American buys Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL (AP) -- Uh-oh, Canada. An American is the new owner of the Montreal Canadiens.

George Gillett signed the papers Wednesday to become majority owner of the most storied team in professional hockey.

Now he must convince Canadians that he's not their worst nightmare -- an American owner who will take the NHL's most successful franchise south of the border.

Gillett wore a Canadiens tie and pin at the center-ice news conference Wednesday.