On Tuesday, Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced that the Canadiens had come to terms on a 2 year contract with newly-acquired goaltender Cristobal Huet, avoiding salary arbitration with the netminder. As per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
Huet was acquired on draft day along with recently re-signed C Radek Bonk from the LA Kings in exchange for backup goaltender Mathieu Garon.
Last season, Huet blossomed into a quality NHL netminder, appearing in a career-high 41 games, posting a 10-16-10 record, with a 2.43 GAA and a team leading .907 save percentage. He also had 3 shutouts. In his brief NHL career, Huet has played in 53 games, compiling a 14-20-11 record, with a 2.41 GAA, a .908 save percentage, and 4 shutouts.
Huet was originally selected in 2001 by Los Angeles in the 7th round, 214th overall as an overager. Prior to being drafted, Huet, the first ever France-born netminder to play in the NHL, played in Grenoble, France, and Lugano of the Swiss Elite League. He, unlike many other NHL netminders, has also appeared in the last 2 Winter Olympic Games, serving as France’s #1 netminder in both 1998 and 2002.
Huet is expected to serve as the Habs backup goalie to incumbent Jose Theodore this coming season, while Yann Danis hones his skills in the minors.
Did you know? There is a fan site dedicated to Cristobal Huet. You can find it by going to
http://www.cristobalhuet.com