WILMINGTON, Mass. (AP) – Michael Ryder knows he has something to prove – to himself and the Boston Bruins.

Coming off two straight 30-goal seasons for the Montreal Canadiens, Ryder saw his ice time and production drop last season. He wound up dipping to 14 goals and dressed for only four playoff games – poor numbers for a right wing entering free agency.

But the 28-year-old Ryder had something going for him. Bruins coach Claude Julien coached him with three different teams in Montreal’s system, including the Canadiens, and saw the best of Ryder. The Bruins ended up signing Ryder to a three-year, $12 million contract in a move seen as a gamble around the NHL, but one that Ryder wants to make sure pays off.

“Last year was kind of a write-off, I’m kind of forgetting about it,” Ryder said Friday, a day before the official opening of his new team’s training camp. “It was a tough year, but now is a clean, fresh start and I just have to make sure I work hard and get back to where I was.”

Julien has said he knows “what buttons to push” to make Ryder perform. Friday, Julien added, “I forgot to say, ‘so far.”‘

“He’s worked hard at making sure he showed up here in good shape and obviously I think he’s looking forward to making a good first impression,” Julien said.

If Ryder can return to form, he would end up on the first line with Marc Savard and give the Bruins something they need – a winger who can score.

“He knows how to get in the right position to be able to get the shot off, he has a great shot, a quick release and he’s not afraid to get into those areas where you have to be to get those opportunities to score,” said Bruins vice president Cam Neely. “I would like to believe he has something to prove to himself and to others.”

Notes: The Bruins officially open training camp at the TD Banknorth Garden on Saturday. They begin the preseason schedule Monday night against Montreal in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Defenseman Zdeno Chara (shoulder surgery) and Shane Hnidy (knee surgery) will both be closely monitored through camp, but both are expected to see time in preseason games. Center Patrice Bergeron, out since last Oct. 27 after suffering a serious concussion, has cleared all hurdles and is ready to go.

AP-ES-09-19-08 1637EDT