Defenceman Paul Mara Signs 1 Year Deal With Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have added another big body to their blue line with the recent announcement that they have signed former New York Ranger and UFA, Paul Mara to a 1 year contract.
Mara, at 6 foot 4, 212 pounds will help bolster the Canadiens' blue line and figures to be the last of the acquistions via free agency that GM Bob Gainey is able to perform. Gainey had mentionned he was looking for another defenceman and in Mara, he gets experience, size and 2 way d-man that can pinch in on the play. The downside on MAra is that he is a minus 95 for his 9 year career, going as low as minus 27 in 2000 with the Lightning and minus 22 in 2007 as a member of the Bruins, but has improved in his last few seasons completing each year in the plus category.
Please read on for the official Canadiens Press release and Bio on Mara.
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the signing of defenseman Paul Mara to a one-year contract for the 2009-10 season. As per Club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
« Paul Mara will bring size and experience to our group of defensemen. He can contribute to all facets of the game », said Bob Gainey.
Last season, the 6-4, 212-pound defenseman scored 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists) with 94 penalty minutes, 102 shots on goal, a plus-2 rating and an 18:57 time on ice average in 76 regular-season games with the New York Rangers. In 10 NHL seasons, the 29-year-old amassed 239 points (63 goals, 176 assists), fired 943 shots on goal and served 640 penalty minutes in 639 regular season games, with Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Boston, and the New York Rangers.
A native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Mara represented Team USA at the World Junior Championship on three occasions (1997 to 1999) and won a bronze medal at the 2004 World Championship, in Czech Republic.
Mara was selected in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 7th overall at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
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