Shorthanded Bruins recall veteran bruiser from Providence

Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk’s loss will be Chris Wagner’s gain, as the Bruins have officially recalled the veteran thumper from Providence ahead of the team’s three-game California road trip.

It’s the first recall of the 2022-23 for the 31-year-old Wagner, who was one of the final cuts from Boston’s training camp and has since spent the entire season to date with the P-Bruins.

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In Providence, Wagner has remained true to his identity and been a veteran presence for a younger Providence squad, and has compiled nine goals and 11 points in 27 games played.

Wagner’s recall comes after points in two straight games, and with Wagner on the board with the game-winning goal in his last outing with Providence, a 4-3 win over Hershey on Dec. 31.

Overall, the Walpole, Mass. native has recoded 24 goals and 38 points in 89 games in the AHL since 2021.

Last on NHL ice during the 2022 preseason, Wagner drew two penalties and racked up a team-leading 21 hits in over 49 minutes of time on ice over a three-game tune-up sample for Jim Montgomery’s squad.

Montgomery made it known throughout that run that he appreciated what Wagner brought to the table, particularly in the physicality department, as Wagner often set the tone or countered a big hit thrown on the B’s.

Another aspect of Wagner’s game that Montgomery seemed to appreciate was Wagner’s ability to sit as an extra skater and bring the energy and effort when called upon out of the press box and into the lineup.

That may be why he got the call this time around, too, with cap space opened up with DeBrusk’s move to the long-term injured reserve and with the Bruins in need of an extra jump at some point on this trip.

With the Bruins since 2018, Wagner has totaled 20 goals and and 34 points, along with 525 hits and 272 shots on goal, in 185 games with the Black and Gold.

A hilarious stat for you: Wagner’s 525 hits since 2018 rank first among all Boston skaters over that timeframe, even with Wagner spending the last season and a half in the minors.