BOSTON - The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Hal Gill, it was announced today by Bruins General Manager Mike O'Connell. Gill, a restricted free agent, signed his one-year qualifying offer and, in keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

"We're pleased that Hal signed his contract," said O'Connell. "Hal is one of our steadiest and most reliable players. He plays a lot of minutes and has been one of our highest ‘plus' players as well over the past couple of NHL seasons."

Gill, 30, has been one of the team's most durable players in his six full seasons with the Bruins, missing just 14 games to injuries over that span. He played in every game in 2003-04 and was second among club defensemen in plus/minus at +16 after leading the team in that category the previous season at +21. He scored two goals and added seven assists for nine points with 99 penalty minutes in 2003-04 while averaging 18:24 of ice time.

The 6'7", 250 lb. native of Concord, Massachusetts was Boston's eighth pick, 207th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He turned pro with the Bruins in 1997 following a four-year career at Providence College where he had 12-33=45 totals and 124 PIM in 131 career college games. He has played in 546 career NHL games, all with the Bruins, with 19 goals and 68 assists for 87 points and 464 penalty minutes in addition to a +45 career plus/minus.

Gill played 31 games for Lukko Rauma in Finland during 2004-05 with 2-8=10 totals and 110 penalty minutes in those contests.