Tigers alumnus Schlemko looks for new home with Habs
BROSSARD, Que. David Schlemko has worn a lot of jerseys in recent years but he hopes to have finally found one that lasts with the Montreal Canadiens.
The 30-year-old defenceman is on his seventh team in three seasons.
“It’s definitely a relief to come to a great team and have the best goalie in the world behind you,” Schlemko said when training camp opened Friday. “That’s a great start.”
Three seasons ago, the Edmonton native was an Arizona Coyote, playing in his seventh season with the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent. He was claimed off waivers by Dallas in mid-season, but played only five games for the Stars before he was put on waivers again and taken by the Calgary Flames.
He signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils for the 2015-16 campaign and played well enough to be signed last season as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks.
He thought he’d found a home after inking a four-year contract with the Sharks, but after one season, he was claimed in the expansion draft last June by the Vegas Golden Knights, only to be flipped to Montreal the next day for a 2019 fifth-round draft pick.
“This is the first time I’ve actually been traded,” he said. “I’m happy to end up here in a great hockey market, on a good team. “It’s been a lot of moving.” Schlemko looks to be improving with age. He had a career-high six goals and 19 points for the Devils and then had six goals and 18 points with the Sharks.