Press Release - Habs Hire Martin Lapointe and Patrice Brisebois

Martin Lapointe and Patrice Brisebois join the Canadiens in player development

MONTREAL (June 13, 2012) – Montreal Canadiens Executive vice president and general manager, Marc Bergevin, announced today the appointment of Martin Lapointe to the position of director of player development, and Patrice Brisebois to the position of player development coach.

A native of Ville St-Pierre, Quebec, Martin Lapointe enjoyed a successful 14-year career in the NHL with four different teams before he was hired as a pro scout by the Chicago Blackhawks organization in December 2009. Over his NHL career, Martin suited up for 991 games recording 381 points (181 goals and 200 assists) after being drafted 10th overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks on August 4, 2005, Martin Lapointe would go on to play 216 games with the Hawks over three seasons recording 30 goals and 32 assists before being acquired by the Ottawa Senators at the trading deadline, on February 26, 2008. Prior to joining the Blackhawks, the former Lac St. Louis and Laval Titan star forward spent three seasons with the Boston Bruins where he was signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 2, 2001. As a Bruin, Lapointe had 83 points, including 40 goals in 205 games. He made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 1991-92 suiting up for four games. Lapointe would earn a permanent spot on the Red Wings roster in 1993-94 playing 50 games and racking up 16 points. He tallied his first NHL goal on November 21, 1993 scoring on St. Louis’ netminder Curtis Joseph. As a Red Wing, Lapointe took part in 552 games, amassing 108 goals and adding 122 helpers for a total of 230 points. He also played a pivotal role in the Red Wings Stanley Cup championships in 1997 and 1998, scoring the Cup winning goal in the fourth and decisive game of the finals over the Washington Capitals in 1998.

Now 38, Martin Lapointe started out his professional career with a Calder Cup championship with Adirondack (AHL) in 1991-1992. He began his junior career with the Laval Titan at age 16 playing four seasons with that franchise racking seasons of 96, 98, 55 and 89 points. He wrapped up his QMJHL career with 338 points, including 149 goals, in 195 games. Lapointe also played in the Memorial Cup tournament in 1992-93 and led the CHL with 30 playoff points (13 goals and 17 assists). On the international stage, Lapointe represented Canada at three World Junior Hockey Championships winning a gold medal in 1991 (Saskatoon) and 1993 (Gävle, Sweden). His combined record at the WJHC shows 9 goals and 8 assists in 21 games.

Martin Lapointe and his wife, Tania, have four children.

Born on January 27, 1971 in Montreal, defenseman Patrice Brisebois enjoyed a successful 18-year career in the NHL, including 16 with the Canadiens, who made him their second round pick, 30th overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Throughout his career Brisebois suited up in 1,009 games, recording 98 goals and 322 assists, for a total of 420 points. He appeared in 98 playoff contests, notching 32 points, and won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1993.

Patrice Brisebois spent the last two seasons of his career with the Canadiens during which he played his 1,000th NHL game on March 14, 2009, after suiting up for the Colorado Avalanche from 2005 to 2007. A chronic back injury limited him to 113 games during which he recorded 11 goals and 38 helpers. He enjoyed his most successful seasons with Montreal. From 1990-91, at only 20 years of age, until the end of the 2003-04 season Brisebois played 791 games, recording 342 points, including 79 goals. He ranks third among Canadiens’ defensemen for games played (behind Larry Robinson and Serge Savard) and 11th on the team’s all-time list.

Patrice Brisebois’ career was successful at all levels, starting with his junior years when he participated in the Memorial Cup tournament on three occasions, twice with the Laval Titan and once with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, being named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team in 1991. That same year, Brisebois was voted top defenseman in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and earned a spot on the QMJHL’s First All-Star Team.

On the international stage he is one of few players to represent Canada twice at the World Junior Championship winning the gold medal on each occasion, in 1990 and 1991. In 14 games in those two championships he scored 3 goals and added 8 assists for 11 points. Patrice Brisebois stood out for his community involvement throughout his career with the Canadiens. He was awarded the Jean-Béliveau Trophy in 2009 for his remarkable impact on the community.

Patrice Brisebois and his wife, Michèle, have two daughters.

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