Montreal Canadiens' Alexei Emelin (74) checks Winnipeg Jets' Chris Thorburn (22) into the boards during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, February 5, 2012.CHRISTINNE MUSCHI/Reuters
The Montreal Canadiens have agreed to a two-year contract extension with Alexei Emelin.
The six-foot-two, 219-pound defenceman had three goals and four assists in 67 games for the Habs last season.
Emelin, 26, led Montreal with 236 hits, ranking first among rookie defencemen and fourth in the NHL.
Emelin also helped Russia win gold at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in May.
He drafted by the Canadiens 84th overall in 2004 but elected to play in Europe until last season.