Official Canadiens press release:

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced today that forwards Nigel Dawes and Aaron Palushaj have been recalled from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Dawes and Palushaj will join the Canadiens, for tomorrow’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, at the Bell Centre.

Dawes, 26, played in nine games with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010-11, his fourth NHL season. The 5’09” and 200 lbs left winger recorded one assist while averaging 11:11 of time on ice. He played a total of 208 NHL career regular season games with the Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and Thrashers. He has registered 84 career points (39 goals, 45 assists) and 43 penalty minutes.

Dawes leads the Bulldogs with 54 points (33 goals, 21 assists) in 55 games this season. He ranks first on the team and in the AHL with 33 goals. Nine of his goals have been tallied on the power play and one while shorthanded. He displays a +7 plus/minus differential, has collected 169 shots on goal and served 17 penalty minutes.

Born in Winnipeg, Dawes was a fifth round pick, 149th selection overall, by the New York Rangers in 2003. He was acquired from the Thrashers, along with Brent Sopel, last February 24.

Palushaj, 21, ranks third on the Bulldogs with 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) in 57 games this season. Five of his goals have been tallied on the power play. The 5’11’’ and 177 lbs right winger is tied for first on the Bulldogs with a +15 plus/minus differential. He has registered 134 shots on goal and served 30 penalty minutes.

A native of Northville, Michigan, Palushaj was the St. Louis Blues’ fifth pick (second round, 44th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired from the Blues on March 2, 2010, in return for Matt D’Agostini.