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The Habs have made a splash in the free agent pool. Okay, not really. Bob Gainey announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Peter Vandermeer.

Vandermeer is a career AHL journeyman, noted for his toughness and grit. Don’t expect him to play any sort of role on the big club, however it is nice to know that there is some toughness in the organization in the form of Vandermeer.

At 29 years of age, Vandermeer is not a prospect by any means. He’s simply a small signing who provides some nice depth, and, if past moves by Bob Gainey are any indication, could be quite a pleasant surprise.

The 6’0″, 205lb left winger was previously part of the Red Wings organization. He put over 300 penalty minutes with their minor league affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, last season.

A native of Caroline, Alberta, he has never played an NHL game. Through 380 AHL games, he has tallied 43 goals.

Habs Sign Bouillon

Also, as expected, Francis Bouillon has been resigned by the CH. He will be on he big club this year, it’s just a matter of how much time he will see. With Ron Hainsey looking to charge into the lineup full time, the feisty, hardworking Bouillon could see his role cut down. However, as one of the most dedicated players on the club, a spot could be his to lose. Despite his small stature, he is a fairly solid guy to have back on the bottom pairing.

Pair of prospects inked for 3 years

Gainey also took to signing a pair of Hamilton Bulldog players, in RW Duncan Milroy and D Andrew Archer.  Milroy, 22, played 76 games with the Dogs last year, notching 15 goals and 18 assists, as well as 18 PIMS and a -2 rating.  Archer, also 22, played in 68 games in Steeltown, scoring a goal and 10 assists, with a +10 rating and 112 PIMS, the most of Hamilton d-men.