Canadiens goalie leaves North America to sign five-year deal

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Canadiens goalie leaves North America to sign massive five-year deal

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 27, 2025 5:48 PM ET

The fate of young Montreal Canadiens prospect goalie Connor Hughes has been confirmed, as he's taken his talents overseas and signed in the Swiss National League.

While the Montreal Canadiens appear to have sorted out their goaltending situation thanks to the emergence of Samuel Montembeault this year, they've officially lost a young goalie from their system.

Connor Hughes has signed overseas, inking a five-year deal with Lausanne HC of the Swiss National League.

Hughes went 15-12-3 with a 2.58 GAA and a .905 SV% with the Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Canadiens.

Having already played with Lausanne once in his playing career, the Canadiens signed him to a one-year deal; however, he never saw action in the National Hockey League.

At 28, Hughes appears to have forsaken the chance to try and get his feet wet in the NHL with his lengthy contract in Switzerland. He's already played for six teams in the last 10 years.

After he was signed by Montreal last year, the following scouting report via Montreal Hockey Now was offered:

At 6'4″, Hughes has an ideal frame for a goaltender, giving him the type of wingspan that can bail him out of trouble should his agility come into question, though from the limited highlights we have available, Hughes doesn't project as a particularly slow goaltender given his size.

The Canadiens also got impressive play from rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes after he was recalled to the club after the waiving of the struggling Cayden Primeau. Montreal appears primed to enter next season with the tandem of Montembeault and Dobes.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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