BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Bruins obtained defensemen Nathan Saunders and Brett Skinner from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday for center Mark Mowers.

Mowers had five goals and 12 assists in 78 games for Boston last season. In 261 NHL games with Nashville, Detroit and Boston, he has 17 goals and 44 assists. Saunders and Skinner, who haven’t played in the NHL, were assigned to Boston’s AHL team in Providence.

Saunders was drafted by Anaheim in the fourth round in 2003. Last season, he had one goal and 13 assists in 59 games for Augusta of the ECHL and three assists in 16 games for Portland of the AHL.

Skinner, a third-round draft pick by Vancouver in 2002, played last season for Portland and Omaha of the AHL and Augusta.

AP-ES-09-24-07 1857EDT