’10-11 Bruins Season in Review:
Shane Hnidy

Hnidy/By S. Bradley

The Bruins signed Shane Hnidy in February to be an insurance policy against injuries to their defense corps and serve as another veteran voice in the dressing room.

With little fanfare he accomplished the job he was hired to do.

The 35-year-old made up for anything he failed to contribute in his few forays on the ice by working hard in practice to improve his teammates and by serving as a voice of reason and wisdom behind closed doors.

And heck, he gave Shawn Thornton someone else to eat dinner with.

Stats

Regular season: 3 GP, 0-0-0, minus-2

Playoffs: 3 GP, 0-0-0, even

Contract status: Scheduled UFA July 1

Best regular-season moment: Hnidy had been nursing a shoulder injury since training camp, but the Bruins knew him well enough to take a chance and sign him as a free agent to a tryout agreement Feb. 23 and then a one-year deal Feb. 26. That made sure Hnidy’s NHL career wouldn’t arrive without one more shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

Best playoff moment: His on-ice appearances were somewhat ugly, but off the ice Hnidy made a major contribution. Prior to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, Hnidy and Thornton brought in pictures of past Bruins Cup celebrations for the team to admire and use as inspiration.

Worst moment: In his last game played of the season, Hnidy skated just 2:37 in Game 4 against Philadelphia but still managed to pick up an ill-advised slashing penalty.

Regular-season grade: Incomplete.

Playoff grade: B-minus. Would’ve liked to have seen him be able to contribute a little more and take better care of the puck in his scarce minutes.

Carnac predicts … Hnidy will wait until his hometown Winnipeg Jets need him to help out — which might not happen until injuries hit during the regular season.