The Canadiens have landed a top line goal scoring center. While Mike Cammalleri is but 5′ 9” tall and 180 lbs, he packs some punch. A player in constant progression, Cammalleri scored 39 goals with Calgary last season. One of the younger free agents available at age 27, Cammalleri has signed on for five seasons at $6M per year. Below are the player’s statistics from Hockey Database and his bio from Legends of Hockey.
Mike Cammalleri was born June 8, 1982 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The second round choice, 49th overall selection of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Cammalleri played collegiate hockey at the University of Michigan.
The speedy centreman from Richmond Hill spent three seasons at Michigan, where he captured numerous honours including; First Team CCHA All-Star (2001), NCAA West Second Team All-American (2001), Second Team CCHA All-Star (2002), NCAA West First Team All-American (2002) and was a two-time silver medalist with Canada’s World Junior Team (2001-2002).
Following three stellar years at Michigan, Cammalleri decided to forgo his Senior year and sign with the Kings. In his first professional season the former Wolverine played in only 41 games, 28 of those games with Los Angeles and 13 with the team’s AHL affiliate in Manchester. After tallying 20 points in 13 games in the AHL Cammalleri joined the Kings and saw his season come to an end after suffering a concussion.
Cammalleri would return from his injury to split the next few seasons with the Kings and the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. In 2005-06 he became a regular in the Los Angeles Kings line-up appearing in 80 games. Cammalleri would return from his injury to split the next few seasons with the Kings and the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. In 2005-06 he became a regular in the Los Angeles Kings line-up appearing in 80 games. The following season Cammalleri set career highs in goals (34), assists (46) and points (80) but found himself on the move after the Kings failed to reach the post-season once again. The move sent the Richmond Hill native to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Calgary’s 1st round choice in the 2008 Entry Draft and the club’s 2nd round choice in the 2009 Entry Draft.
On the international stage, Cammalleri captured a gold-medal representing his homeland at the 2007 World Championships.
