Bjork Gets Off to Fast Start in Providence

BostonBruins.com - Anders Bjork's tantalizing speed enabled him to fly past the AHL and earn a spot on the Bruins Opening Night roster straight out of training camp this fall. Through his first 16 games, the Wisconsin native showed his potential, tallying 3 goals and 6 assists.
But during a Nov. 11 tilt against Toronto, Bjork took a heavy open-ice hit that sidelined him for the following seven games. After returning to the lineup on Dec. 2, the 21-year-old was struggled to find a groove, recording three points in the next 12 contests.

On Jan. 3, Bjork was assigned to Providence. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy noted that the AHL has served many current B's players and prospects in their development.
"We look at the growth of our players here," said Cassidy. "I think it speaks for itself, the growth of Danton [Heinen] and Jake [DeBrusk] down there last year, and I understand that [Jakob] Forsbacka Karlsson and Zach [Senyshyn] are playing well down there right now too."
Heinen and DeBrusk were both beneficiaries of an entire season and extended playoff run in the AHL before they each made the jump to Boston this fall. After three games in the AHL on the P-Bruins top line, Bjork has scored two goals and two assists for four points in those contests.
Providence Bruins head coach Jay Leach commended Bjork's effort outside the offensive aspects of the game.
"I do think that he did show some improvement in certain areas," Leach told the Providence Journal. "Taking care of pucks and also being aware of where he was on the ice and not putting himself in situations that have in the past hurt him."

Donato Still Streaking

After nearly a month-long break between games, the Harvard Crimson were back in action on December 29. And leading scorer Ryan Donato showed no signs of rust after the long layoff.
Donato, who was recently named to the USA Olympic team that will represent the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics, scored six goals in Harvard's four games since the layoff. In just 14 games, the junior has scored 14 goals and notched eight assists for 22 points. Donato leads the NCAA in points per game (1.57), and his 14 goals are only four behind the NCAA leader. Donato is ranked ninth in the nation in goals, despite playing in at least six fewer games than every player ahead of him.

Wait, There's More

• Prior to being held scoreless in his last two games, Jack Studnicka recorded an assist in six straight contests. The 18-year-old had 12 assists in those games, and is tied for 11th in the OHL with 31 assists. Studnicka leads the Generals with 42 points.
• The Bruins reassigned prospect Jesse Gabrielle from Providence to the Regina Pats of the WHL.