Feb 25 Habs Trade F Steve Begin-Acquire D Doug Janik with Dallas Stars

No sooner had Steve Begin suggested in a recent interview, that if the Montreal   Canadiens no longer needed his service, trading him to a team that did would have been appreciated, than the Habs granted his request. Begin was traded today to the Dallas Stars for defenseman Doug Janik.

 Obviously disappointed that he had recently become the constant odd man out and healthy scratch for several straight games, Begin, never a complainer, quietly made it known that he wanted to play hockey and if it wasn't here, anywhere else would do, as the writing on the wall was quite evident as far as his future with the Montreal Canadiens was concerned when a young Gregory Stewart was called up from Hamilton.

I for one loved the work ethic and positive attitude of Begin who was ever-present in the community, the locker room and the ice; a pure team player. If only his talent equalled his determination, we would never had let him leave.

There is not much to tell of Janik, whose 6'2", 211 pound frame recorded one point (1 assist) and served 2 penalty minutes in 13 games with Dallas this season. One wonders if Janik is a piece in trade puzzle Bob Gainey may be putting together.

Please read on for the official Habs press release.

MONTREAL (February 26, 2009) – Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the acquisition of defenseman Doug Janik from the Dallas Stars, in return for forward Steve Bégin.

“Throughout his five seasons in the Montreal Canadiens’ jersey Steve Bégin has been a proud competitor who dedicated himself to the team. As an organization, we are grateful to Steve for his play on the ice as well as his involvement in the Quebec community. We wish Steve the very best with the Dallas Stars. Doug Janik, obtained by the Canadiens in return for Bégin, is a solid defenseman who brings 159 games of experience at the NHL level and who will add depth to our group of defensemen.”

Janik, 6-2, 211 pounds, recorded one point (1 assist) and served 2 penalty minutes in 13 games with Dallas this season. Drafted in the second round by Buffalo, 55^th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Janik amassed 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) with 121 penalty minutes in six NHL seasons, with Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Dallas. The 28-year-old defenseman signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent on July 6, 2006. Janik will join the Canadiens’ farm team in Hamilton (LAH) provided he clears waivers by Saturday at noon.

Bégin, 30, registered 10 points (6 buts, 4 passes) with 27 penalty minutes in 42 games with the Canadiens this season. The left-winger, claimed by the Canadiens from the Sabres on waivers on October 3, 2003, also played in the NHL with the Calgary Flames from 1997-98 to 2002-03.

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