MONTREAL (Reuters) - The Montreal Canadiens traded Slovakian goalie Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues for a pair of young forwards, the two National Hockey League teams said on Thursday.
Halak, 25, a key reason behind Montreal's unlikely run to the Eastern Conference finals last month, was dealt to the Blues in exchange for Lars Eller and Ian Schultz.
The Slovak had a 9-9 record, including a pair of decisive Game Seven victories, in the playoffs as the Canadiens beat the top-seeded Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Halak had a 26-13-5 record during the regular season when he shared playing time with Carey Price. Both goalies are set to become free agents on July 1.
"Jaroslav's play in this year's regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs was remarkable," Blues president John Davidson said in a statement. "He has had very impressive numbers in the NHL and we are thrilled that he will be wearing the Bluenote for us."
Eller and Schultz played primarily in the minor leagues last season with Eller seeing action in seven Blues games. (Writing by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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