HabsWorld.net -- 

As predicted by many, the Montreal Canadiens made a move with an eye on bolstering their defensive depth, signing blueliner Jeff Woywitka to a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. The deal guarantees him 650,000 dollars if he plays in the NHL.

Last season, Woywitka recorded 11 points in 63 games with the Dallas Stars while maintaining a +5 differential. The 6-feet-2, 224 pound Albertan also blocked 97 shots, distributed 43 hits and served 24 minutes in penalties.

A former first-round pick of the Flyers in 2001, the 27-year-old has played 251 career regular season games in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and the Stars, picking up 49 points and 141 penalty minutes in the process. In 2002-03, he won the Bill Hunter Trophy given to the WHL’s best defensemen.

Louis Moustakas is an editor at HabsWorld.net and works for the Coaching Association of Canada in Ottawa. He can be reached at [email protected].