Jul 15 Habs Ink Prospects Alexander Avtsin, David Desharnais - Habs Press release Avtsin/Desharnais

MONTREAL (July 15, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of forward David Desharnais to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2010-11 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Desharnais, 23, played in six games with the Canadiens in 2009-10, including his first career NHL game on November 25 against the Penguins, in Pittsburgh. He registered one assist and had two shots on goal. The Quebec City native led the Bulldogs in scoring last season (tied for 4th overall in the AHL) with 78 points (27 goals, 51 assists) in only 60 games. He also led the team with 11 powerplay goals, maintained a +30 plus/minus differential, added 155 shots on goal and served 34 penalty minutes.

Desharnais has totaled 139 points (52 goals, 87 assists) in 148 career regular season games in the AHL with Hamilton (141 games) and Bridgeport (7 games). In his first full season at the professional hockey level in 2007-2008, Desharnais led the Cincinnati Cyclones to their first ECHL championship. The centreman led the ECHL in points (9-24-33) and assists (24).

During the regular season, the Quebec City native registered a league-leading 106 points in 68 games (29 goals, 77 helpers) while posting a +38 plus/minus differential. Desharnais was named the ECHL Rookie of the Year and voted to the league’s All-Star Team in 2008.

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MONTREAL (July 15, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of forward Alexander Avtsin to a three-year contract (2010-11 to 2012-13). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Avtsin, 19, played 30 games in 2009-10 with the KHL’s Moscow Dynamo. The 6’2’’, 188 lbs right winger registered 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists), with 10 penalty minutes.

In 2008-09, Avtsin recorded 110 points (56 goals, 54 assists) in 76 regular season games with the Moscow Dynamo-2 (Russia-3), while also serving 130 penalty minutes.

A native of Moscow, Avtsin was selected in the fourth round, 109th overall by the Canadiens at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Avtsin participated in the Canadiens’ development camp in July 2009 and this past camp in July 2010.

Tags: Alexander Avtsin \ contracts \ David Desharnais \ habs \ Hamilton Bulldogs \ Montreal Canadiens \ signed