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When Karl Alzner stepped up to the podium to meet the media before the start of the Canadiens’ golf tournament Monday morning at Laval-sur-le-Lac, a couple of journalists could be overheard whispering: “Who’s that?”

They probably weren’t the only ones.

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After nine seasons with the Washington Capitals, the bearded 28-year-old defenceman should quickly become recognizable around Montreal after the Canadiens hit the ice for the first time at training camp Friday in Brossard following physical testing Thursday. Alzner was general manager Marc Bergevin’s biggest free-agent signing this summer, agreeing to a five-year deal worth US$23.125 million.

Alzner doesn’t play a type of game that makes him stand out, with only 19 goals in 591 career regular-season games. But there’s a reason why the Capitals selected him with the No. 5 overall pick at the 2007 NHL Draft. That’s the same year the Canadiens had two first-round picks and took Ryan McDonagh at No. 12 and Max Pacioretty at No. 22. The Canadiens also selected P.K. Subban in the second round with the No. 43 pick.