Best known as the secondary part of the Bourque-Cammalleri trade, Patrick Holland of the Tri-City Americans has been signed to an Entry Level Contract by the Montreal Canadiens. Here's what SBN Habs blog Habs Eyes On the Prize had to say:
Holland was recently ranked 11th by Hockey's Future among Habs prospects. His profile notes that the 20-year-old is "one of those players who can sometimes go unnoticed but he can do it all." Well he got noticed.
He'll finish his season with the Tri-City Americans (WHL), where he has 24 goals and 77 assists in 66 games. Since the January 12 trade that put his NHL rights in the hands of the Canadiens, Holland has scored seven goals and 37 assists in a 26-game span.
The winger's offensive prowess will be a welcome addition to the Hamilton Bulldogs next season.
Of note, former Habs coach Jacques Martin was spotted at a few WHL rinks, doing some scouting on Holland, shortly after the young forward was dealt to the Canadiens.
I interviewed Patrick Holland a little over a year ago, and as I remarked to Kevin of HEOTP tonight, I'm happy to see Holland get this opportunity, as he's always come across as shocked that anyone's ever thought he could play at the professional level.
He might not be an offensive powerhouse, but as a defensively responsible player, he'll certainly stick in the AHL and even has a shot at a Sammy Pahlsson role in the NHL in the future.