Bruins Sign Tommy Cross To Entry-Level Contract

[chilly666]

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed Boston College defenseman Tommy Cross to an entry-level contract. Cross will report to the Providence Bruins and is expected to make his AHL debut on Friday, April 13 when the P-Bruins host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:05 p.m.

Cross captained Boston College to the 2012 NCAA National Championship this season and set career highs in games played (44), assists (19) points (24) and penalty minutes (66) during the regular season. 2011-12 marked Cross’ fourth as a member of the Eagles and the National Title was his second, having also been a member of the 2010 championship squad. In his career at BC, Cross skated in 134 regular season games with 17-33=50 totals.

The 6’3’’, 215 pound native of Simsbury, CT was originally drafted by the Bruins in the second round (35th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old has participated in all five of the Bruins Summer Development Camps, dating back to 2007.

[blackngold]

Seems like this guy has been in college for the past 10 years. Awesome to have him finally aboard.

[Broons66]

Yea,he's been a B's prospect for quite a while now. I know he's had a couple of knee surgeries,so im not sure how he figures into the B's future plans. Especially with phenom Dougie Hamilton most likely making the team next season,taking Corvo's place. We will see i guess.

[MattBurger]

Cross will be one of those depth defensemen the Bruins always seem to keep around for a year or two before trading him away at a future trade deadline (like Steven Kampfer and Matt Hunwick). He has no real future with the Bruins.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

Cross will be one of those depth defensemen the Bruins always seem to keep around for a year or two before trading him away at a future trade deadline (like Steven Kampfer and Matt Hunwick). He has no real future with the Bruins.

What separates Cross from both defensemen you mentioned are two things: size and leadership. Those are two traits that the Bruins absolutely LOVE. Kampfer and Hunwick were softer than a wet tissue and they certainly did not possess many leadership qualities.
The knee operations are history (hopefully). Not only did he play a full season this season, he captained BC to the national title.
Therefore, I do believe he has a future with the Bruins. It probably won't be next year, but there's nothing wrong with keeping him in Providence until he is needed.

That time may come sooner than expected too as injuries do happen. Right now our defense for next season probably looks like Z, Seidenberg, Ference, Boychuk, McQuaid, and Dougie Hamilton. I expect Zanon to be re-signed and he'd be the 7th guy. A lot of those guys are in their 30's already; they're certainly not getting any younger.
If Cross doesn't see any spot-duty next season, I fully expect him to be ready by the following year.

EDIT: Forgot about Torey Krug. Although he played well in his 2 starts the other week, I doubt he makes the team out of camp next year. A season in Providence playing big minutes against bigger, more mature, professional players will do him well, in my opinion. I think he'll spend the bulk of next season in the AHL, but he'll be, along with Cross, the first guys to get called up if injuries strike.