Yelle

Entering this season, center Stephane Yelle had played 12 NHL seasons and missed the postseason just once.

So when he signed with the Boston Bruins as an unrestricted free agent just before the opening of training camp, he was taking a real chance that his record of success would take a hit. After all, the Bruins had barely qualified for the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs and then were bounced in the first round. With the club returning mostly the same exact personnel for 2008-09, there was no telling how this season would go.

As it turned out, Yelle made the right choice.

“It makes it fun. I’ve been lucky, I’ve been part of really good teams. This year compares to some of the best years I’ve had, as far as the team’s concerned,” said Yelle Saturday in the aftermath of the Bruins clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers. “It was a fresh start for me, coming on a young team, a different city, a good city. It’s been great for the fans and to see the excitement in the city, it’s great.”

In addition to all those postseason qualifiers, Yelle has been part of two Stanley Cup-winning clubs. Yelle found out upon his arrival in the Hub how much potential there was for him to make another run for the most coveted trophy in hockey while wearing black and gold.

“It started early. Even in training camp I could feel the excitement. I think it continued from last year’s playoff run and then we got hot, so …” said Yelle, who has contributed seven goals, 11 assists and an unquantifiable presence on the penalty kill for Boston in 72 games this season.

Now Yelle will be a key cog on a playoff team for a 12th time and he’ll more of a chance to justify his decision to be a Bruin.