Press Release - Habs Sign Alexandre Picard

THE MONTREAL CANADIENS SIGN DEFENSEMAN ALEXANDRE PICARD TO A 1-YEAR CONTRACT

MONTREAL (July 31, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of defenseman Alexandre Picard to a one-year, two-way contract (2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Picard, who turned 25 on July 5, started the 2009-2010 NHL season with the Ottawa Senators before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on February 12. Picard had a combined total of 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) and 26 penalty minutes in 54 games.

The 6’3’’, 215-pound defenseman began his NHL career in 2005-2006 with the Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2008. Over the course of five NHL seasons, he played 193 games earning 16 goals, including 9 on the power-play and 41 assists for a total of 57 points.

Picard, who hails from Gatineau (QC), also played three seasons in the AHL, recording 74 points (16-58) in 135 games. A product of the QMJHL, he suited up with the Halifax Mooseheads (2001 to 2003 and 2004-05) and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (2003-03) tallying 122 points (31-91) in 255 games. He also played 56 playoff games in the QMJHL, adding 17 points (4-13) in 56 match-ups.

Picard was selected in the third round, 85th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

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