« Joe Sakic Retiring……. | Main | Joe Sakic Tribute Video »
Saku Koivu to the Anaheim Ducks…
By admin | July 8, 2009
Saku Koivu has officially severed his ties with the Montreal Canadiens, signing a one-year contract Wednesday with the Anaheim Ducks.
Koivu, who played 13 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, was an unrestricted free agent. He will earn US$3.25-million in 2009-10.
“Saku Koivu’s character and leadership qualities are unquestioned,” Bob Murray, the Ducks executive vice-president and general manager, said in a statement. “He is a skilled playmaker and we are thrilled to add him to our team.”
The 34-year-old centreman has scored 191 goals and 450 assists in 792 career NHL games.
The native of Turku, Finland will joins fellow Finn and long-time NHL star Teemu Selanne on the Ducks’ roster.
“I’m very excited to join the Ducks this coming season,” Koivu said. “I’m also looking forward to a full season with Teemu Selanne as a teammate.”
Koivu spent 10 seasons as the Canadiens’ captain, matching Jean Beliveau as the franchise’s longest-serving captain.
The two-time Olympian was the Canadiens’ first-round (21st overall) selection in the 1993 entry draft.
Koivu scored 16 goals and 34 assists in 65 games this past season, marking the eighth time in his career he scored 15 or more goals in a season.
Personally I am shocked he didn’t go play with his brother in Minnesota, but this is a good move for the Ducks. Only puts them in a better position to make a run at the Cup next season.
I am also pretty shocked that Saku Koivu will be in a jersey other than a Canandiens jersey. never though we would see that.
Topics: Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Saku Koivu |