Peter Chiarelli announced today that the Boston Bruins had recalled goaltender Matt Dalton from the Reading Royals of their East Coast Hockey League [ECHL] affiliate on an emergency basis.  Bruins’ undeclared No. 2 net-minder Tim Thomas will remain in Vancouver with Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics, as Dalton will join the Black-and-Gold for their first schedule practice since the Olympic break this Thursday, 10:30 a.m. EST, at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, MA.

Dalton, 23,  has appeared in 36 games this season for the Royals with a 16-18-2 overall record, a pedestrian .905 save-percentage, and a 3.54 goals against average. The 6’1″, 194 lb, Dalton has also appeared four games in the AHL with the Providence Bruins this season, and has posted a losing 0-4-0 record, .889 save-percentage, and a goals-against average of 3.98.

The Clinton, Ontario native was signed by the Bruins as a free-agent on April 22, 2009 after playing two seasons at Bemidji State University, where he posted a career 2.29 goals-against average — the best in school history.