Habs ink NCAA free agent Hunter Bishop

From Canadiens.com:

Montreal Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier announced Thursday the signing of free agent forward Hunter Bishop to a two-year contract (2010-11 and 2011-12). He will report to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Monday.

Bishop, 22, a 6’, 196 lbs forward native of Fairbanks, Alaska ranked fourth in scoring in his second season with the NCAA Ohio State Buckeyes this season. He registered 27 points in 33 games (15 goals, 12 assists). He ranked third in goals and had 22 penalty minutes. In his sophomore season with Ohio State in 2008-09, Bishop ranked third in scoring with 31 points in 42 games (14 goals, 17 assists).

From 2005 to 2008, Bishop registered a total of 177 points (93 goals, 84 assists) in 140 regular season games with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League), including a 97-point season (57-40-97) in 2007-08.

Bishop participated in the Canadiens’ development camp in 2009.

Habster:

Hunter Bishop's biggest asset is speed and a solid two way game. He has a solid hockey sense and for the most part, plays a smart game at both ends of the ice.

Bishop isn't a particularly physical player but will go to the net and into the corners without hesitation. His repertoire of shots is above average but still needs some improvement while his intial steps/foot speed can also improve over time.

He was assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs and may see some action in the last few regular season games before the AHL playoffs.

Projected future: Solid third line forward who could contribute the occasional goal.

Ten free agent collegians gaining NHL interest

In my opinion, Gustafsson is the most intriguing NCAA free agent in this group of players and should garner substantial interest from the NHL. If Trevor Timmins and his staff are "on the ball", then the Canadiens should consider signing Gustafsson and/or other college UFAs.

Give Brian Burke credit last year for signing quality NCAA UFAs like Tyler Bozak and Christian Hanson without giving up any NHL roster players or draft pick in return.....a "win-win" situation!!

Here is a excerpt from the Hockey's Future article by DJ Powers:

Erik Gustafsson, D, 21

Junior, Northern Michigan University

Gustafsson is one of two Swedish-born players on the Wildcats roster. After a successful rookie campaign two seasons ago, Gustafsson has continued to build on it and has become one of the CCHA’s most dominant two-way defensemen.

Gustafsson has appeared in 34 games thus far for Northern Michigan. He leads the Wildcats in scoring among blueliners with 28 points (three goals, 25 assists). Gustafsson also leads all CCHA defensemen in scoring. Twenty-two of his 28 points have come in league play.

Gustafsson is a smooth-skating defenseman who has tremendous awareness and hands. And his defensive abilities are equally as good. Though he is small in stature (5’11/208), Gustafsson is strong both with and without the puck. His added strength has made him more difficult to compete against in all three zones.

Last season, Gustafsson earned the CCHA’s Defensive Defenseman of the Year honor as well as an All-America West Team selection. He could potentially repeat both feats again this season.