BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Hal Gill to a one-year contract, Bruins general manager Mike O’Connell announced Tuesday.

Gill, 30, who was a restricted free agent, has scored 19 goals and 68 assists in seven seasons with the Bruins. His plus/minus rating of 16 was the second highest of any Boston defenseman in the 2003-2004 season.

“He is one of our steadiest and most reliable players,” O’Connell said.

The Concord native was Boston’s eighth pick in the 1993 NHL entry draft. He turned pro in 1997 after four years at Providence College.

He played 31 games for Lukko Rauma in Finland during the recent NHL lockout.

AP-ES-08-30-05 1742EDT