Josh Gorges inks one-year deal

Friday, 22.07.2011 / 9:58 PM / News
canadiens.com
PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced tonight the signing of defenseman Josh Gorges to a one-year contract (2011-12). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

A true warrior
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Josh Gorges for the 2011-12 season. He is a very reliable defenseman for our club. Josh is recovering extremely well from his knee injury that kept him out of the line-up for half of the regular season and the playoffs, and we look forward to seeing him at training camp,” said Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier.

Gorges, 26, completed his sixth season with the Canadiens in the NHL in 2010-11. The defenseman registered seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 36 games. He served 18 penalty minutes and averaged 21:10 seconds of ice time per game. Gorges suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee on December 26 at Long Island.

Since his NHL debuts in 2005-06, Gorges has registered 59 points (9 goals, 50 assists) in 364 regular-season games. The 6’1’’, 200 lbs defenseman has recorded 183 penalty minutes and maintained a +12 plus/minus differential. Gorges has scored three of his goals on the powerplay. He has accumulated seven assists (0-7-7) in 46 career playoff contests.

A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Gorges first signed with the San Jose Sharks as a free agent on September 20, 2002. He was acquired by the Canadiens from San Jose on February 25, 2007.

(Photo: Bernard Brault/La Presse)