Former Canadiens Defenceman Getting Second Chance In Calgary

Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman Josh Brook will look to get his career back on the right path after accepting a Professional Try Out (PTO) to attend the Calgary Flames training camp this fall.

A former Montreal Canadiens’ 2nd round pick in 2017, Josh Brook was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after the club chose not to qualify him prior to the July 11 deadline. Brook will now head to the Calgary Flames’ camp this fall with the goal of earning a contract, be it a two-way NHL contract, or, at the very least, an AHL contract to play with the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers.

The Calgary #Flames have signed F Josh Brook to a professional tryout (PTO)https://t.co/9pniw68BwC

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 10, 2022

Despite being a very highly-touted prospect just a couple of years ago, the writing seemed on the wall for Brook and his tenure with the Canadiens. The mobile, right-shot defenceman was plagued by injuries during his time in the pros and has failed to establish himself as the offensive force that he was for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL. During this past season, Brook split time between Laval and the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL and couldn’t get his game going during that time. He was able to make more of an offensive impact for the Lions in the ECHL playoffs, putting up almost a point-per-game in their seven post-season games, but wasn’t part of the Black Aces that were called up from the Lions to join the Rocket in the AHL playoffs.

The Roblin, Manitoba native will have every opportunity to earn a contract with the Flames, with an abundance of depth on the left side of their defence and very little depth on the right side after Nicolas Meloche and Nick DeSimone. If he can find his game and remain healthy for a full season, there may yet be a future for Brook in the NHL, and perhaps the change of scenery is exactly what he needs to get his career going.