Leblanc and Engqvist recalled

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced Friday that forwards Andreas Engqvist and Louis Leblanc have been recalled from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Both players will be available for Saturday, March 3 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.

Assigned to the Bulldogs on February 1, the 6’01’’ and 201 lbs centre ranks first on the Bulldogs in scoring with 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 43 games this season. Eight of his goals were scored on the powerplay. Engqvist registered 100 shots on goal and 26 penalty minutes.

In 10 games with the Canadiens this season, Engqvist, 24, recorded four blocked shots and eight hits, while averaging 6:35 of ice time per game.

The Stockholm-born forward Engqvist signed with the Canadiens as a free agent on July 13, 2009.

Assigned to the Bulldogs on February 27, Leblanc posted 19 points (9 goals and 10 assists) in 27 games thus far with the Bulldogs this season. The 6’ and 184 lbs centre scored two of his goals on the powerplay. He added 96 shots on goal.

The 20-year old Pointe-Claire, Quebec native played 26 games with the Canadiens this season, including his first NHL game on November 30 against the Ducks in Anaheim. Leblanc recorded seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) including his first career NHL goal on December 15 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He registered 33 shots on goal, 42 hits and displayed a +2 plus/minus differential, while playing an average of 10 minutes and 26 seconds per game.

The Canadiens’ first round selection, 18th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Leblanc signed a 3-year contract with the Club on July 30, 2010.