MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Canadiens laid off an unspecified number of employees on Thursday, more than a week after the NHL season was cancelled due to the lockout.
Team spokesman Dominick Saillant would not disclose how many of the team's 140 full-time employees were let go. Communications co-ordinator Frederic Daigle was among those laid off.
"It's a sad day for the Canadiens organization," team president Pierre Boivin said in a statement. "We were forced to let go some loyal employees due to an ongoing labour dispute.
"We offered them support and will help them the best we can in their search for a new job."
The employees were given severance packages.
Before the layoffs, the Canadiens had lost 30 employees since the start of the season through attrition. All employees, including management, were put on a four-day work week when the lockout began in September.
Teams around the league have made different choices in the face of the lockout, some laying off staff in September and others reducing work weeks. More layoffs are expected around the league.
Note: Habs defenceman Mike Komisarek has begun practising with the Hamilton Bulldogs and may be ready to play in two weeks. Komisarek has been on rehab from hip surgery all season.