Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned defenseman Matt Hunwick and forward Vladimir Sobotka to the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League). Both are expected to play in Providence's game tonight against the Manchester Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. ET, while Hunwick is expected to be recalled and rejoin the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.

Hunwick saw action in 38 games this year for Boston and has recorded 3-12-15 totals and a +9 plus/minus rating. He was a healthy scratch in the Bruins' last six games. Hunwick appeared in two games for the P-Bruins this season, registering two assists.

Spending the majority of the 2007-2008 season in Providence, Hunwick posted 2-21-23 totals in 55 games. He was recalled to Boston on four separate occasions last year and tallied one assist in 13 games. The University of Michigan graduate was drafted by the Bruins in the seventh round (224th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Sobotka has played in 23 games for Boston during the 2008-2009 season and recorded 1-3=4 totals. In 25 games with the P-Bruins this year, Sobotka tallied 12 goals and 15 assists. He split the 2007-2008 season between Boston and Providence. With Boston, he saw action in 48 regular season games and contributed one goal and six assists and added two goals in six postseason games. With Providence last year, he had 10-10=20 totals in 18 regular season games and added four assists over six postseason games.

Sobotka was originally drafted by the Bruins in the 4th round (106th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Don't understand the Hunwick move. But it will be nice to have him for a game. I'm glad to see Karsums stay up, he deserves a legitimate chance to prove that he can play up there.

I'm also shocked about Matt Hunwick being sent down. I thought that he made Boston for good. Then again, they have been losing, so they may be up to something.. who knows. I also (as did Rob Murray in his pre-game interviews) expected Marty Karsums back since he was the healthy scratch. I do welcome Vladimir (and Matt) any time.

I'm listening to our pre-game and Matt Hunwick was just sent down for tonight's game to get some game action.