Montreal Canadiens
Jul 15, 2009, 1:04 PM EDT
PRESS RELEASE
MONTREAL — Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced Wednesday the signing of defenseman Shawn Belle (two way) to a one-year contract for the 2009-10 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
Last season, Shawn Belle registered 13 points (3 buts, 10 assists) and posted a plus-19 rating with 93 penalty minutes in 60 regular-season AHL games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. In four AHL campaigns, the 24-year-old amassed 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) with 321 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating in 241 regular-season contests, with Iowa, Houston and Hamilton.
Belle also represented Canada at the World Junior Championship on two occasions, winning the silver medal in 2004 in Finland, and the gold medal the following year in the United States.
The 6-1, 235-pound blueliner was acquired by the Canadiens from the Minnesota Wild in return for Corey Locke, on July 11, 2008. A native of Edmonton, Belle scored one point (1 assist) and recorded a plus-4 rating in nine NHL career games, all with Minnesota in 2006-07.
Belle was selected in the first round by the St. Louis Blues, 30th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Belle is in a tough situation. Almost all of the veteran defensemen on the Habs shoot left, like he does. I think six of the top seven defensemen are left handed shots. That will make it more likely that Yannick Weber or Mathieu Carle would get a callup in case of injury.
Comments are closed.