Providence Bruins Sign Former Fourth-Round Pick Defenseman
The Providence Bruins added a defenseman to their roster on Sunday.
“Providence Bruins General Manager Evan Gold announced today, December 7, that the Providence Bruins have signed defenseman Christian Wolanin to a one-year AHL contract,” the team’s official website announced.
Wolanin, a dual Canadian-American defenseman born in Quebec City in 1995, has carved out a solid hockey path after being selected 107th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL Draft. Following a standout USHL tenure with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he earned Second All-Star honors, Wolanin excelled at the University of North Dakota, capturing an NCAA title in 2016 and twice making the NCHC Academic All-Conference team.
He signed an entry-level deal with Ottawa in 2017, debuting in the NHL the next March against Edmonton. Over 86 games across Ottawa, Los Angeles (acquired in a 2021 trade), Buffalo, and Vancouver, Wolanin tallied 23 points. In the AHL, he shone brighter, winning the Eddie Shore Award as top defenseman in 2022-23 and a Calder Cup with Abbotsford in 2025, contributing 10 playoff points including a Western Conference Finals overtime winner.
After his Vancouver contract expired, Wolanin joined the Providence Bruins on a professional tryout in November 2025, scoring an overtime game-winner in his debut.