MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced on Wednesday that the team has acquired defenseman Shea Weber from the Nashville Predators in return for defenseman P.K. Subban.

“We completed today an important transaction which I am convinced will make the Canadiens a better team. It was also one of the most difficult decisions I had to make as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. In Shea Weber, we get a top rated NHL defenseman with tremendous leadership, and a player who will improve our defensive group as well as our powerplay for many years to come. Shea Weber led all NHL defensemen last season with 14 powerplay goals. He is a complete rearguard with impressive size and a powerful shot. P.K. Subban is a special and very talented player. He provided the Canadiens organization with strong performances on the ice and generous commitment in the community. I wish him the best of luck with the Predators,” said Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.

Shea Weber, 30, played in 78 of the Nashville Predators’ 82 games in 2015-16, recording 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists). He led all NHL defensemen in powerplay goals (14), and ranked tied for third in powerplay points (26).

The Nashville Predators’ captain for the past six seasons (2010 to 2016), Weber has played a total of 763 career NHL regular season games. He registered 443 points (166 goals, 277 assists), displayed a +48 differential, served 568 penalty minutes, and amassed 187 powerplay points, including 80 goals with the man advantage. The 6’4’’ and 236 lbs defenseman added 28 points in 59 career playoff games (13 goals, 15 assists) and served 57 penalty minutes.

A native of Sicamous, British Columbia, Shea Weber has participated in the NHL All-Star Game on five occasions (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016). Twice he was named to the NHL First All-Star Team (2011 and 2012), and the NHL Second All-Star Team (2014 and 2015). A few weeks ago, Weber was the recipient of the 2015-16 Mark Messier Leadership Award in recognition of his superior leadership in hockey and commitment and service to his community. Weber was amongst the three finalists for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Top Defenseman on three occasions during his career.

On the international stage, Weber contributed to two gold medal championships by Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, and the 2014 Olympics in Sochi where he was an alternate captain to Sidney Crosby. He was named to the All-Star Team of the 2010 Olympics. He also represented Canada at the World Junior Championship in 2005, and was a member of the Canadian team that twice won the World Hockey Championship (gold medal in 2007 and silver medal in 2009). Weber was named the World championship’s Top Defenseman in 2009, and was named to the tournament’s All-Star team. Shea Weber was recently selected to Canada’s squad for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in September in Toronto.

Shea Weber was selected in the second round, 49th overall by the Predators in 2003.

P.K. Subban was a second-round pick, 43rd overall, by the Canadiens in 2007. He played a total of 434 regular season games since making his NHL debut with the Canadiens in 2009. He registered 278 career points (63 goals, 215 assists). Subban also recorded 38 points in 55 career playoff games (11 goals, 27 assists). He was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Top Defenseman in 2013.