Habs Report: Hughes’ Vision And Familiarity Helped Harris Sign

Newly signed Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jordan Harris met the Montreal traveling media for the first time Wednesday since signing his two-year, entry-level contract this past Saturday.

While the Canadiens’ third round pick (71st overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft didn’t flat out say his prior relationship with Habs general manager Kent Hughes prevented him from not signing with the Canadiens, it certainly helped instill confidence that becoming a Canadien was the right decision.

“The familiarity factor and honestly just throughout the talks, I was just really impressed with his hockey mind and his plan for the organization and what he had in mind for the future coming up,” Harris told reporters Wednesday. “I always knew he had a great hockey mind and relationship in hockey as an agent, but I’m truly impressed in his honesty in the way he saw my career, but also the Canadiens organization”

That being said, the allure of playing for a storied Original 6 franchise like the Montreal Canadiens always intrigued the 5-foot-11, 185-pound rearguard but Jordan Harris simply wanted to get his degree and try and win a National Championship with Northeastern University.

“How could you not? That was the plan the whole way, was to sign in Montreal after four years,” Harris said on the attraction to play for the Habs. “Getting my degree was very important to me and going back for that senior year. We had a great team at Northeastern and all my best friends were there. The only time where there was any time for reflection was during the time organization members got let go, but when they hired Kent, Jeff [Gorton] and Marty [St. Louis] it just seemed like a fantastic fit. Very fortunate that it worked out this way.”

Suzuki Gives Keepsake To Barron

Another rookie defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens, Justin Barron earned his first point in the Habs’ 7-4 loss to the Florida Panthers Tuesday night. Barron assisted on defensive partner Joel Edmundson’s first goal of the season 16:24 into the second period. Canadiens center Nick Suzuki made sure to get the puck for Barron.

“I’ll probably keep it with me, probably take it home to Halifax in the summer. It was definitely pretty special,” said Barron, who was acquired from Colorado at the trade deadline. “It was a pretty easy assist. Suzy did most of the work for me there, going end-to-end, and then Eddy had a great shot, so it was nice to get my first point out of the way.

Suzy kind of knew right away on the ice. He asked me if it was my first point, so he went and got the puck for me, which was awesome. The guys were kind of congratulating me in the second period and in the intermission as well, so it was pretty cool.”