All Habs Headlines: Thursday May 10, 2012
On this day in hockey history… Habs Assistant Coach Randy Cunneyworth celebrates his 51st birthday today! Happy Birthday Randy!
ALL HABS HEADLINES
►Henry ditches ‘Dogs: The Hamilton Bulldogs will have a new captain for the 2012-’13 season. Alex Henry signed a one-year contract with the DEG Metro Stars (Düsseldorfer Eislauf Gemeinschaft) of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Henry began his second stint with the Bulldogs in the 2008-’09 season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound defenseman played 301 regular season games for the Bulldogs and two games for the Montreal Canadiens in the past four seasons.
“Alex Henry has plenty of experience and will help our young team. It can be for our DEG talents as a model. Henry has played together with Alexander Sulzer. With him we have also been informed. What we also like is that Alex Henry as new signing Michael Catenacci was captain of his team. It shows character and leadership qualities.” — Walter Köberle, DEG sports director
Read more: Alex Henry moves to Düsseldorf EC
►Koivu re-signs with Ducks: Former Canadiens captain Saku Koivu signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks for the 2012-13 season. Koivu just completed a campaign which he produced 11 goals and 27 assists in 74 games.
“[Koivu has] character and leadership on and off the ice. You can never have enough of that. Things didn’t go well this year. He’s a veteran who really believes it can work here and wants it to work here. He had an opportunity this year to jump ship and he didn’t want to. He wanted to stay and make it work. That’s a quality character guy. We need more of that.” — Ducks GM Bob Murray
Read more: Ducks bring back Koivu
►Gainey returns to Stars: Former Canadiens GM Bob Gainey will be joining the front office of the Dallas Stars as a consultant to GM Joe Nieuwendyk. Gainey left the Habs on March 29th in a mutually agreed decision with owner Geoff Molson.
“I do see it in a similar way to what I was doing with the Canadiens over the last two years. My scope will probably be broader with the Stars, but I see it as observing and familiarizing myself with the players and then hopefully offering some guidance that maybe others haven’t seen. I would like to be able to say, ‘I see this in a player,’ or ‘Maybe we could shape this player in this direction.’ Those are areas where I believe I can help.” — Bob Gainey
Read more: Gainey returning to Stars as front office consultant
►Robinson welcomes return? Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson may be interested in returning to the Canadiens as an assistant coach said his agent Don Cape. Robinson is an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils who await the winner of the Washington Capitals – New York Rangers playoff series. The Canadiens would have to wait until the end of the Devils season before seeking permission to talk to Robinson.
“Larry would like to return to Montreal because the right people are in place, the conditions are good and because it is the right job for him. We know Marc Bergevin and the Molson family, these are professional people. But it will be the next coach to determine if he wants Larry. Robinson enjoys working with young defencemen. I’m sure he would be able to bring a player like P.K. Subban to a new level.” — Don Cape
►Join us for the All Habs Draft Party: With the hiring of Marc Bergevin as the Canadiens new GM, Habs fans have already started to put last season behind them and are looking hopefully to the future. The NHL Entry Draft will be the first opportunity to see the Bergevin-led management team in action, and with the Habs scheduled to pick 3rd overall, it will be a major event.
This year marks the 4th Annual All Habs Hockey Party for the NHL Entry Draft. RSVP’ing with All Habs gives you VIP access which includes prime seating, drink specials, and discounted prices on menu items at McLean’s Pub!
► New at All Habs Hockey Magazine:
Habs Coaching Candidates: The Unusual Suspects
Remembering Nos Glorieux – 1986 Stanley Cup Parade
Happy Winner in Hockey Love Hurts Contest
Le CH : victime de sa réputation?
Focus on Draft-eligible Prospects from Czech Republic: Teams Russia, Germany
Focus on Draft-eligible Prospects from Czech Republic: Teams Canada, Finland
Focus on Draft-eligible Prospects from Czech Republic: Teams USA, Sweden
Habs GM Bergevin Sets Priorities: Trade Subban?