Are you looking forward to seeing Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher and Lane Hutson in action? At the risk of disappointing you, you won’t be able to catch them at the Canadiens’ development camp. Here’s a look at what’s coming up in Brossard this week.
A camp without the big names
This camp will take place without the organization’s best hopes. The reasons vary from one player to another. To Europeans like Demidov (1er tower, 2024), Reinbacher (1er tour, 2023), Filip Mesar (1er tour, 2022) or Aatos Koivu (3e tour, 2024), Kent Hughes suggested avoiding trips back and forth between the Old Continent and North America. Koivu, he gave as an example, will soon participate in a camp with the Finnish junior national team. Lane Hutson (2e tour, 2022), he wanted to come, according to Hughes, but the GM reminded him that most players of his status have been exempted. Owen Beck and goalie Emmett Croteau are also the only two players from the 2022 draft to participate in the camp. “We really see it more as an introduction,” Hughes explained in a press conference on Monday. It is understandable that we will no longer see cases like Mac Bennett, a 2009 draft pick who participated in seven (!) development camps.
Hage, the headliner
Seven of the ten players that the Canadiens drafted last week are back in Vegas. Demidov, Koivu and Makar Khanin (7e tour) are absent. Michael Hage, the other choice of 1er tower, at 21e rank that one, therefore arrives as the headliner of the group. The 18-year-old player, with Montreal roots (he speaks French and his parents are from Montreal), is therefore making a stop here before playing the next season at the University of Michigan.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Tuesday was devoted to off-ice testing.
Beck, the veteran
Beck is one of the few “veterans” at this camp. “It’s a question of proximity,” said the Ontarian. “It’s a good time to see the staff here, the program. I was looking forward to coming, I’m happy to be here to help those who have come less often than me. I’m going to be able to exercise some leadership.” Beck arrived with a certain enthusiasm, after seeing his GM remain relatively passive on the free agent market this week. “It makes me very enthusiastic. It’s exciting to have the confidence and to be able to develop in a certain role. It’s good to see that the organization has a plan and that it trusts the guys it drafted,” he noted. Beck will make the jump to the pros in the fall, likely in Laval. Unless his focus on defensive play allows him to cause a surprise at camp.
Several guests
Last year, 37 players participated in this development camp, including 7 as invitees, meaning they were not draft picks of the organization and did not have a contract. This year, there are only 30 players, including… 14 invitees! Among these invitees, we note Alexander Zetterberg, a small forward (5’8″, 159 lbs), ignored in the draft, but who came in at 30e ranks among the top European prospects according to the NHL Central Scouting. Another name that catches the eye among the guests: Joshua Nadeau, an Acadian who is also small in stature (5’8″, 158 lbs). He has just had a dazzling debut in the NCAA with 45 points in 37 games, which earned him the 2e University of Maine’s scoring ranks, behind his little brother Bradly, a 1st overall picker Hurricanes tour last year. Nine coaches were also invited, including Kori Cheverie, pilot of the Montreal LPHF team, and Joël Perreault, head coach of the Rimouski Oceanic.
The schedule
Tuesday was dedicated to off-ice testing. Wednesday and Thursday, players will be invited to on-ice practices: at 9:15 a.m. for goalies and at 11 a.m. for skaters. The camp will conclude with an intrasquad game on Friday at 11 a.m. The activities are held at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, so the public can attend the on-ice sessions.