Bruins Head Coach Surprises Wilmington Hockey Players

Claude Julien visited the locker room of the Squirts 1 team during their practice on Sunday.

There are plenty of great coaches throughout Wilmington Youth Hockey. But one of those teams didn’t mind giving up the locker room spotlight to a familiar face on Sunday. After the Boston Bruins donated their Ristuccia Arena ice time to the local team on Sunday, the players were pleasantly surprised to see Stanley Cup winning coach Claude Julien walk through the door to see them. Julien spoke to the players about the importance of loving the game that they play. He also took the young skaters on a tour of the Bruins locker room and training area that is normally closed to the public. “You only know him as you see him during interviews on television, but he was really a nice guy,” said Squirts 1 head coach Mike Fiorenza. “He chatted with …

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Did NHL Lockout Impact How You View the Bruins?

The Bruins are returning to Wilmington. But will you go see them after they were involved in a bitter labor dispute along with the rest of the league?

The NHL lockout is over. But will you be heading out to see the local team any time soon? Players, owners and fans reacted with excitement on Sunday as it was announced that the National Hockey League and its players association agreed to the framework of a deal that will end the standoff that lasted more than 100 days. Now the team is set to return to Ristuccia Arena, its officially practice facility, possibly within the next several weeks and the black and gold may be back on the ice of TD Garden by January 19. But has the lockout impacted your desire to go see the team play? Historically, labor disputes have had some impact on attendance on games and practices, at least temporarily. So we want to know. Did the NHL lockout make you less …

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Bruins Set for Wilmington Return With Lockout Agreement in Place

After a lockout that lasted more than 100 days, the National Hockey League and its players association have reached an agreement and will return to work almost immediately.

For hockey fans, it's been a seemingly never ending nightmare. But according to reports, that changed on Sunday. The National Hockey League is heading back to work, and the Boston Bruins will likely soon be heading back to Wilmington. According to multiple reports, the NHL and NHL Players Association worked through a lengthy negotiation on Saturday night into Sunday morning to get a deal done on a new collective bargaining agreement. As a result, a shortened season is likely to begin on January 19.  “I’m just happy this madness is over so I can get back to work,” Bruins forward and enforcer Shawn Thornton told Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sportsnet New England. Haggerty also reported that the once the deal is ratified by the NHL Board of …

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NHL Impasse Set to Keep Bruins Out of Ristuccia

With a lockout on the horizon for the National Hockey League, the Bruins will soon be unable to practice in Wilmington until a deal is reached.

Members of the Boston Bruins have been in Wilmington for informal skates in recent days. It may, however, be the last time they're in town for the near future. The team took to the ice at Ristuccia Arena as recently as Friday, but as of midnight on Saturday the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement expires. A work stoppage is likely to occur if a new deal is not reached prior to that deadline.  According to Joe Haggerty of Comcast SportsNet New England, the team is slated to take the weekend off from practicing before finding a new sheet of ice next week. The reason the team must find a new venue is that they are locked out and barred from the ice and locker rooms at Ristuccia until the lockout ends, according to Haggerty. “We all want to …

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Bruins Close Up Camp at Wilmington's Ristuccia [VIDEO]

The team's future in town is up in the air, but on Monday the Bruins finished up their annual Development Camp at their official practice facility.

They may or may not remain in town in the long-term, but for the last several days the Boston Bruins were in Wilmington for their annual Development Camp. The Bruins are in the final year of their lease at Ristuccia Arena, and General Manager Peter Chiarelli said on Monday that he had no update other than that the team remains under contract in town. In the mean time, Chiarelli and several Bruins prospects had rave reviews of the camp, which was heavily attended by fans throughout the days the team was in Wilmington.

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, June 29

Fourth of July kicks off tonight on Wilmington Town Common.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments section. 1. There should be plenty of sunshine as Wilmington kicks off its week of fun. According to Weather.com, temperatures will spike up to 91° on Friday, which is the first day of the town's annual Fourth of July festivities. Skies will be partly cloudy and there is a 20 percent chance of rain on the day. 2. The Fourth of July is Wednesday... but not in Wilmington! The town kicks off its annual festivities on Friday as Rotary offers dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. for $8, the carnival is open from 6-11:30 p.m., the horseshoe …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, June 28

Weather conditions will be near flawless on Thursday in Wilmington.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments section. 1. You won't get much better conditions than Wilmington will see on Thursday. According to Weather.com, temperatures will settle in at 84° before the day is out. There is a zero percent chance of rain on Thursday and skies will be sunny throughout. 2. Some members of the Boston Bruins will be in town on Thursday. Bruins Development Camp opens at 10:30 a.m. with an on-ice practice that takes place at Ristuccia Arena and is open to the public. Young players will be in town daily until the close of camp on Monday. 3. Don…

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Bruins Announce Return Date to Wilmington Ice

Team releases schedule for its annual development camp at Ristuccia Arena.

It wasn't long ago that the Boston Bruins had their season come to a close with a crushing Game 7 loss to the Washington Capitals. But before long, Wilmington hockey fans will have the chance to take the first step forward in getting ready for next season. The team announced on Thursday the dates for its upcoming Development Camp, which will open with an on-ice practice on Thursday, June 28. The camp, held at Ristuccia Arena, lasts until Monday, July 2. Below is the schedule for this year's camp: Thursday, June 28 Friday, June 29 Saturday, June 30 Sunday, July 1 Monday, July 2 Practices are open to members of the public, though the schedule is subject to change. The Bruins will release a full roster of expected attendees of the Development…

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Bruins Future Plans May Not Include Wilmington

At year end press conference, team's ownership said other practice facility options are being discussed.

Wilmington’s Ristuccia Arena is the practice home of the Boston Bruins. For now. During an end of year press conference on Thursday, members of the Bruins ownership group touched on the subject and admitted they are exploring other venues where the team may skate on off days. According to team president Cam Neely, there is one year left on the Bruins’ lease with Ristuccia Arena, where the team has practiced for decades. “We still have some term on Wilmington,” Neely said, according to a transcript of the press conference on the Bruins website. “There’s one year left. We’re in discussions with them right now.” Charlie Jacobs, the Bruins’ principal and alternate governor, said during the press conference that there is a desire among the …

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Wilmington Wildcats

VIDEO: Stanley Cup Champs Congratulate Wildcats

When asked about Wilmington's state championship run, Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien said, "Everyone was cheering for them."

After Sunday, the Bruins aren't the only champions to skate on the ice of Ristuccia Arena. The defending Stanley Cup winners practice in the local rink, which is also home to the Division 2 state champion Wilmington High School hockey team. Following Monday's practice, players Brad Marchand, Gregory Campbell and Johnny Boychuck took the time to congratulate the Wildcats for their 3-2 win over Franklin on the Bruins' home ice of TD Garden. Head coach Claude Julien talked about one connection between the two teams. RJ Townsend, the Wilmington team manager, helps out the Bruins trainers on occasion, and was the center of a friendly wager. Boston assistant coach Doug Houda's son plays for Lynnfield, one of the teams the Wildcats knocked off in…

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Stacie

9:24 am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Way to go Wilmington!!! Thank you Bruins for your support !   more ›