Newz Forum: HOCKEY: Bruins sign defenseman Jonathan Girard

Boston, MA (AP) - The Boston Bruins signed Jonathan Girard to a one-year contract Wednesday, just hours before he would have become a restricted free agent. The Bruins also announced that the team has tendered qualifying offers to Hal Gill, Sergei Gonchar, Andy Hilbert, Ivan Huml, Zdenek Kutlak, Andrew Raycroft, Sergei Samsonov and Joe Thornton.

Girard, 24, will return to the Bruins after missing the entire 2003-04 campaign while rehabilitating from injuries suffered in a July 24, 2003 car accident. The 5'11", 200 lb. native of Rawdon, Quebec was Boston's first pick, 48th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and has played four full seasons in the Bruins organization. His first full NHL season was in 2002-03, when he recorded career-highs in all statistical categories with six goals and 16 assists for 22 points and 21 penalty minutes in 73 NHL games.

In 150 NHL games, Girard has 10 goals and 34 assists.

By tendering offers to the eight players, the Bruins have the right to match any offer made by another team or receive draft pick compensation should the team decide not to match an offer.