Brief

Bruins, Spooner avoid arbitration with deal

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins and centre Ryan Spooner avoided arbitration on the day of their hearing, agreeing to a one-year, $2,825,000 deal Wednesday. The 25-year-old Spooner became a restricted free agent July 1 after finishing a twoyear contract that was worth $950,000 per season. Spooner said that he didn’t want to go through the hearing because it’s “not a pleasant thing” and he didn’t think the Bruins wanted to participate, either.

He’s the 24th player to settle this summer without a hearing after filing for arbitration.

Spooner can be a restricted free agent again next summer.

He had 11 goals and 28 assists in 78 games last season, his second full season in the NHL. He has 32 goals and 85 assists in 214 regular-season NHL games.

The Associated Press