PRESS RELEASE

MONTRÉAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Monday the signing of free agent defenseman Francis Bouillon to a one-year contract (2012-13). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Bouillon, 36, collected 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 66 games with the Nashville Predators in 2011-12.The rearguard served 33 penalty minutes, registered 103 hits and 65 blocked shots, while averaging 17:32 of ice time per game. Bouillon missed 15 games due to injuries.

Since his NHL debut in 1999-00, Bouillon has recorded 134 points (29 goals, 105 assists) in 676 NHL regular-season games. The 5’8’’, 198 lbs forward scored seven of his goals on the powerplay, one on the penalty kill and added seven game-winning goals. Bouillon has served 481 penalty minutes. He amassed nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 41 career NHL playoff contests.

Bouillon first signed with the Canadiens as a free agent on August 18, 1998. He was a member of the organization from 1998-99 to 2008-09. In 481 career games with the Canadiens he collected 102 points (21 goals, 81 assists) and served 369 penalty minutes.