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Andrew Bodnarchuk Bolts Bruins to Join Kings System on One-Year Deal

Andrew Bodnarchuk has found a new home.

The defenseman, who spent the bulk of the past four seasons with the Bruins' American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, signed a one-year deal with the Stanley Cup champion Kings on Friday.

Bodnarchuk, a fifth-round pick of the Bruins in 2006, did play five games in Boston in 2009-10 and was recalled in February of this past season but did not dress for any games in Boston. In Providence, he served as an alternate captain and put up career-high 5-12-17 totals in 63 games.

Bodnarchuk, who turns 24 on July 11, grew up with Bruins forward Brad Marchand in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, and played with Marchand in Halifax (QMJHL) and Providence.

With the Kings' depth on defense, Bodnarchuk will likely remain in New England this season, playing for Los Angeles' AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H.

The Bruins did not offer Bodnarchuk a qualifying offer after this past season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

"With Andrew, it was about giving him opportunities," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said of the decision not to qualify Bodnarchuk. "He's been with us for awhile and we chose not to qualify him and we wanted to be able to give him an opportunity to go elsewhere. He would've been a depth player for us.

"I am satisfied as to where our younger D are and how they're developing," Chiarelli added.

The Providence blue line will be stocked with Matt Bartkowski, Colby Cohen, David Warsofsky, Kevin Miller and Ryan Button returning and Tommy Cross, Zach Trotman and Torey Krug entering their first full pro seasons.

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