JL

Aug 15, 2008, 10:30 AM EDT

PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL - Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Friday the signing of defenseman Yannick Weber to a three-year contract (2008-09 to 2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Weber, who hails from Morges, Switzerland, completed his second season with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers in 2007-08. Last season, the 19-year-old was the Rangers’ top defenseman with 55 points (20 goals and 35 assists) in 59 games, posting a plus-7 rating along with 79 penalty minutes. Throughout his junior career in the OHL, Weber recorded 96 points (33 goals, 63 assists), served 121 penalty minutes and posted a plus-12 rating in 110 games.

Last season, Weber was instrumental in helping the Rangers win the OHL championship, recording 17 points (four goals and 13 assists) in as many playoff games before leading his team to the Memorial Cup Final.

Voted to the OHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2007-08, Weber was selected Top Offensive Defenseman last season with the Kitchener Rangers and received CHL Player of the Week honors during the month of October after tallying eight points (five goals, three assists) in three games.

Weber also captained the Swiss National Team at the 2008 World Junior Championship presented in the Czech Republic. He registered six points (two goals, four assists) in as many games and served 14 penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-11, 191-pound Weber was the Canadiens’ third-round selection, 73rd overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Canadiens.com

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"Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.