record.

The Bruins had a full 23-man roster before these transactions, Now, with these two reassignments, Boston has cleared two spots on its roster, though the club won’t be banking cap space for future use as both Derek Forbort and Milan Lucic are currently on long-term injured reserve.