Canadiens sign 2021 1st-round pick Logan Mailloux to entry-level contract

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenceman Logan Mailloux to a three-year, entry-level contract, the NHL club announced Wednesday.

The deal is worth $750,000 US  in the first season and $832,500 in the next two campaigns.

The Canadiens were heavily criticized for drafting Mailloux with the 31st pick at the 2021 NHL draft.

He was fined by Swedish authorities after admitting to two charges related to sharing, without her consent, a photo of a woman performing a sexual act.

Mailloux, who was playing for the Swedish team SK Lejon at the time of the incident, has previously said he "deeply regrets" taking and then sharing that photo with his teammates "to impress them."

"This is a decision that we have thought through carefully," Montreal general manager Kent Hughes, who was not with the organization when Mailloux was drafted, said in a statement Wednesday. "Having Logan around members of our team and hockey operations staff for a good part of the summer allowed us to gain a greater appreciation of Logan Mailloux the person.

"He has an opportunity to affect positive change and we will work to support him in any effort towards that goal. Logan recognizes the impact of his gesture and of course, the process continues."

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Mailloux, who hails from Belle River, Ont., will earn $70,000 per season if he plays in the American Hockey League.

The 19-year-old Mailloux played 12 games with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season, recording three goals and nine points.

In September 2021, the OHL suspended Mailloux indefinitely for violating the league's expectation for appropriate conduct by a player.

Days before the 2021 NHL draft, Mailloux posted a statement