Canadiens Sign Josh Gorges, Five Others

[Thrillhouse]

MONTREAL – Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Tuesday the signing of defensemen Josh Gorges, Jean-Philippe Côté and Andrew Archer, as well as goaltender Yann Danis and forwards Duncan Milroy and Corey Locke.

Last February, the Canadiens acquired Gorges along with San Jose's first-round pick in 2007 (used to select Max Pacioretty), in exchange for Craig Rivet and the Canadiens' fifth-round pick in 2008. The 22-year-old played 47 games with the Sharks and seven with the Canadiens in 2006-07. In his rookie season in 2005-06 the Kelowna, BC native played 49 NHL regular-season games and took part in all 11 of the Sharks’ playoff contests. In 2004, Gorges captained the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL to a Memorial Cup Championship and helped Team Canada to a silver medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Finland.

Jean-Philippe Coté, 25, spent the past four seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. In 2006-07, in 68 contests with the Canadiens’ farm club, the Charlesbourg, Quebec native totaled 12 points (three goals and nine assists) and 115 penalty minutes in regular-season action. He also played six games during the Bulldogs’ Calder Cup run, helping the team to its first-ever championship. Coté appeared in eight games with the Canadiens in 2005-06, posting a plus-minus rating of plus-2 and recording four penalty minutes. The defenseman was acquired by the Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent in August 2004.

The Canadiens selected Andrew Archer, 24, in the seventh round (203rd overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, the Calgary native helped lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to their Calder Cup Championship, accumulating three assists, 21 penalty minutes and a plus-minus rating of plus-3 in 19 playoff games. During the regular season, Archer registered one assist and 24 penalty minutes in 16 games.

Yann Danis was signed as a free agent in March 2004. He joined the Canadiens after a four-year stay in the NCAA, playing for Brown University. Born in St-Jérome, Québec, Danis completed last season, his third full campaign, with the Hamilton Bulldogs. In 2006-07, the 26-year-old recorded 23 wins, 14 losses and one shutout, posting a .905 save percentage and a 2.81 goals-against average in 44 regular-season contests. The netminder also contributed to the team’s Calder Cup Championship, recording a win in his only post-season appearance. Danis played six games for the Canadiens in 2005-06, posting a 2.69 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and earning a 3-2-0-0 record.

Duncan Milroy was the Canadiens’ second-round selection (37th overall) at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, the Edmonton native led the Bulldogs in goals (25) and points (58), adding 33 assists in 64 games. The 24-year-old also helped the team to a Calder Cup Championship, chipping in with 13 points (2 goals and 11 assists) in 22 games. It was the right winger’s fourth season with the Canadiens’ farm club.

In 2006-07, his third season in Hamilton, Corey Locke amassed 55 points (20 goals and 35 assists) in 80 regular-season games, before contributing to the team’s championship by posting 22 points (10 goals and 12 assists) in as many playoff games. A fourth-round selection (113th overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, the centreman also participated at the 2006 AHL All-Star game.

[bengino]

i'm kinda hoping that either Milroy or Locke (or both) make the big club this season.

[Unforgiven]

I'm kinda hoping Gainey gets replaced with a retarded monkey. I'm confident said monkey could do a better job.

[DaveBrown69]

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

I'm kinda hoping Gainey gets replaced with a retarded monkey. I'm confident said monkey could do a better job.

LOL. He's a Montreal icon though. I thought.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by DaveBrown69

LOL. He's a Montreal icon though. I thought.

well, he's done some real bone headed move this off season... everyone initially believed they would draft Angelo Esposito if he was available, they passed him over. He failed to re-sign Sheldon Souray, instead bringing in subpar talent such as Roman Hamrlik, Bryan Smolinski, Tom Kotsopoulos and Jamie Rivers. Nothing really impressive there overall.

[mongoose]

esposito is soft.