Kings Sign Andrew Bodnarchuk to One-Year Deal

[Thrillhouse]

LOS ANGELES – The 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk to a one-year contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Bodnarchuk, 23 (turns 24 on July 11), tied a career high with five goals and set a new career high with 17 points (5-12=17) in 63 regular season games with the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins while serving as an alternate captain this past season. His five goals tied for the team lead amongst P-Bruins defensemen in 2011-12. He also finished the season with 44 penalty minutes.

The 2010-11 season was also a productive one for Bodnarchuk as he set new AHL career highs for games played (75) and penalty minutes (91) while finishing third amongst P-Bruins defensemen in points (16) and second in assists (15).

The 5-11, 190-pound Bodnarchuk made his NHL debut and skated in five regular season games with the Boston Bruins during the 2009-10 season. He totaled zero points and two penalty minutes in the five games.

The native of Drumheller, Alberta, was named the P-Bruins “Best Defenseman” at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season after recording 15 points (5-10=15) and 51 penalty minutes in 70 regular season games for the Baby Bruins.

Bodnarchuk was selected by Boston in the fifth-round (128th overall) in the 2006 NHL Draft, and he has 58 points (12-46=58) and 219 penalty minutes in 270 career AHL regular season games. Additionally, he has two points (0-2=2) and 22 penalty minutes in 15 career AHL playoff games.