MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens have traded veteran forward Daniel Briere to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau and a fifth-round pick in 2015 draft.

The 36-year-old Briere, who is heading into the final year of his contract, recorded 13 goals and 12 assists in 69 games with the Canadiens last season.

Parenteau, 31, had 14 goals and 19 assists with Colorado.

The Boucherville, Que., native was selected 264th overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2001 NHL draft. Prior to joining the Avalanche, Parenteau suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

Briere, who has also played for Phoenix, Buffalo, and Philadelphia, joined the Canadiens as a free agent on July 4, 2013.

"I think for one year it was a great experience," Briere said of his time in Montreal. "What we did in the playoffs was pretty amazing. This is what I'll remember the most. I think sometimes certain coaches like certain players. I don't think it was anything personal. But my responsibilities that I had probably were a little lower than I had expected coming in. That's why I'm looking forward to a new chance in Colorado."

Briere said it was difficult to watch from the sidelines as a healthy scratch.

"It's tough watching your teammates going out there and sacrificing their body while you have to just watch," he said in an interview. "But I kept saying to myself good things are going to happen, just be a good team player. And I feel in a sense it's a little bit of what's happening today."

Parenteau said he happy to be returning to his home province.

"I think I'm at a stage of my career where I'm old enough to deal with all the pressure that comes with it," he told a conference call. "It's a pretty big deal for a kid, I'm pretty much playing in my hometown. . . It's a huge deal for me, my family, everyone that surrounds me."

He also thinks he's a good fit in Montreal.

"I'm pretty good friends with Brandon Prust and Dale Weise and David Desharnais," he said. "I'm not coming into a locker-room that I don't know anybody, so that makes it even more exciting for myself. It's a great challenge, it's a great opportunity and I'm going to make the best out of it."