Bruins' Frank Vatrano Cleared To Play; Assigned To Providence
BOSTON (CBS) -- Bruins forward Frank Vatrano has been cleared to play, Boston GM Don Sweeney announced on Friday.
Vatrano required surgery after tearing ligaments in his left foot in September while training for the 2016-17 season, but he's now ready to return to the ice. The 22-year-old has been assigned to the Providence Bruins, and is eligible to play Friday night against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The 5-foot-9 forward led the AHL with 36 goals in 36 games last season, recording a trio of hat tricks and six multi-goal games on the year. His scoring prowess earned him First-Team All-Star honors, and a stint with the Boston Bruins as well.
The East Longmeadow native scored eight goals to go with three assists in 39 games for the Boston Bruins during the 2015-16 season, including his first career NHL hat trick in a December road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Vatrano was originally signed by the Bruins as a free agent out of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 2015.
