Montreal Canadiens send forward Tim Bozon back to his junior team

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens assigned forward Tim Bozon to the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League on Friday.

Bozon took part in the Canadiens' rookie camp and main camp before being assigned to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton on Sept. 28. The 20-year-old has made a lot of progress since spending four weeks in hospital last March to recover from a bout of meningitis that nearly cost him his life.

“Tim Bozon has come a long way," Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said in a release. "He fought a life-threatening disease with courage and determination and we are pleased with what he accomplished in the last few months. He was able to take part in the rookie camp, the Canadiens’ official camp and the Hamilton Bulldogs training camp.

"However, with his progression having been diminished due to illness, we feel that one of the priorities for his long-term development is for him to fully regain his physical strength. We believe that joining the Kootenay Ice in the WHL is the right decision at this time as it will allow Tim to fully recover."

Bozon had 69 points (33 goals, 36 assists) in 63 WHL games last season.