Sep 15 Philippe Lefebvre a Hab Hopeful

In another testament to the saying that hard work pays off, Philippe Lefebvre has gone from not being picked through seven long rounds of the 2009 NHL entry draft to heading back to the "Q" under contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

Lefebvre, who played for Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher while both were in Drummondville last season, was invited by the Habs to take part in their development camp in July.

After being admittedly disappointed at not having been drafted during the 2009 selection held here in Montreal, Lefebvre said he took a few days off to dwell on it, but then got right back to training. This attitude proved fruitful as he was later called on to attend the Habs' rookie camp and to his delight, was asked to stay and train with the big boys this week.

While Lefebvre has been advised that he will be returning back to the QMJHL today, the sting was softened with the fact that he had a 3 year contract signed and he headed back to Drummondville with the knowledge that he was now property of the Montreal Canadiens.

Please read on for the official press release.

MONTREAL (September 15, 2009) – Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the signing of free-agent forward Philippe Lefebvre to a three-year contract (2009-10 to 2011-12). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Lefebvre won the 2009 QMJHL Championship with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, representing the League at the Memorial Cup Tournament. In 2008-09, the six-foot, 193-pound left-winger finished sixth among Drummondville skaters with a plus-31 rating in 68 regular-season games. In his second QMJHL season, the 18-year-old scored 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) and registered 178 shots in regular season, adding eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) with a plus-6 rating in 19 playoff contests.

In 2007-08, Lefebvre totaled 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) and 16 penalty minutes in 62 games as a rookie in the QMJHL.

Selected in the first round, second overall by Drummondville at the 2007 QMJHL Draft, Lefebvre was invited to the Canadiens’ development Camp last July. He was also invited to the club’s rookie camp and the main training camp.

Tags: bob gainey \ contract \ Drummondville Voltigeurs \ Guy Boucher \ habs \ Montreal Canadiens \ NHL \ Philippe Lefebvre \ QMJHL \ signed