The Boston Bruins have agreed to terms with right wing Brad Boyes on a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli. Boyes was a Group II (restricted) free agent.

“Brad had a terrific season last year and his best hockey is still ahead of him,” said Chiarelli. “His game is well suited to the new rules and we look forward to having him build on his success of last season.”

Boyes, 24, enjoyed an outstanding season last year, leading the Bruins in assists and finishing second overall in the team’s scoring race with 26 goals and 43 assists for 69 points. He finished third overall among league rookies in both assists and points while earning a berth on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. One of two Bruins to play in all 82 games last season, he scored the team’s lone hat trick last season (March 18 vs. Carolina) which was one of his 15 multiple-point games on the year.

“I’m really looking forward to the season and I’m glad we were able to get it done,” Boyes said of the new contract from his hometown of Mississagua, Ontario. “I’m excited and with the additions we can get right back at it and make a run for the playoffs.”

The 6’1”, 195 lb. native of Mississauga, Ontario was Toronto’s first pick, 24th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played four seasons of junior hockey with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League with 141-168=309 totals in 233 career junior games. He was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player in the 2000-01 and twice earned OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player honors. He turned professional in 2002-03 with Toronto’s AHL affiliate in St. John’s before he was traded to San Jose with Alyn McCauley and Toronto’s 2003 first round draft pick (later traded to Boston with which the Bruins selected Mark Stuart) for Owen Nolan on March 5, 2003. He played the remainder of that season and the 2003-04 campaign with San Jose’s AHL affiliate in Cleveland while playing one NHL game with the Sharks, before his March 9, 2004 trade to Boston for Jeff Jillson.

After playing the 2004-05 lockout season with Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence, he played his first full NHL season last year in Boston.