PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Monday the signing of defenseman Jeff Woywitka to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2011-12 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.In 2010-11, Woywitka recorded 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 63 games with the Dallas Stars. One of his goals was tallied on the powerplay. He maintained a +5 plus/minus differential, the team’s fifth best and served 24 penalty minutes. Woywitka added 72 shots on goal and blocked 97 shots.Since the 2005-06 season, Woywitka, 27, has played 251 career regular season games in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and the Stars. He has registered 49 points (8 goals, 41 assists) and 141 penalty minutes. He suited up for four playoff contests with the Blues in 2008-09.Since his professional debut in 2003-04, the 6’03’’, 227 lbs defenseman appeared in 315 career regular season games in the American Hockey League, registering 124 points (21 goals, 103 assists) and 291 penalty minutes.In four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, Woywitka collected 140 points (41 goals, 99 assists) in 268 contests. In 2002-03, he was named to the WHL East Division First All-Star Team and on the CHL Third All-Star Team, while being the recipient of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the defenseman of the year in the WHL. He helped Team Canada capturing the silver medal at the 2003 World Junior Championship, registering two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in six games.A native of Vermilion, Alberta, Woywitka was drafted in the first round, 27th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Stars as a free agent on July 7, 2009.