Canadiens re-sign Desjardins, Russell

The Montreal Canadiens, parent club of the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, announced Tuesday the signing of goaltender Cedrick Desjardins and forward Ryan Russell to a one-year, two-way contracts for the 2010-11 season.

Desjardins, 24, led all AHL goaltenders in 2009-10 with a 2.00 goals-against average in 47 games. He posted a 29-9-4 record, finishing fourth in the league in wins and second in shutouts (6). His 29 wins set a franchise record for the most in a season for a Bulldogs goaltender. He also ranked sixth in the AHL with a .919 save percentage.

In the postseason, Desjardins helped the Bulldogs reach the AHL’s Western Conference Finals, while posting a 6-4 record in 10 playoff games. He played in the AHL All-Star Classic in 2010 and was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. He also set a franchise record with the longest shutout streak by a Bulldogs goaltender (212:37 mins).

The 6-foot, 194-pound goaltender has played 90 career regular-season games in the AHL with the Bulldogs, posting a 49-27-5 record along with 10 shutouts.

Desjardins won the Kelly Cup with the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones in 2007-08 (Playoff MVP), and the Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts in 2006.

A native of Edmunston, N.B., Desjardins joined the Canadiens as a free agent on July 3, 2008.

Russell, 23, played in 74 games with the Bulldogs in 2009-10. He finished sixth on the team with 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists), and led the team with three shorthanded goals. Russell also maintained a plus-16 differential, added 149 shots on goal and served eight penalty minutes.

Russell added 12 points (7-5-12) in 19 playoff games, while posting a plus-5 rating.

The 5-foot-10, 174-pound center has totaled 79 points (41 goals, 38 assists) in 178 career regular-season games in the AHL with Hamilton.

A native of Caroline, Alta., Russell was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Canadiens in a transaction with the Rangers on May 31, 2007.