What team wouldn’t dream of having such a hope in defense: captain of their team in the NCAA, used all over the place almost 30 minutes per game, mobile, intelligent, skillful at raising, one point per game or so.
The Canadian has one in his organization. But we are more worried to see him join the Bruins next summer than to strengthen the defense of the CH this fall …
After four years at university, Jordan Harris will indeed have the leisure to join the team of his choice in August if he does not sign with the Canadian in May.
The 21-year-old did nothing to ease the anxiety of the Montreal team’s most indecisive fans during colleague Guillaume Lefrançois’ visit to Northeastern University last weekend. He didn’t close the door, but he didn’t open it either.
“It’s a discussion we’ll have at the end of the season. I will talk about it with my parents, my advisers and the Canadian. But there is nothing to make me say that I do not want to play in Montreal. It would be a dream to play there. The organization has been fantastic with me and my family. So there is no hesitation related to the organization. ”
Rob Ramage doesn’t know
Harris, third choice of the CH in 2018 (71e in total), mentioned several times Rob Ramage, the director of player development for the Canadiens, during his interview with Guillaume. The young man doesn’t really have any friends in the organization, but he has developed a great relationship with Ramage, who has been visiting him regularly in Boston for the past few years.
However, Ramage himself is swimming in the unknown, at least he lets it be understood. “If I could predict these situations, I would be rich,” he confided on the phone Tuesday morning. As he said, he will study his options and make his decision when the time comes. I do not know. I can say, however, that he is a very good player, a beautiful person, he is the captain of his team, a leader, he already has the habits of a pro and we clearly want him to join the Montreal Canadiens. ”
A strong bond
The bond between the two men is however still as solid, assures this former defender of the Blues, the Flames and the Canadian. “I saw him last week and I’m seeing him again this week. We have good discussions, a great relationship, and that’s what we’re trying to do. And not just with Jordan. He knows our intentions. But he has the freedom to choose what he wants to do. We respect that. ”
Adam Fox, Alexander Kerfoot, Kevin Hayes, Blake Wheeler, John Marino, Mike Reilly, Will Butcher, among others, have chosen a different team than the one that drafted them after their university career.
But Jake Evans has remained loyal to the Canadiens. Just like Jeff Petry with the Oilers after his four years at Michigan State. Blake Coleman and Anders Lee are further encouraging examples for the CH.
“He would already be under contract if he played in the junior Canadian ranks,” said Ramage. But the rules of American college hockey are different. My son played at the University of Wisconsin with Justin Schultz (who switched to Edmonton after being drafted by Anaheim). This is not new or unusual. ”
With the team of his childhood?
There are fears that Harris will join the Bruins since the young man grew up in Boston idolizing the team. There was no indication of such a scenario before he turned down the Canadiens’ contract offer at the end of his third season at Northeastern in late March.
But his intentions to finish his studies before joining the Canadiens organization may be true. His clan also approved in the spring a press release written by the Canadian in which it is said that Jordan Harris remains committed with the CH for the future and he announced his presence at the team’s development camp in June ( for a second consecutive year) since NCAA regulations allow it.
“It was crazy last year,” recalls Ramage. The schedule was cut short, maybe that weighed in the balance. He thought to himself that maybe he had not accomplished all he had to achieve in Northeastern. And he’s a brilliant young man. He will graduate. School is not a burden for him. ”
It will therefore be necessary to wait several months before being fixed …
Richer understands Caufield
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, PRESS ARCHIVES
Stéphane Richer with the Canadian in 1988.
Stéphane Richer will reassure all those who panic with the dismissal of Cole Caufield in the minors, in his first full year in the professionals. Richer went through the same thing at 19, having won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens the previous spring. He too was sent back to the American League the following season, before eventually enjoying two seasons of more than 50 goals in Montreal.