The Montreal Canadiens’ season has been over since mid-April, but that hasn’t stopped many members of the organization from standing out in recent weeks.
Jared Davidson notably took advantage of his participation in the Memorial Cup to show that he may have some potential even if he was drafted by the Canadiens at the age of 20 and after four seasons in the League of the League. ‘West.
Selected in fifth round, 130e overall, in last summer’s draft, Davidson had one goal and five assists in five Memorial Cup games. And even though his Seattle Thunderbirds lost in the final to the Quebec Remparts on Sunday, the Canadiens’ player development coach, Francis Bouillon, believes that Davidson opened the eyes of many observers thanks to his performances.
“He can help the Laval Rocket next season,” Bouillon said after noting that it was mostly his colleague Rob Ramage who followed Davidson this winter. He’s also a role guy, who can play on a fourth line and win one-on-one battles thanks to his physicality. He had a good season and a good Memorial Cup. It’s only positive. »
Bouillon knows what a good performance at the Memorial Cup can do for a player’s career. He was the captain of the Granby Predators in 1996 when they became the first Quebec team to win the tournament since Guy Lafleur and the Remparts in 1971.
“It’s visibility. After the Memorial Cup, my agent called me to tell me that members of the Edmonton Oilers were at the tournament and they offered me my first professional contract, Bouillon said. When you win and the world sees it… You want to surround yourself with winners. »
Davidson is one of the few players the Canadiens have selected in their second or even third year of draft eligibility in recent years. The Habs have had some success at this level, also selecting Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Xavier Simoneau at the age of 20.
Harvey-Pinard exploded onto the NHL scene this winter with 14 goals in 34 games with the Canadiens. For his part, Simoneau has carved out a role for himself with the Rocket and could one day follow in Harvey-Pinard’s footsteps.
“These are players that you have followed for several years, not only during their years leading up to the draft, noted Bouillon, who was never drafted in the NHL. Sometimes you will like their character. If you draft someone, it’s because you like something about them. It can make great projects. »
“What Rafaël Harvey-Pinard has done this season gives hope to a lot of people. »
A golden experience
Goaltender Samuel Montembeault shone at the World Hockey Championship, helping Canada win gold last month. Defenseman Justin Barron also represented the maple leaf.
Montembeault had an interesting season with the Canadiens, showing potential that many doubted. Bouillon believes Montembeault’s performances in Latvia and Finland may have offered some answers to Habs management.
“In one year, his level has increased enormously,” he said. There we saw him in a tournament and he proved that he could still raise his level. He won the championship by being really good. It’s only positive. »
In addition to Davidson, Owen Beck appeared in the Memorial Cup with the Peterborough Petes. Bouillon has followed Beck this winter and touted his game play.
On the side of the World Championship, the Canadian was also able to follow three of his hopes within the American team: the defender Lane Hutson and the attackers Luke Tuch and Sean Farrell.
Tuch had a limited role, playing only four games, but still scored one goal. Farrell has provided a goal and an assist in 10 games, while Hutson has stood out with two goals and four assists in nine games.
Some observers doubt Hutson’s abilities to be able to transpose his game to the professional level because of his small size. Bouillon believes his play at the Worlds helped change that perception a bit.
“There, he played with men and guys who play at the professional level all over the world, he recalled. He still achieved good things. He proves to the organization that he can play with these guys, that he can adapt to a different style of play. »
Share your experience
Bouillon participated Tuesday evening in the presentation of 27 scholarships to young elite hockey players in the province who have distinguished themselves over the past year. These scholarships are awarded by the Canadiens, but the program is managed by the Aléo Foundation, in partnership with Hockey Quebec, the Quebec U18 AAA Hockey Development League and the Quebec Student Sport Network.
Despite his role with the Canadiens, Bouillon admits to enjoying taking the time to share his experience with young up-and-comers.
“They all have a good foundation, both academically and athletically. Afterwards, it is to encourage them to believe in themselves and to be passionate,” he said.
Bouillon added that he is working on the development of a project to offer conferences to share his experience a little more often and with people from different walks of life.