Marco Sturm Explains Why Bruins Claimed Vladislav Kolyachonok

The Boston Bruins added some more depth to their defensive unit on Tuesday.

Boston claimed 24-year-old defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers from the Dallas Stars. Kolyachonok had his first practice with the Bruins on Wednesday, and head coach Marco Sturm said the team added him as more depth.

“That’s why we kind of picked him up,” Sturm said on Wednesday. “We needed some extra help, we are running really thin right now, and didn’t want to get in trouble, getting one injury away.

“We felt like he will be a good addition to our D-group. (General manager Don Sweeney) and his staff were scouting him for the last little bit. Seems like a good kid.”

Kolyachonok has one goal and two assists in 11 games with the Stars. The left-shot defenseman will add depth to Boston’s blue line, but Sturm isn’t sure when he will make his Bruins’ debut.

“He has a little bit of everything, I feel like he has a little bit of offense, he can defend,” Sturm said. “I think he played some PK as well. We look at him as a depth guy, and hopefully he is going to get a chance, too, I don’t know when.”

Kolyachonok, meanwhile, is just excited to be with Boston and will play whatever role is asked of him.

“Whatever they tell me to do, I am going to do it,” Kolyachonok said.

The Bruins will return to the ice on Thursday at home against the Edmonton Oilers.