from Olivier Beauregard at Canadiens.com,

Xavier Ouellet has been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster in recent months.

First, because the Red Wings elected to buy out his contract and part ways with the 25-year-old defenseman instead of keeping him in the fold.

Ouellet is hoping to put that chapter of his career behind him - permanently.

"As a player, you don't really want to look behind you too much. Things didn't work out and I was bought out by the Red Wings. It was disappointing, and it's something that you never want to happen," he explained. "But, it comes with the job. That's the way things go in hockey."

Come July 1, though, Ouellet signed a one-year, two-way contract with the team he grew up cheering for.

"I'd just experienced some disappointment and then a new opportunity came my way," mentioned Ouellet, who was born in Bayonne, France. "I was so happy."

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