Bruins sign Craig Cunningham & Zach McKelvie

Press Release

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed defenseman Adam McQuaid to a three-year contract extension through the 2014-15 season. The team also signed forward Craig Cunningham to an entry level contract and defenseman Zach McKelvie to a one-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms of these deals will not be disclosed.

The 24-year-old McQuaid appeared in 67 games in his first full season with Boston. He scored three goals and tallied 12 assists for 15 points. The rookie compiled 96 penalty minutes, and ended the regular season with a plus/minus rating of +30, which ranked 1st among rookies and fifth overall in the NHL.

He appeared in 23 postseason contests this year, tallying four points from four assists, while serving 14 penalty minutes. For his NHL career, McQuaid skated in 86 regular season games, with 4-12=16 totals and 117 penalty minutes.

The 6’5”, 207-pound native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was originally selected by Columbus in the second round (55th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. On May 16, 2007, McQuaid was traded to Boston for a fifth round draft pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Prior to joining Boston’s roster, McQuaid spent two-plus seasons with the Providence Bruins. The defenseman played 204 career games in Providence, earning 8-29=37 totals.

Cunningham, a 5’9” 191 Ib. forward, split his 2010-2011 season between the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) and the Vancouver Giants (WHL), posting 27-60=87 totals in 71 games played between the teams. He also played in 21 playoff games for the Winterhawks this season earning 7-14=21 totals. Cunningham spent the four previous seasons with the Vancouver Giants, gaining career highs in goals (37) and points (97) in his 2009-2010 season.

The Trail, BC native was originally drafted by the Bruins in the fourth round (97th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The club has also signed McKelvie who played four seasons with the Army Black Knights (AHA) from 2005-2008, notching 14-46=56 totals during that time. The 6’2”, 200 Ib defenseman originally signed with the Bruins in 2009, however contractual obligations with the US Army prevented him from moving forward with his hockey career at that time. The New Brighton, Minnesota native won the 2009 fastest skater competition at the Frozen Four.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)