The Hamilton Bulldogs announced on Thursday they have signed forward Steve Begin to an American Hockey League contract.
Begin, a 26-year-old native of Trois-Rivieres, Que., played in 52 games with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens last season, posting 15 points (10g, 5a) and 41 penalty minutes. During his career, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Begin has played in 175 NHL games and has tallied 33 points on 21 goals and 12 assists, along with 233 penalty minutes. Prior to last season, all of Begin’s NHL games were with the Calgary Flames.
During the 2000-01 season, Begin helped lead the AHL’s Saint John Flames to a Calder Cup championship. Begin played for current Bulldogs assistant coach Ron Wilson, who was then an assistant in Saint John, and won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the Calder Cup Playoffs’ Most Valuable Player. Begin scored 17 points (10G, 7A) in 19 playoff games during the Flames’ run to the Calder Cup championship.
Begin was originally claimed by the Montreal Canadiens, from the Buffalo Sabres, in the Waiver Draft on October 3, 2003.
Begin is expected join the Hamilton Bulldogs this weekend.
