We have noteworthy news within the Montreal Canadiens organization. The Trois-Rivières Lions, the Canadiens’ affiliate team in the ECHL, have just announced the suspension of honetown forward Charles-Antoine Paiement.

Why such a suspension?

It is because the young player has decided to leave for Europe. This suspension allows the Lions to retain his rights in the ECHL.

Charles-Antoine Paiement suspended within the Montreal Canadiens organization because he is leaving for Europe mid-season

Paiement, 25 years old and a native of Saint-Jérôme, is a right-winger standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 161 pounds.

He has accumulated 12 points in 53 games with the Trois-Rivières Lions over the past two seasons, following a successful stint with Concordia University (18 points in 17 games during his final campaign).

He also collected 47 points in 38 games and 56 points in 46 games with the St-Jérôme Panthers in the QJAAAHL.

We wish him the best of luck in Europe.

See the official confirmation here:

The Lions currently occupy third place in the North Division, two points behind the Norfolk Admirals (who are first), with a record of 16 wins, 4 losses, and 3 overtime losses.

Both teams affiliated with the Habs have had very strong starts to the season.

This departure could explain the signing announced yesterday.

Justin Ducharme, 24 years old, who is also a winger, could step in to fill the gap left by Paiement.

Further details to follow.