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Going into the season, for the first time in two years, the Montreal Canadiens were going to have a team in the American Hockey League solely to themselves. In 2002-03 they had split the Hamilton Bulldogs team with the Edmonton Oilers. But right before this season started, GM Bob Gainey came to an agreement with Tampa Bay to send up to four players to Hamilton.

The success of this year’s team was a major uncertainty, as the team had nine first-year pros at camp, with up to six rookies getting a regular shift at different points of the season. Also uncertain was the adjustment for new head coach, Doug Jarvis, but the team was able to shrug off all doubters as they were able to climb into first place in their division and remain there all season. With trades, injuries and call ups effecting the roster, Jarvis and company were able to keep the team competitive on a nightly basis.

This was also a chance for the Canadiens staff to get a much closer look at some of their recent first round picks, as Ron Hainsey, Marcel Hossa, Mike Komisarek, Alex Perezhogin and Chris Higgins were all on the team at one point or another this season. With the addition of first year players Duncan Milroy, Jonathan Ferland, Olivier Michaud, Andrew Archer, Christian Larrivee, and Yann Danis (2004, free agent), Coach Jarvis had his hands full of young talent that should define the Habs’ future a few years down the road. But the team was able to find success and ended up winning their division for the second year in a row, thanks to the big year for recently traded Josef Balej, a strong second year from Tomas Plekanec, the solid play of top defensive pairing, and the rookie duo of Chris Higgins and Alex Perezghogin.

In the playoffs, the Bulldogs have earned a first round bye for winning the North Division, and moved on to play the Cleveland Barons. After two games the series is tied at one game each.

Tomas Plekanec, C (2001, 71^st) Plekanec had a very impressive sophomore season in North America, as he improved on his first season’s totals, and was able to lead the team in scoring, which lead to him seeing two games in the NHL. After putting up 51 points last season including five points in the playoffs, Plekanec lead the team with 69 points this year including three points in two playoff games so far. Coach Jarvis was able to use Plekanec in all situations, and he scored many key goals but also helped keep them out of his own net with a solid defensive game. His nine game-winning goals, 207 shots on goal, and +21 all speak volumes for his level of play this season.

Alex Perezhogin, RW (2001, 25^th ) Perezhogin had some minor problems adjusting to North American hockey, but with the help of fellow countryman Alex Svitov, Perezhogin was able to overcome the language issues and find a way to put the puck in the net, as he finished the year fourth in rookie scoring in the AHL. As the season wore on, Perezhogin seemed to pick up the scoring pace, and was able to get his first ever hat trick in North America, which seemed to give him a lot of confidence for the rest of the season, and into the playoffs as he is tied for the team lead in points with three. His six power play goals led the team, and his +19 was third on the team, as he played on the top two lines for the season in all situations.

Chris Higgins, LW/C (2002, 14^th) Higgins may have been the team’s top rookie scorer if he had been able to play in a few more games, as he finished only two points behind Alex Perezhogin, and was sixth overall in rookie scoring for the AHL. After playing two seasons for the Yale Bulldogs of the ECAC, Higgins left the NCAA and decided it was time to turn pro and join the Canadiens at camp this summer. Things went so well for the young Higgins, he was able to earn himself a spot with the Habs at the start of the season, making the then 19-year-old one of the youngest players to play for the Habs since Olivier Michaud and Mike Ribeiro. His rookie season was a good one as he was fifth on the team in scoring, yet missed a small chunk of the season due to a head injury and his brief NHL duty.

Marcel Hossa, LW (2000, 16^th) Hossa started off the season with the Canadiens, but was unable to keep a spot in the roster, as he was sent back to Hamilton to work on his intensity and consistency. After a slow start in Hamilton, Hossa was able to pick things up and find his offensive game, as he seemed to benefit from the playing on the line with Tomas Plekanec at times. Many have questions about Hossa=s future with the team, as he has shown flashes of skill and also suffered through some long scoring droughts, but if he works hard and starts carrying or shooting the puck more, he should have more success in the near future.

Ron Hainsey, D (2000, 13^th) Hainsey also started off the season with the Montreal Canadiens, and even scored his first ever NHL goal, but was unable to maintain a spot in the roster, so he was sent back to Hamilton to work on his defensive and physical game. Offensively, Hainsey has been the trigger man for the Dogs power play, as they often look for his shot from the point, as this season he was successful providing offense, as he was second on the team in scoring for defensemen behind his partner Francois Beauchemin. But defensively he had a tough time showing improvement, although he was reliable and often got the job done, turnovers and a lack of physical play in the crease were trouble spots for him.

Jonathan Ferland, RW (2002, 212^th) Ferland was able to earn a spot with Hamilton, even though he could have played another season in the QMJHL, it was clear that Ferland could keep up with the faster, stronger players of the AHL. Although his offensive game wasn=t as flashy as the duo of Higgins and Perezhogin, Ferland was able to play in 70 games this year, and brought a solid physical presence to the third line. Next year Ferland should be looked to play more of an offensive role with the team, as he works well in the corners and drives to the net hard.

Rene Vydareny, D (2004 via trade) Vydareny was a deadline acquisition of GM Bob Gainey, as he picked him up from the Vancouver Canucks farm system for tough guy Sylvain Blouin. Although he hasn=t played much with Hamilton this year, he has played in 15 games for the Dogs and has added a veteran presence to make up for the loss of Mike Komisarek and Karl Dykhuis.