Canadiens call up Marc-André Bergeron from the Hamilton Bulldogs

Sunday, 18.10.2009 / 5:41 PM / moves
Montreal Canadiens
PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced Sunday that defenseman Marc-André Bergeron has been recalled from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. The Canadiens also assigned defenseman Shawn Belle to the Bulldogs.

Bergeron, 29, joined the Canadiens as a free agent on October 6. He participated in the Bulldogs last three games, and currently leads the team in scoring with six points (six assists). He is posting a +6 plus/minus differential.

A native of Trois-Rivières, Québec, Bergeron played in 72 of the Minnesota Wild 82 regular-season games in 2008-09 recording 32 points (14 goals including seven on the powerplay, and 18 assists), was assessed 30 penalty minutes and had a +5 plus/minus rating with 16:58 average ice time per game. Half of Bergeron’s goal production came on the power play and he also tallied three game-winning goals.

The 5’9’’ and 198 lbs defenseman is entering his 8th NHL season having played 339 NHL games with Edmonton, NY Islanders, Anaheim and Minnesota. Bergeron recorded 160 points (62 goals, 98 assists), 161 penalty minutes and a +3 plus/minus rating with 36 tallies on the power play. In 2005-06 he reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Edmonton Oilers who fell to the Carolina Hurricanes. In 24 NHL career playoff games he has registered six points (3 goals, 3 assists).

Belle, 24, was called up from Hamilton on October 13. He suited up in the Canadiens’ first two home games. Belle also played three of the club’s seven pre-season games before being released on September 21. The 6’01’’, 240 lbs defenseman played in 60 games with the Bulldogs last season. He registered 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists), posted a +19 plus/minus differential and totalled 93 penalty minutes.