Nolan Schaefer is back in Providence.
The Bruins goalie cleared waivers on Tuesday and has been assigned to the club's AHL affiliate in Providence, which put him back in familiar surroundings.
Prior to turning pro, the Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, native starred at Providence College for four seasons from 1999-2003, posting a 45-39-10 record with 2.99 GAA in 99 games. It was that connection to the region that helped lead Schaefer, who now lives in Connecticut, to sign with the Bruins organization in July.
"I was just really excited about coming here," said Schaefer during camp. "I played at Providence College, so I know the Northeast pretty well and I'm just really excited to be part of an organization that has such a hockey history. I have a lot of friends and people that live around here and it's really close to my home, so just overall I'm really excited."
Since his days as a Friar, Schaefer, 30, has done plenty of traveling. He spent six seasons in the AHL with Cleveland, Worcester, Hershey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Houston, along with brief stops in Fresno (ECHL) and a seven-game stint in the NHL with San Jose. He was 5-1-0 with a 1.88 GAA and a .920 save percentage with the Sharks in 2005-06, but hasn't played in the NHL since.
He spent last season in the KHL with CSKA Moscow, and now will assume the role of Providence's No. 1 netminder while working with youngsters Matt Dalton and Michael Hutchinson. He will also provide valuable insurance if there is an injury to Boston's Tuukka Rask or Tim Thomas, as he did while accompanying the club on its recently concluded European trip to start the season.
"I've been in this position for a long time," said Schaefer. "I know what can happen if guys get hurt. You just have to keep an even keel. That's the biggest part of being a goalie."
In the meantime, Schaefer will help stabilize things in net for Providence, which allowed 10 goals in its first two games as the Bruins opened the season with a split in a home-and-home series against Springfield last weekend. Providence returns to action on Friday, when the Bruins host Springfield again.
