WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Boston Bruins defenseman Garry Galley hopes he's finally in the right place at the right time.
Galley, 25, signed with the Bruins as a free agent July 8 after spending last season with the Washington Capitals. Boston will give the Capitals its third-round draft choice in 1989 to complete the deal.
Galley's offensive skills have never been questioned, but in his four previous NHL seasons he has gained the reputation of being a one-dimensional player. Washington coach Bryan Murray used him almost exclusively on the power play in 1987-88.
'He's a skilled player,' said Maine Mariners coach Mike Milbury, who ran the Bruins practices while the NHL club was on an exhibition game road trip. 'The rap on him has been his defensive play, but he does some things we can work on. And the (offensive) dimension he adds to the game can definitely help us.'
The Bruins power play was a cause of concern last season and with the Bruins lacking depth on defense, Galley has a chance to step right in. Gord Kluzak, who paired with Ray Bourque on the team's No. 1 defensive unit last season, is out indefinitely with a knee injury and veteran Reed Larson was released over the summer.
'Coming here is a new life, a chance to start fresh,' said Galley, who started his NHL career with the L.A. Kings in 1984-85 and was traded to the Capitals in Feb. of 1987. 'Washington wanted me strictly for the power play. Some games they'd tell me, 'That's all you're going to do tonight.
'In my heart, I know I can contribute more than that. I was second on the team in plus-minus with a plus-21 in very limited even-strength action.'
Galley played some of his best hockey in the playoffs last spring after Rod Langway was injured. He had three goals, two coming in seventh games, and four assists in 13 games. During the regular season, he had seven goals and 23 assists in 58 games.
While he's not a big hitter in the Bruins tradition, the young veteran moves the puck well, both by skating and passing.
'He pops into the holes, in and out, really well,' said Bourque, who might be Galley's blue line partner when the season begins Oct. 6. 'He's able to jump into the offense and he seems to play well defensively. I think everyone that comes here plays better defense, just because of the size of our rink.'
A tremendous opportunity exists for Galley, who was an All-America in his final year at Bowling Green University in 1983-84.
'I'm just looking for a chance to get some more ice time,' said the new Bruin. 'The last few years, my confidence has taken a real beating.'
