The Boston Bruins made a salary cap-clearing move late Monday afternoon, sending defenseman Matt Hunwick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for former Boston University defenseman Colby Cohen.
In a Monday evening press availability, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli mentioned that the move cleared the necessary cap space to activate concussed forward Marc Savard this month.
Hunwick had played 164 games with the Bruins, contributing 13 goals and 32 assists during his four years with the organization. This season, he had played in 22 games and had 1 goal, 2 assists and a +/- of 4. The University of Michigan product had been drafted by the Bruins in 2007. The Avalanche have been hit by a rash of blue line injuries, making it advantageous for the team to pick up a defenseman with NHL experience like Hunwick.
Cohen, who may become the first BU player to skate for the NHL Bruins since Dan Lacouture in 2005-06, played in three games for the Avalanche this season. He is most well known for scoring the overtime goal in the 2009 NCAA National Championship game. Cohen will report to the Bruins' AHL affiliate in Providence.