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MONTREAL – Defenseman Andrei Markov is the first recipient of the Molson Cup for the 2005-06 season, as the Canadiens’ Player of the Month for October.

Markov collected 20 points in Molson Cup standings, receiving the honor for the first time of his career. He also becomes the first defenseman to win a Molson Cup segment since Vladimir Malakhov in February 1999 (31 segments). Markov finished just ahead of Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev and Jose Theodore, who has been the end-of-season Molson Cup recipient since 2000-01.

Markov, who has played in all 12 games so far this season, has two assists, including his set-up of Mike Ribeiro’s game-winning goal late in Montreal’s 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs on October 8 in Toronto.

The Russian blueliner leads all Canadiens defensemen with an average ice time of 25 minutes per game. He was named the game’s first star in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Rangers in New York, when he logged a season-high 31 minutes.

A presentation honoring the Molson Cup winner will take place prior to Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, at the Bell Centre.





Andrei Markov has led all Canadiens blueliners with an average of 25 minutes of ice time, including a season-high 31 minutes in New York on Oc.t 6