Below is an excerpt from the Hamilton Spectator article by Garry McKay who interviewed hulking defensman (6-foot-5, 220-pounder) Alex Henry who was signed by Bob Gainey/Julien BriseBois as a UFA this past summer.

He signed as a free agent this summer with the Montreal Canadiens, who assigned him to the Bulldogs after their training camp and preseason.

He said if you look at who Montreal has on defence it was obvious to him that he would be in Hamilton to at least start this season.

“I want a chance to play up, everybody here does,” Henry said. “I watched games there growing up and I still have family in Montreal.”

But if he has to play in the minors Henry doesn’t mind it being in Hamilton.

“That was one of the factors in my decision to sign with Montreal,” he said. “And I’m from Ontario so it’s closer to home.”