MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, announced on Monday the signing of free agent defenseman Ryan Johnston to a two-year, two-way contract (2015-16 to 2016-17).

In 38 regular season games with the Colgate University Raiders of the ECAC in 2014-15, the 5’10’’ and 177 lbs defenseman led all team defensemen in assists (14) and ranked tied for first in points (15). He registered 26 penalty minutes and displayed a +12 differential. Johnston registered 42 points (5 goals, 37 assists) in 110 regular season games in his three seasons with Colgate University, from 2012 to 2015.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Johnston played two seasons with the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). He totaled 113 points (28 goals, 85 assists) in 114 regular season games, including a 71-point season in 2011-12. The 23-year old defenseman took part in the Canadiens’ development camp last week.