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MONTREAL – Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Thursday the signing of forward Francis Lemieux to a three-year contract. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Signed by the Hamilton Bulldogs as a free agent in the summer of 2005, Lemieux, 21, is playing in his first season in the AHL. In 23 games, the Sherbrooke native has notched five goals and eight assists for a total of 13 points. He has a plus-2 differential and has picked up 23 penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound centre was invited to the Canadiens' training camp but did not take part in any preseason games. Lemieux played in all four games in the rookie tournament in Ottawa, recording a goal and an assist.

In the junior ranks, Lemieux played four full seasons (2001-2005) with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, where he scored 99 goals and 151 assists (250 points) in 272 games. He had his best season in 2004-05, when he scored 32 goals and 50 assists (82 points) in 70 games. In the QMJHL playoffs, he registered 10 goals and 19 points in 38 contests.


Francis Lemieux, a Sherbrooke native, is playing in his first season in the AHL.