Habs ink another NCAA free agent in D Brendon Nash

From Canadiens.com:

Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Tuesday the signing of free agent defenseman Brendon Nash to a two-year contract (2010-11 and 2011-12). Nash, who is currently completing his studies at Cornell University, plays with the Cornell Big Red in the ECAC of the NCAA.

Brendon Nash, who will turn 23 on Wednesday, March 31, is a 6’, 3’’, 206 lbs defenseman who hails from Kamloops, BC. In his last season at Cornell University in 2009-10 (team also includes his brother Riley), Nash led all team defensemen in scoring with 19 points in 33 games (2 goals, 17 assists). He also served 48 penalty minutes. Nash recorded a total of 67 points (8 goals, 59 assists) and 173 penalty minutes in four full seasons with the Big Red. He also led all team defensemen in points in each the past three seasons.

From 2004 to 2006, Nash registered 60 points (9 goals, 51 assists) in 112 regular season games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League).

Nash participated in the Canadiens’ development camp in 2009.

Here is how Hockey's Future views Brendan Nash's overall game:

Nash is a smart, offensive-minded defenseman who possesses a nice combination of size, mobility and puck skills. He uses his 6'3 frame and long reach to great advantage, particularly in protecting or stripping the puck. He's also not afraid to join the offensive play. Defensively, he is solid and keeps things pretty simple. Nash has great poise and patience with the puck, but what sets him apart from many young defensemen is in his timely passing ability, particularly on power plays. Though he skates quite well for a big man, Nash needs to work on having quicker feet. Developing speed and strength are two areas that will be paramount to his future success.

Cornell head coach Mike Schafer's comments on Nash: "With Sasha Pokulok and Ryan O'Byrne signing pro contracts last summer, Brendan had a lot of responsibilities as a freshman and he did a tremendous job. He logged as much ice time as we could possibly give him and played in all situations. It's just a matter of Brendan continuing to excel. We expect big things from him next year and I think he'll be one of the top defensemen in our league."