( Photo Credit: AHL Abbotsford Canucks )

By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter @BlackAndGold277

Last night the American Hockey League Providence Bruins announced that the top minor-pro affiliate of the National Hockey League Boston Bruins made a trade for a bruising veteran. Providence General Manager Evan Gold and assistant to NHL Bruins GM Don Sweeney pulled the trigger on acquiring 6′-2″ 220-pound forward Vincent Arseneau, who previously spent time with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks.

The trade was for future considerations as the 31-year-old minor-pro journeyman looks to continue his professional career with the Providence organization. Arseneau, an undrafted 15-year pro spending time in the ECHL and AHL, has been known for his physical presence throughout his hockey career. In four seasons in the ECHL and 147 appearances, he posted 55-46-101 and 414 penalty minutes. In the AHL, he contributed 34-15-49 numbers in 212 games while serving time in the penalty box for 475 minutes.

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This trade clearly addressed a need at the NHL Bruins minor-pro level. Providence was the best team in the Eastern Conference last year, capturing the Atlantic Division title, but got pushed around all season, particularly in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. Providence had a first-round bye as Atlantic champs and, after close to two weeks of rest, was no match for the heavier Hartford Wolf Pack team, who swept the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening round of the postseason.

Last season the intimidation factor, or lack thereof, was missing for pretty much the entire year. Opposing players were targeting skilled players on the Providence team with questionable hits and a tough time responding when liberties were taken. In the second round of the playoffs, Bruins prospect Fabian Lysell took a high hit, resulting in his dismissal from the postseason with a concussion. This trade for Aresneau addresses a need to be more physical and respond with force when the opposition tries to get under the skin of younger players.

This trade could’ve also been orchestrated by second-year AHL Providence Head Coach Ryan Mougenel, who was Areseneau’s Assistant Coach while playing in the San Jose organization. Mougenel was an assistant for the AHL Worcester Sharks and San Jose Barracuda, where he saw firsthand what type of player Aresneau is and the impact he provides at the minor-pro level.

Mark Divver on Twitter had this to say about the new Providence Bruins forward addition. “Word on Vincent Arseneau is he’s big and strong and hits like a truck. He’s also adding that he’s heavy on the forecheck, tough to handle around the net, and a high-quality person.