Providence Bruins ink Jake Schmaltz to two-year AHL extension

The Providence Bruins announced on Jan. 6 that forward Jake Schmaltz has signed a two-year American Hockey League contract extension that runs through the 2027-28 season. The move gives Providence roster stability down the middle and on the wing while preserving a player who has shown two-way value this season.

Schmaltz, 24, has appeared in 24 games for Providence this season, recording five goals and six assists. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward has chipped in a shorthanded goal and sits at a plus-four rating, numbers that underline his contribution on the penalty kill and in responsible defensive minutes. He also skated in four games for the Bruins at the end of the 2024-25 season, scoring once while getting his first taste of the AHL pro game after turning pro.

A seventh-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (192nd overall), Schmaltz signed a one-year AHL contract with Providence last March. This extension shifts him from short-term depth piece to a multi-year option the club can rely on for physical forechecking, penalty-kill zone work, and gritty bottom-six minutes as the season progresses.

For Providence fans, this is a practical win. The roster grind in the AHL—injuries, NHL call-ups, and lineup churn—makes dependable middle-six players valuable. Schmaltz’s size and shorthanded scoring show he can plug into kill units and drive play away from his net. Keeping him under contract now gives the Bruins a known commodity rather than searching for replacements mid-season.

The extension also matters for player development and community connection. Local supporters tracking prospects will be able to follow a familiar face over the next two seasons, and the organization avoids repeatedly resetting a role that Schmaltz has already begun to fill. From a coaching standpoint, a locked-in depth forward helps with line combinations and special teams planning as the club chases wins and playoff positioning.

The practical takeaway is simple: Schmaltz’s extension buys Providence time to see if his early-season production and defensive reliability translate into sustained bottom-six leadership or even push him for NHL consideration down the road. Our two cents? Keep an eye on his penalty-kill minutes and shorthanded opportunities—those are the clearest indicators he’s trending from useful AHL piece to everyday pro.