The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed Swiss defenseman Raphael Diaz to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Diaz, 26, completed his first season with the Canadiens in the NHL in 2011-12, scoring three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 59 games, along with 30 penalty minutes, averaging 18 minutes of ice time per game. Diaz blocked 102 shots, ranking third among rookie defensemen in the NHL. He missed the team’s last 16 games of the season due to a season-ending groin injury.
A native of Baar, Switzerland, Diaz was part of the All-Rookie Team at NHL All-Star Weekend.
He first signed with the Canadiens as a free agent on May 13, 2011.