Bruins assign four to Providence

The Boston Bruins made more roster moves Thursday, as defenseman Matt Bartkowski and forward Ryan Spooner were assigned to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. Meanwhile, forward Jamie Tardif was placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to Providence, and defenseman Aaron Johnson will join Providence on a conditioning loan.

Bartkowski (6-foot-1, 196 pounds) is in his third season with Providence after being signed by the Bruins to a one-year, two-way contract through the 2012-13 season on July 12, 2012. Before joining the Bruins for training camp, Bartkowski had recorded two goals and seven assists in 30 games for Providence this season.

Spooner is in his first full season with Providence and recently participated in his first Boston Bruins training camp. The Kanata, Ontario native has skated in 26 games with Providence this season, registering seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points, along with six penalty minutes. The 20-year-old is tied for second in plus-minus for the P-Bruins with a plus-five rating and is ranked third in points.

Tardif is in his second season with the Bruins organization. Prior to Boston’s camp, the right wing had skated in 32 games for Providence this season, compiling 16 goals and seven assists for 23 points, along with 27 penalty minutes. Tardif currently leads all P-Bruins skaters in goals and is tied for sixth in the AHL.

Johnson was signed by Boston to a one-year, two-way contract through the 2012-13 season on July 18, 2012. He skated in 56 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2011-12, registering three goals and setting NHL career highs with 13 assists and 16 points, while collecting 26 penalty minutes. For his career, Johnson has played in 281 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders, tallying 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 total points, with 217 penalty minutes.