Riley Kidney had a very strong season with Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL and on Wednesday, he was rewarded for his efforts as the Habs signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract. The breakdown of the deal is as follows:
2022-23: $750,000 salary, $92,500 signing bonus, $80,000 AHL salary, $82,500 performance bonuses (GP)
2023-24: $775,000 salary, $92,500 signing bonus, $80,000 AHL salary, $57,500 performance bonuses (GP)
2024-25: $775,000 salary, $92,500 signing bonus, $80,000 AHL salary, $57,500 performance bonuses (GP)
The 19-year-old centre was a second-round pick of the Canadiens last year (63rd overall) on the heels of a dominant performance for the Titan in the playoffs that saw him pick up 17 points in just nine games. He was able to pick up where he left off this season, notching 30 goals and 70 assists in 66 games, good for seventh in the QMJHL in scoring.
Kidney becomes the second player from Montreal’s 2021 draft class to sign an entry-level deal, joining fifth-rounder Joshua Roy who led the QMJHL in scoring. He was ranked 12th in our annual prospect rankings series this season and with the year he had, he’ll have a chance to crack the top ten next year. He’ll be too young to play full-time in Laval in 2022-23 so he will either have to make Montreal’s roster or return to junior.
Kidney’s Stats: