Official Press Release - Habs Sign Ryan Russell

CANADIENS SIGN FORWARD RYAN RUSSELL TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

MONTREAL (July 20, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of forward Ryan Russell to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2010-11 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Russell, 23, played in 74 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2009-10. He finished sixth on the team with 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists), and led the team with three shorthanded goals. Russell also maintained a plus-16 differential, added 149 shots on goal and served eight penalty minutes. He added 12 points (7-5-12) in 19 playoff games, while posting a plus-5 differential.

The 5-foot-10, 174-pound center has totaled 79 points (41 goals, 38 assists) in 178 career regular season games in the AHL with Hamilton. Russell also played 12 games in 2007-08 with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, collecting 10 points (6-4-10) and contributing to the Cyclones’ Kelly Cup Championship that year.

A native of Caroline, Alberta, Russell was selected in the seventh round, 211th overall by the New York Rangers at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Canadiens in a transaction with the Rangers on May 31, 2007.

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