The offensive-minded defenseman (102 points in 146 games) Maxim Noreau had been part of HCAP's organisation for three years and still has a contract with the team for the upcoming season. However, the Biancoblù have agreed to let the 27-year-old defenseman go, but if he should return to Switzerland, the contract would still apply to him.
As for his replacement, Ryan O'Byrne, a third round draft pick by the Montréal Canadiens in 2003, he joins HCAP from the now defunct Lev Praha, where he spent the last season, scoring 15 points in 65 games.
The 29-year-old defenseman played over 300 games in the NHL for the Montréal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche and lastly the Toronto Maple Leafs, before he decided to take his skills to the KHL last summer. He has agreed to a one-year contract and will thus stay until the end of the 2014/15 season.
Very excited to be joining HC Ambrì Piotta of the Swiss National League!
— Ryan O'Byrne (@ryanobyrne84) July 8, 2014
#Noreau deal with #Avs is worth $625'000 in each of the two years. One-way-contract.
— Nicola Berger (@BergerNeueLZ) July 7, 2014
