Habs acquire Doug Janik in exchange for Steve Bégin

PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL--  Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced Thursday the acquisition of defenseman Doug Janik from the Dallas Stars, in return for forward Steve Bégin.

“Throughout his five seasons in the Montreal Canadiens’ jersey Steve Bégin has been a proud competitor who dedicated himself to the team. As an organization, we are grateful to Steve for his play on the ice as well as his involvement in the Quebec community. We wish Steve the very best with the Dallas Stars. Doug Janik is a solid defenseman who brings 159 games of experience at the NHL level and who will add depth to our group of defensemen.”

Janik, 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds, recorded one point (one assist) and served two penalty minutes in 13 games with Dallas this season. Drafted in the second round by Buffalo, 55th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Janik amassed 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) with 121 penalty minutes in six NHL seasons with Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Dallas. The 28-year-old defenseman signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent on July 6, 2006. Janik will join the Canadiens’ farm team in Hamilton (AHL) provided he clears waivers by Saturday at noon.

Bégin, 30, registered 10 points (six goals, four assists) with 27 penalty minutes in 42 games with the Canadiens this season. The left-winger, claimed by the Canadiens from the Sabres on waivers on October 3, 2003, also played in the NHL with the Calgary Flames from 1997-98 to 2002-03.


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