Bruins recall defenseman Jeremy Lauzon on emergency basis

With defensemen dropping like flies, the Boston Bruins have recalled defenseman Jeremy Lauzon on an emergency basis ahead of tonight's meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.

In what is the first recall of Lauzon's pro career, the 6-foot-3 defender comes to the Bruins as Providence's top scorer on the backend, with one goal and four points through six games for Jay Leach's AHL squad. Lauzon skated in 52 games with the P-Bruins a season ago, totaling one goal and six assists for seven points with 38 penalty minutes and a plus-one rating.

“Exhibition games, I thought [Lauzon] showed better composure with the puck than I anticipated,” Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said after a morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena. “Your first game, you always get a little worried -- don’t want to make mistakes. He’s played well [in Providence] and it’s his chance, and off he goes.”

Although Lauzon's NHL arrival comes as a result of Urho Vaakanainen's concussion sustained in Tuesday's win over the Senators, and with Kevan Miller (hand) and Charlie McAvoy (upper-body) still unable to compete for Bruins head coach Cassidy's club, the Quebec-born defender was beaming when asked about his NHL debut.

"That was my dream… playing in the NHL and now I’m here," a smiling Lauzon, who felt his preseason was his best showing in the organization yet, said after the morning skate. "I’m just gonna try to play my best and stay here as long as I can."

And while their travels to The Hub required connecting flights and some airport headaches on short notice, Lauzon's family and his girlfriend have arrived in Boston and will indeed be in attendance at TD Garden.

The 21-year-old Lauzon, a second-round draft pick (No. 52 overall) of the Black and Gold back in 2015, spent the beginning of Boston's morning skate on a pairing with Steven Kampfer.