The Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a two-year contract worth $1.55 million, that will see him get paid $750,000 in 2008-09 and $800,000 in 2009-10.
“Jaroslav has proven to be a quality NHL goaltender. He played very well for us when called upon over the past two seasons. He is young competitor with great skills and an excellent work ethic,'' said Canadiens general manger Bob Gainey.
Halak, 23, will begin his third season in the NHL this fall. In 2007-08, he played six games with the Canadiens, posting a 2-1-1 record, a 2.11 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. He played in 28 games with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, posted a 15-10-2 record, a 2.10 goals against average and maintained the AHL's second-best save percentage (.929).
A native of Bratislava, Slovakia, Halak was selected in the ninth round by the Canadiens, 271st overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played in a total of 22 career games in the NHL, posting a 12-7-1 record, a 2.71 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.