Canadiens re-sign D O'Byrne

Jul 17, 2008 - 12:49 AM MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday re-signed defenseman Ryan O'Byrne, who made his NHL debut last season, to a three-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

O'Byrne, who turns 24 on Friday, played in 33 games for the Canadiens last season, recording a goal and six assists after being recalled from Hamilton of the American Hockey League.

"Ryan acquired a great deal of NHL experience last season," Montreal general manager Bob Gainey said. "He is part of our young core of defensemen and certainly has the potential of becoming a very good NHL player. He is big, intense and his physical play are important assets for our team."

The 6-5, 228-pound O'Byrne was picked by the Canadiens in the third round of the 2003 draft out of Cornell University.

In other moves Wednesday, Montreal signed defenseman 23-year-old Shawn Belle and right wing Mike Glumac to one-year contracts.

Acquired from Minnesota on Friday, Belle spent last season with Houston of the AHL, recording one goal, two assists and 74 penalty minutes. Drafted 30th overall by St. Louis in 2003, he made his NHL debut with the Wild in 2006-07, notching an assist in nine contests.

Glumac, 28, appeared in four games with the Blues in 2007-08 but spent most of the campaign with Peoria of the AHL, where he collected 21 goals and 28 assists in 75 contests.

In 40 games over parts of three seasons with St. Louis, Glumac has amassed seven goals, six assists and 38 penalty minutes.