Bruins acquire goaltender Eklund

BOSTON --The Boston Bruins on Wednesday acquired goaltender Brian Eklund from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Zdenek Blatny.

Eklund, 25, is a native of Braintree and played four seasons at Brown University. The Bruins on Wednesday assigned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, the team said.

Eklund was drafted by Tampa Bay 226th overall in 2000 and has played the past three-plus seasons for the Lightning's minor league affiliates.

Blatny, 25, signed with the Bruins on Sept. 30 and spent most of this season with the Providence Bruins. He had nine goals and 22 assists in 35 games for Providence.