Two prospective tough guys

Career minor leaguers Mike Egener and Ryan Stokes will be in training camp with the Bruins next month. Egener and Stokes will be candidates to fill the enforcer role in Providence vacated by behemoth Steve MacIntyre, who signed a two-year, two-way contract with Florida earlier this summer.

Egener, 23, was selected 34th overall by Tampa Bay in the star-studded 2003 draft (the Bruins selected Patrice Bergeron 11 slots later). The 6-foot-4, 213-pound defenseman appeared in 17 games for Norfolk last season, scoring a goal and two assists while recording 28 penalty minutes. In 2006-07, Egener racked up 152 PIMs for Springfield. In 2004-05, Egener totaled a pro-high 183 penalty minutes for the Falcons.

"He plays a physical game," assistant GM Jim Benning wrote in an e-mail. "Hits hard and will stick up for his teammates."

The 25-year-old Stokes appeared in 55 games for Rockford last year, putting up a 4-6--10 line with 93 penalty minutes. The year before, while playing for Houston, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Stokes recorded 158 PIMs in 72 games. Stokes was undrafted coming out of the OHL (two years with Barrie, two with Mississauga).

"Stokes plays a defensive-style game," Benning wrote. "Good size, range, and is good in own end."

Here's a clip of an Egener bout from last year:

ANALYSIS: It won't be possible to replace MacIntyre, the 6-foot-6 giant who had 213 penalty minutes last year and was one of the most feared fighters in the AHL. In fact, the P-Bruins may not even go with a designated tough guy. But bringing in Egener and Stokes gives Providence options if the Bruins want some protection for their younger skilled players.