MONTREAL –
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the signing of Canadiens’ defenseman
Francis Bouillon and of free agent forward Peter Vandermeer to one-year contracts (2005-2006).
"We are happy to retain the services of a veteran of the calibre of
Francis Bouillon. Francis is a very reliable defenseman whose determination is contagious. He fits very well within our group of defensemen. As for Peter Vandermeer, he is a role player with a lot of experience in the AHL. Considered to be a good team player, he will add depth and toughness to our group of forwards", commented Bob Gainey.
Bouillon, 29, will begin his sixth season in the Canadiens uniform. In 2004-05, he registered 18 points in 21 games (6 goals, 12 assists) with Leksand in the Swedish League. Bouillon played in 228 career regular season games in the NHL, totalling 49 points (8 goals, 21 assists) and 171 penalty minutes. He was the recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy in 2003-04 with the
Montreal Canadiens.
Bouillon joined the Canadiens as a free agent on August 18, 1998. Following a short stint with the
Nashville Predators, he was claimed on waivers by the Canadiens on October 25, 2002.
The 29 year old Vandermeer played with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s main affiliate, last season recording 4 goals and 13 assists and 310 penalty minutes in 73 regular season games. The 6’ – 210 lbs left winger began his professional hockey career in 1996-1997 and played for several teams including AHL franchises in Rochester, Providence, Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia and Grand Rapids in 2004-2005. Peter Vandermeer’s AHL career stats include 43 goals, 50 assists and 1,759 penalty minutes in 380 regular season games.