BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned defenseman Matt Bartkowski to the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League).

The 6’1”, 196-lb Bartkowski has appeared in six games with the Bruins this season, with no points and 4 PIM. He was most recently recalled from Providence on March 4, and this was his third stint with the Bruins this season. He made his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 10.

The 22-year-old native of Pittsburgh, PA has skated in 55 games for the P-Bruins this season with 5-16=21 totals and 38 PIM. He traveled with the Boston Bruins on their preseason trip to Belfast and Prague but did not see any NHL regular season action before being assigned to Providence on October 6. Prior to joining Providence, Bartkowski played for Ohio State University (CCHA) and appeared in 80 games over two seasons with 11-27=38 totals from 2008-2010 for the Buckeyes.

Bartkowski was acquired by the Bruins on March 3, 2009 from the Florida Panthers with Dennis Seidenberg for Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and a 2010 second round pick. He was originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (190th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.