BUTTON, CROSS HEAD SOUTH

Pair of defensemen assigned to South Carolina

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that the Boston Bruins (NHL) have assigned Ryan Button and Tommy Cross to the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).

Button, of Edmonton, Alberta, is being reassigned to South Carolina for the first time this season. The second-year pro split last season between Providence and Reading (ECHL), totaling a combined eight points in 58 games for the clubs. In 23 games for the Bruins this season, Button has gone scoreless and recorded 15 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the 6'0", 185-pound defenseman spent four seasons in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders and Seattle Thunderbirds. In 264 career junior games, Button recorded 113 points on 16 goals and 97 assists.

Cross skated in 23 games for the Bruins since being assigned on November 30. The 6'3", 210-pound defenseman recorded 1+5=6 totals and 21 points. The Simsbury, Connecticut native was originally assigned to South Carolina on October 11. At the time of his assignment to Providence, Cross led the Stingrays in scoring with 17 points on six goals and 11 assists.
Cross, a four-year product of Boston College, joined Providence at the end of the 2011-12 season for two games. Boston's second round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft won two NCAA Championships while at Boston College.