Canadiens add forward Flinn

The Montreal Canadiens, parent club of the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, have announced the signing of free agent forward Ryan Flinn to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2008-09 season.

Flinn, 28, will be entering his eighth professional campaign. In 2007-08, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native notched one point (an assist) and 82 penalty minutes in 24 games with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons before being loaned by the Falcons’ NHL affiliate, the Edmonton Oilers, to the Hershey Bears on Jan. 23.

In 17 games with the Bears, Flinn produced three goals and 53 penalty minutes to finish the year with a combined total of four points (3-1-4) and 135 penalty minutes.

Since turning professional in 2001-02, the 6-5, 230-pound left-winger has competed in 254 regular-season AHL tilts with Manchester, San Antonio, Springfield, and Hershey, totaling 26 points (11-15-26) and 823 penalty minutes.

Flinn has also skated in 31 regular-season NHL contests with the Los Angeles Kings, registering one point (a goal) and 84 penalty minutes.

He was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1998.