"Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Thursday the signing of forward Brian Willsie to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2011-12 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In 2010-11, Willsie finished second in scoring with the Hershey Bears and 11th overall in the AHL with 68 points (30 goals, 38 assists) in 76 games. He maintained a +27 plus/minus differential, the team's second best and served 68 penalty minutes. He was the team leader, ranking fourth overall in the AHL with 14 powerplay goals. Willsie also appeared in one NHL game with the Capitals, collecting one assist."