by By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff , The Boston Globe

WILMINGTON - Last September, Patrice Bergeron was well on his way to recovering from his Grade 3 concussion and preparing himself for 2008-09.

Jeff LoVecchio was not.

On March 18, 2008, LoVecchio signed a two-year contract with the Bruins after concluding his junior season at Western Michigan University. The gritty forward was an instant two-way fit in Providence. LoVecchio dressed for 14 regular-season games for the P- Bruins , scoring three goals and two assists, and made six playoff appearances.

But while preparing for his first NHL training camp last September, LoVecchio stumbled while skating on his own at a rink in St. Louis near his Chesterfield, Mo., home. LoVecchio's head smashed into the boards and he lost consciousness. LoVecchio was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion, the second of his career. He did not play a game in 2008-09 because of postconcussion syndrome.

``It was pretty much the worst eight months of my life,'' said LoVecchio, who has recovered and has been participating in this week's development camp at Ristuccia Arena. ``I wouldn't wish it upon anybody.''

It was a cruel fate for a player who had opened the bosses' eyes with a strong showing in Providence. LoVecchio would have likely spent the season in the AHL, and might have gotten a big-league sniff as a fourth-line fill-in.

``He was good,'' assistant general manager Jim Benning said. ``He's a good skater. He gets in on the forecheck, hits, and he's good defensively. He's a good penalty killer. He can play a matchup role.''

Because of the symptoms (headaches, dizziness), LoVecchio had to have his mother drive him to training camp last fall. LoVecchio spent last season in Providence, where he continued his recovery process. He said his vestibular system, which regulates balance, was altered because of the concussion.

``They told me that your brain forgets how to regulate itself when your blood pressure goes up,'' LoVecchio said. ``I had to slowly push the envelope, and not too far. I had to find a common medium as to where I could push it so I could be healthy but not over go that threshold. It's not a very easy injury to deal with.''

By the end of last season, LoVecchio had improved to the point where he might have been able to play. But LoVecchio and the organization decided not to take any risks. Instead of playing, LoVecchio skated and worked out in Providence. He continued his workouts at home and was cleared for contact prior to camp.

This week, the 6-foot-2-inch, 194-pound LoVecchio has been one of the more boisterous players on the ice. LoVecchio, who turns 24 Aug. 26, views himself as a power forward. Appropriately, he has been quick to deliver hits and drive to the net. LoVecchio said he's fit and should be ready for training camp in September, where he hopes to make up for a lost year and convince management to give him a good look.

``To miss an entire season, that's a long time,'' said Don Sweeney, director of Hockey operations and player development. ``But he's very eager in wanting to be a part of it. He feels like he didn't get off on the right foot. We look at it and say that he did do well coming out of college, jumping into the American League level a year ago. He's not going to get back the year of experience that he missed. But he's healthy. He's in a great frame of mind. He realizes that physically, he's probably more mature than some of the kids who are out here now and probably ready from the compete side of it, as long as he's healthy. He's a big body. He's going to get to spots in straight lines, which are things we appreciate. He has the ability to protect the puck. I think he's going to be coming into camp chomping at the bit.''

Riendeau sidelined

In 2008-09, Yannick Riendeau led all players in the offensive-minded Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 126 points in 64 games for Drummondville, which advanced to the Memorial Cup semifinals.

He did it with a bum left shoulder, no less.

For all of last season, the lefthanded-shooting Riendeau played with a torn labrum. Two weeks ago, Riendeau underwent surgery and will be out until November, when he hopes to be in the Providence lineup for his first pro experience as a go-to offensive player.

``I had more confidence [in myself] than the other years,'' said Riendeau, who was signed as a free agent April 2. ``Just simple things, maybe. Before, I'd think too much. Now, with shooting more at the net and more confidence, that helped me a lot.''

The 5-11, 178-pound Riendeau compared himself with Dallas's Mike Ribeiro - an undersized forward with point-producing ability. The Bruins have likened him to former Detroit forward Jiri Hudler. Riendeau acknowledged that his skating needs work, which could have been one reason why he went undrafted.

``I was good,'' said Riendeau. ``But to be drafted, you have to be better than good.''

Kwiet commits

Camp invitee Rob Kwiet signed a three-year, entry-level contract yesterday to provide blue-line depth for Providence. The 6-1, 218-pound Kwiet scored 12 goals and had 55 assists last season for Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League, helping the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup. ``Thick kid,'' said Benning. ``He can move the puck up the ice. He's poised with the puck. Good shot.'' . . . Yuri Alexandrov, the 37th overall pick of the 2006 draft, has shown a strong all-around game in camp. Alexandrov, 21, will return to Cherepovets of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League for 2009-10, but could play for the Bruins after that. ``We're very pleased that Yuri took the initiative to be here,'' Sweeney said. Alexandrov played in only 26 games last season because of a shoulder injury, but Sweeney said the smooth-moving defenseman has made strides in his development.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa @globe.com.

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