The Bruins have signed a veteran forward to help their front line depth, but its not a name anybody might have been expecting.
The Bruins now have some good size and grittiness depth and will boast all the Slap Shot stories they can entertain during training camp as theyve signed former University of Notre Dame forward Christian Hanson. Hanson was inked to a one-year, two-way deal and is also famously known as the son of Dave Hanson, one of the famous bespectacled Hanson Brothers from the cult hockey film Slap Shot".
Hanson spent last season in the Washington Capitals organization with the Hershey Bears, but had his best season came two years ago with the Toronto Marlies and Maple Leafs as a big bottom-six forward. Hanson had 34 points and 51 penalty minutes for the Marlies while getting into six games for the Leafs.
Hes got ideal size for a third or fourth line role and will be a valued performer in the AHL, but doesnt have top end skating ability and isnt considered a pro hockey fighter despite his lineage with the bloodthirsty Hanson Brothers characters from the movies.
Hanson isnt expected to make the Bruins out of training camp unless injuries hit the hockey club, but the big club wouldnt be afraid to call on him in a pinch.
The 6-foot-4, 228-pound center put up 10 goals and 21 points along with 42 penalty minutes in 52 games for Hershey. In total, Hanson has played in 42 NHL games with three goals, nine points and 22 penalty minutes after a career at Notre Dame that saw him make the Second Team NCAA All-Star team in 2009. The big pivot was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Leafs following his collegiate career.
Hansons contract will be for 600,000 at the NHL level and 105,000 at the AHL level for the Providence Bruins.