Dec 21 Canadiens recall Benoit Pouliot from the Hamilton Bulldogs

After 3 games in Hamilton on a reconditioning stint to test out the repaired hand injury to Benoit Pouliot, the young forward has been recalled by the Montreal Candadiens and is expected to join the team in Atlanta today.

No word on whether he cracks the line-up tonight or not, however one would expect that if Pouliot was called up so quickly, he is bound to see some ice-time either tonight against the Thrashers or Wednesday vs the Carolina Hurricanes.

In Pouliot’s first 2 games with the Dogs, he registered a grand total of 4 shots with no points and ended with a plus 1 rating. The third game was a charm however, with the former 4^th pick overall notching a goal, an assist and seven shots on goal in Hamilton’s 5-4 overtime victory over the Rochester Americans yesterday.

It would seem that this was all the Habs needed to see as they recalled Pouliot in time for tonight’s game against Atlanta…assuming all proper phone calls were made to NHL officials. (sorry, I just couldn’t resist!)

Whether he like it or not, Pouliot already has great expectations awaiting him as he was traded for Guillaume Latendresse and fnas are hoping that at the very least, Pouliot will be able to match the offensive tallies that Latendresse can muster as a member of the Minnesota Wild. Latendresse’s best season as a Hab saw him reach 16 goals.

Please read onfor the official Habs press release.