Maxim Lapierre

If you have read my mini-bio, you'll know that I have a soft spot for hard players. I love the guys that do their best work along the boards or in front of the net. If you stretch, dive, get hit, hit back and skate hard - you've made my good books.

Last night no one epitomized that type of player more than Maxim Lapierre.

As reported by CKAC on the weekend, the Canadiens have signed Maxim Lapierre to a new two-year contract.

Lapierre will make
$575,000 this season and $800,000 in 2009-'10.

These are modest, cap-friendly numbers for the Canadiens.

Lapierre has just completed a three-year deal that paid $625,000 in his first pro season, followed by $562,000 each of the last two seasons.

Lots of money left over in the kitty for AK46 and Josh Gorges.

The Canadiens today announced that they have recalled forward Maxim Lapierre and defenceman Ryan O'Byrne from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

The team also announced that Mikhail Grabovski has been sent to Hamilton to make room on the roster for Lapierre and O'Byrne.

This is from the team's official release:

Lapierre, 22, ranks second in scoring with the Bulldogs with 14 points in 19 games (seven goals, seven assists). He is a plus-2 with 63 penalty minutes.

O'Byrne, 23, collected eight points in 18 games (two goals, six assists). He is a plus-4 with 43 penalty minutes.

Grabovski, 23, played in 12 games for the Canadiens this season. He recorded two points (one goal, one assist).