Canadiens ink C Plekanec to two-year deal

Jul 6, 2007 - 3:20 AM MONTREAL (Ticker) - Tomas Plekanec's career season was rewarded by the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens on Thursday signed the 24-year-old center to a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

In his second full NHL season, Plekanec established career bests in numerous categories, including goals (20), assists (27), points (47) and power-play points (14) while appearing in a career-high 81 games.

"Tomas Plekanec proved to be one of our most consistent players last season," Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said. "He established career highs in all categories and his defensive play was extremely efficient. He is young, dynamic and we strongly believe he is ready to take on more responsibilities with our club."

A third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2001, Plekanec has notched 29 goals and 76 points in 150 career games.

Montreal also added some depth on the blue line Thursday, re-signing Mathieu Biron and inking fellow defenseman Jamie Rivers to one-year deals.

Drafted 21st overall by Los Angeles in 1998, Biron was acquired from San Jose on December 15 but spent the entire 2006-07 season in the American Hockey League. The 27-year-old notched three goals and 15 assists in 24 games with Worcester before recording seven tallies and 21 points in 53 contests with Hamilton.

In 253 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals, Biron has collected 12 goals and 32 assists.

Rivers, 32, appeared in 31 games with St. Louis this past campaign, registering one goal, three assists and 36 penalty minutes. He added four tallies and 23 points in 30 contests with Peoria of the AHL.

A third-round pick of St. Louis in 1993, the Ottawa native has amassed 17 goals and 49 assists in 454 career games with the Blues, Islanders, Senators, Boston Bruins, Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes.

In other moves, Montreal signed center Cory Urquhart and free-agent defenseman Marvin Degon to one-year contracts.

Urquhart, 22, had 17 points - including five goals - in 30 games with Hamilton last season. A second-round pick of the Canadiens in 2003, he also recorded 18 tallies and 40 points in 43 contests with Cincinnati of the ECHL.

The 24-year-old Degon was a member of the New York Rangers' organization in 2006-07, registering eight points and 34 points in 71 games with Hartford of the AHL.