The AHL is well known for its continually changing landscape, with teams switching cities, franchise affiliations and names regularly. Not so with the Providence Bruins, who have been affiliated with the Boston Bruins since they became a team in 1992. That agreement is not going to end at 27 years, as the two organizations finalized a 10-year extension today taking them through the 2028-29 season. Boston president Cam Neely explained the decision:
Player development is one of the most important parts of our hockey operations strategy which has the goal of achieving long term and sustainable success. Our partnership with the Providence Bruins has been a key part of our player development over the past three decades and we are very happy to have a long-term deal solidifying this relationship for 10 more years.
The Providence-Boston affiliation has long been the gold standard for any organization, as they represent everything you want in a development agreement. Their geographical proximity has been copied by most of the league, and their commitment to development and AHL success is a testament to the work both parties have put in. The P-Bruins have won just a single Calder Cup since coming into the league, but have missed the playoffs just five times in 27 years. They’re set to head there again, even while providing countless players for Boston to use while dealing with NHL injuries.
The number of players that have played at least one game for both Bruins organizations is more than 200, and includes names like David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron. Providence will continue to try and churn out NHL-caliber talent while vying for the Calder Cup every single year.
Perfect fit, couldn’t see them ever ending this affiliation and they shouldn’t.