| Hockey Heaven: Articles Peter Ferraro garners spot on Bruins roster Former Bear led Boston offense during preseason (Bangor Daily News) |
| Former University of Maine winger, Peter Ferraro,
signed a one-year contract in July with the team that showed the most interest in him: the
Boston Bruins. Bruins coach Pat Burns gave him the ice time he needed to prove himself in
the preseason. Ferraro has responded by leading the Bruins in scoring and now he will be
centering a line between veterans Steve Heinze and Ted Donato in Saturday's opener against
the St. Louis Blues. "I came in with the intention that I had to make the NHL team here, I was given every opportunity and I made the best of it," said the 25-year-old Ferraro, who is entering his fifth pro season. "Pat Burns is the type of coach who, if you play well and play hard, will reward you with ice time," said Ferraro. "That's the fair way to coach." Ferraro said he was happy with his two-way contract with Boston and Providence of the American Hockey League, and with his linemates. "It's a hardworking line. We have some speed and they have a lot of NHL games {818} under their belts. I'm just hoping to add my part of the game, work hard, get them the puck and chip in a few {goals} here and there," said Ferraro. "I'm very excited {to get started}." Ferraro had three goals and four assists in eight preseason games with the Bruins. Last season, he had 3 & 4 in 29 games for Pittsburgh, was scoreless in one game for the New York Rangers, and had 17 goals and 23 assists in 36 regular-season games for the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford. He added eight goals and six assists in 15 AHL playoff games. In addition to skating a regular shift Ferraro, known for his offensive prowess and feistiness, saw a lot of duty penalty-killing. "Under {head coach} Kevin Constantine and his coaching staff in Pittsburgh, I was able to learn and understand the defensive side of the game," said Ferraro. "More importantly, this summer I was skating with my brother, Chris, and I learned more from him on how to play in my own end. He was in Pittsburgh the whole year. We'd go over some video and he'd point things out that made sense to me." Peter's twin brother Chris, who played with him at Maine, signed with Edmonton in August and will play for Hamilton in the AHL. "He's disappointed that he didn't get more of an opportunity to play but he'll establish himself in no time and get back there ," said Peter. Other former Bears opening on NHL rosters: Keith Carney (Phoenix), Brett Clark (Montreal), Bob Corkum (Phoenix), Mike Dunham (Nashville), Paul Kariya (Anaheim), Scott Pellerin (St. Louis), Garth Snow (Vancouver) and Eric Weinrich (Chicago) (Copyright 1998) |