While netminder Connor Hughes is still nursing an injury that had ruled him out for two to four weeks in the first week of April, he’s still a member of the Montreal Canadiens’ organization. Yet, the Lausanne Hockey Club of the Swiss League announced it had put pen to paper with the goaltender on a five-year contract.
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The timing of the announcement is strange, to say the least. After all, Hughes is currently on the Laval Rocket injured list, and the team is in the midst of the AHL playoffs. While there had already been rumblings of his desire to return to Europe, there was no rush to make this announcement.
Hughes was playing with the Lausanne Lions in 2023-24 when he caught the Habs brass’ attention, and Kent Hughes signed him to a one-year pact. A year later, after 29 games in the AHL in which he kept a 15-12-2 record with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage, the keeper has decided to call time on his stay in North America.
The 28-year-old was born in London, Ontario, but he left for Switzerland for the 2017-18 season. He then played for six different teams in 10 years, his best campaign being with the Lions in 2023-24 when he finished the year with a 1.73 GAA and a .940 SP.
There wouldn’t have been much room for the goaltender to get a number one role in the Canadiens’ organization next season, and his decision to move on is understandable. Still, one thing’s for sure: with this confirmation, even if he is healthy again, he won’t get back in the net for the Rocket unless, of course, other injuries occur.
For now, it looks like Jacob Fowler’s net to lose, and if he does, Cayden Primeau will be more than happy to take back over. The latter played a massive role in the AHL team making the playoffs, but the former has signed the team’s three wins in the postseason.
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