BREAKING: Montreal Canadiens Confirms Another Contract Agreement With Top Star
The Montreal Canadiens have bolstered their goaltending depth for the upcoming 2024-25 season by signing Connor Hughes to a one-year, two-way contract.
Hughes, 27, has not previously held an NHL contract since going undrafted a decade ago. Hailing from London, Ontario, he spent his junior career playing in various leagues, notably the CCHL with the Carleton Place Canadians, where he emerged as one of the top Jr. A goaltenders in Canada during the 2016-17 season. His standout performance helped Carleton Place clinch the championship, earning him playoff MVP honors.
In the subsequent year, Hughes turned professional, signing with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland. After a few years primarily playing in the Swiss League’s second tier, he became a regular goaltender with HC Fribourg-Gotteron before moving to Lausanne for the 2023-24 season. There, he impressed with a league-best .940 save percentage, a 1.73 GAA, and two shutouts.
Notably, Hughes has represented both Canada and Switzerland in international hockey, participating in the 2022 Spengler Cup and making his Swiss national team debut in the same season.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with goalie Connor Hughes.
News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/18HVMs7aNb
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 4, 2024
For the 2024-25 season, Hughes is expected to join the Laval Rocket alongside 23-year-old Jakub Dobes, bringing his wealth of professional experience to North America for the first time.
While the Canadiens already have Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau signed to NHL contracts, as well as the rights to several other goaltenders, including Jacob Fowler, Evgeni Volokhin, and others, Hughes provides additional depth to their goaltending ranks, especially with Carey Price’s future in the NHL uncertain due to injuries.