Former Habs, Where are They Now?

Written by Steven Ellis, AllHabs.net

OAKVILLE, ON. –Have you ever wondered where former Habs are playing these days? I know I do.

Just a few weeks ago, I saw a former Hab draft pick in the news. David Fischer. Remember him? The guy picked ahead of Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand and Mathieu Perreault?

Here’s the lowdown on what’s happening with some former Canadiens:

David Fischer: (Drafted by Montreal 20th overall, 2006 entry draft) Fischer was recently signed to the Houston Aeros to a professional tryout contract — three days later, he was released. Fischer was invited to the Vancouver Canucks prospect camp after not being signed by the Canadiens in 2010. He was let go by the Canucks two weeks later. He currently plays with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.

 Jan Bulis: (Played five seasons with the Montreal Canadiens) Bulis was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Richard Zednik and a first round selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft ( that turned out to be Alexander Perezhogin) in exchange for Trevor Linden, Dainius Zubrus, and a second round selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He played one season with the Vancouver Canucks, a year many called his best, and signed with Khimik Moscow Oblast of the newly formed Kontinental Hockey League.

Cristobal Huet: (Named to play in the NHL All-Star Game as a member of the Habs In 2007) Huet played great during his tenure with the Habs, coming to the team as a virtually unknown prospect from France in a trade with L.A, moving Mathieu Garon to Hollywood. Huet outplayed Jose Theodore during the 2005-2006 season, a big reason why Theodore was traded to Colorado. The Canadiens traded Huet to the Washington Capitals for a 2nd round selection in 2009, as the Habs felt Carey Price was ready. Huet went on to play very well for the Capitals, but signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008. After two decent seasons with the team stats wise, he was loaned to the HC Fribourg-Gotteron SA of the Swiss National League A, in favor of much cheaper Antti Niemi. Huet will likely not play in the NHL again, which I find quite disappointing.

Alex Kovalev: (Top scorer on the Habs in 2007-2008, totaling 84 points) Kovalev, like him or not, was a great addition to the team. Yes, he didn’t always give his full heart into every shift, but after earning 264 points in 314 games, he definitely has a lot of talent. After four years with the team, he signed a two year deal with the Senators, but was traded in his second year to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a seventh, yes seventh, round draft pick. After 20 games and seven points with the Pens, he was released, and signed with the  Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Alexander Perezhogin: (Drafted by Montreal 25th Overall, 2001 entry draft) “Perez” never really amounted to anything during his 128 games with the Habs, totaling only 34 points. Perezhogin played 88 games in the AHL for the Hamilton Bulldogs, getting 52 points. During a 2004 AHL Playoff game, Perezhogin swung his stick, purposely hitting current Bulldog Garrett Stafford in the face, causing him to convulse.  Perezhogin was suspended for the rest of the playoffs, and in an unprecedented move for the entire following AHL season of 2004–05. Perezhogin was also charged by Hamilton Police Service, and was given a one year probation, ordered to donate $5,000 to charity, and to cover all of Stafford’s medical bills. He would sign with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL, playing there for the next three years. He currently plays with Avangard Omsk, also of the KHL.

Craig Rivet: (Drafted by Montreal 68th overall, 1992 entry draft) Rivet was never known as an offensive defenseman. He never totaled more than 35 points during his 16 year NHL career. Rivet, who was an Alternate captain to Saku Koivu for nine seasons, was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2007 for Josh Gorges and a first round draft pick in 2007, that would turn out to be Max Pacioretty. His most memorable Montreal moment may be him getting traded. After a few seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres (captain for both teams) and the Columbus Blue Jackets,  Rivet signed a deal with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL. Thank you, Mr. Rivet.

Jason Ward:  (Drafted by Montreal 11th overall, 1997 entry draft) Fan favorite in Hamilton, Ward currently plays with EHC Black Wings Linz in the Austrian Hockey League.

Richard Zednik:  (Scored 50 Points twice with Montreal, top NHL point totals of his career) Most recently played with  AIK IF of  Elitserien. Currently a free agent.

Patrice Brisebois: (Played with the Canadiens through two stints) Retired NHL defenceman, currently a part time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driver.

Pierre Dagenais: (Drafted twice by the exact same team, New Jersey) After only two seasons with Montreal, Dagenais fled to Finland. He currently plays for Akwesasne Warriors of the Federal Hockey League.

Sergei Samsonov: (Placed on waivers the same year he signed a two-year contract worth $7.05 million) Former Calder Trophy winner for top Rookie, Samsonov is currently a free agent. Most recently played with the Florida Panthers.

Janne Niinimaa: (Traded by Dallas to Montreal for Mike Ribeiro) Only played 41 games for the Habs, earning three assists.Niinimaa currently plays for the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in the Swiss National League A.

Radek Bonk: (Traded from Ottawa to L.A, then traded to Montreal very same day) Bonk, a grinder with the Habs, never had more than 23 points with the Habs (70 in 2001-2002 with Ottawa.)  He is currently playing for Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga.

Glen Metropolit: (Undrafted journeyman grinder) On August 2, 2010, Metropolit left the NHL as a free agent and signed a two-year contract to return the Swiss NLA with EV Zug, where he currently plays. Played on 8 teams in 407 games.

Patrick Traverse: (traded to the San Jose Sharks on December 18, 2006, in exchange for Mathieu Biron) He  frequently played in the AHL in between NHL stints.  He is currently playing for the Hamburg Freezers in Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

Thank you very much to The Hockey News and Wikipedia for providing information on these former Habs. It was fun learning where these players currently play, because once you’re out of the NHL, there is almost no North American spotlight on you.

My question to you: What non-retired ex-Canadien do you miss the most?

Follow me on Twitter, @StevenEllisNHL.