Rafael Diaz signed by Habs

Friday, 13.05.2011 / 9:00 AM / News
canadiens.com
press release

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Friday the signing of free agent defenseman Raphael Diaz to a one-year, two-way contract (2011-12). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Raphael Diaz, who we strongly believe has all the attributes to play in the NHL. Raphael is a defenseman with excellent offensive and defensive skills, who constantly improved his play over the years. We look forward to seeing him at training camp,” said Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier.

Diaz registered 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 45 games with EV Zug in 2010-11. Diaz, 25, displayed a +14 plus/minus differential and served 26 penalty minutes.

In eight complete seasons with EV Zug, the 5’11’’, 194 lbs defenseman totaled 118 points (33 goals, 85 assists) with 212 penalty minutes in 352 games.

Diaz, who is part of the Swiss team at the 2011 World Championship in Slovakia, collected four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in six games. He maintained a +3 plus/minus differential, while playing 20:52 in average per game.

A native of Baar, Switzerland, Diaz played for EV Zug (junior) from 2001-02 to 2003-04. He was part of the Swiss team at the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Championships, and at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.