The Montreal Canadiens have announced the signing of 2012 third-round pick Tim Bozon to a 3-year standard entry-level contract. Bozon will likely continue his junior career next year with the Kamloops Blazers. Here is the team’s official release.
Press Release:
MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday the signing of forward Tim Bozon to a three-year contract (2013-14 to 2015-16). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
In 69 games with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers in 2012-13, Bozon collected 91 points (36 goals, 55 assists). He scored 14 of his goals on the powerplay and added two shorthanded tallies. He ranked second on his team in goals (tied with J.C. Lipon) and points, while finishing third in assists. Bozon served 58 penalty minutes and led his team with a +37 plus/minus differential. He added six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in eight playoff contests. He completed his season by suiting up for Team France at the IIHF World Championship presented simultaneously in Stockholm and Helsinki, notching one helper in five games.
Bozon, 19, has recorded 162 points (72 goals, 90 assists) in 140 games in two seasons with Kamloops. The 6’01” and 185 lbs forward has served 98 penalty minutes and displays a +64 plus/minus differential.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Bozon was selected in the third round, 64th overall by the Canadiens at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He took part in the second part of the Canadiens’ development camp in June 2012.
In other news, according to a report in the Journal de Montreal, Michael Ryder’s agent has indicated that his client will not re-sign with the club because Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has decided he’s not in the team’s long-term plans. Ryder was acquired from the Dallas Stars early in the season in exchange for Erik Cole and a 3rd round pick, and performed well at first, far eclipsing Cole’s point and goal totals and providing a sniper for the team’s powerplay. The former Calder Trophy runner-up in his first stint with the club cooled off late in the season, however, and was a virtual non-factor in the playoffs. Considering Bergevin’s obsession with character, it’s not particularly surprising that a guy who often drifts when he doesn’t have the puck won’t be retained.
The Canadiens will likely look for a replacement with a little more size like a David Clarkson or a Nathan Horton, although the team may also look to spend much of its cap space on a top-4 defenseman. More to come.
