Notable Inclusions & Omissions In Canadiens Rookie Camp Roster

The Montreal Canadiens just unveiled their roster for the upcoming rookie camp, with some interesting names included and absent from the list of players.

On Sunday morning, the Montreal Canadiens unveiled a list of players who will be attending their upcoming rookie camp, set to start on September 14. Of the prospects included, we have the obvious names like Kaiden Guhle, Juraj Slafkovsky, Joshua Roy, Jordan Harris and more that will be participating prior to testing their metal against the team’s veterans during the real training camp next week. These youngsters will be looking to make an immediate impact and gain some much-needed momentum that they’ll hopefully carry into the main training camp.

Of the notable names that have been included on this list, Mattias Norlinder, Emil Heineman and Brett Stapley are intriguing inclusions. Heineman’s inclusion will be interesting, as the forward will put his talents on display for the Canadiens’ organization for the first time since being acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames last February. Stapley, who is on an AHL contract with the Laval Rocket, is also an intriguing invite here, as he is one of the few players whose rights the Canadiens no longer own at the NHL level. Norlinder, who is no longer under contract with Frolunda of the SHL, is making the jump to North America full-time and will look to hit the ground running in trying to distinguish himself from a crowded group of left-shot defencemen.

The Canadiens also have some interesting invites in goalies Riley Mercer, brother of New Jersey’s Dawson Mercer, and Antoine Coulombe; two undrafted goaltenders from the QMJHL. In fact, Joe Vrbetic, Montreal’s 2021 7th round pick, is the only Canadiens-owned goaltender attending their camp currently, as Frederik Dichow and Jakub Dobes are ineligible to participate at this time.

A Pleasant Surprise, But Some Notable Omissions

One player that is listed, but will not be participating in on-ice drills, nor partaking in the tournament in Buffalo, is Canadiens’ 2021 1st round pick, Logan Mailloux. The right-shot defenceman, who has been rehabbing his shoulder in Montreal this summer, will be present on-site, but that will be the most he can do; as he continues to work his way toward a healthy return. Mailloux has spent a good amount of time with members of the Canadiens organization, and was also at the Canadiens development camp as well; despite not being able to participate in on-ice drills.

One interesting omission on this list is Montreal Canadiens’ 2022 3rd round pick, Vinzenz Rohrer, who, as of two weeks ago, told Montreal Hockey Now that he was excited to participate at this year’s rookie camp. The Canadiens have confirmed that Rohrer, unfortunately, has suffered an injury when he received a puck to the face during the Ottawa 67’s training camp and will not be available to be at the rookie camp in person. All of the Montreal Canadiens’ NCAA prospects, like Lane Hutson, Sean Farrell and Luke Tuch, amongst others, are unfortunately ineligible to attend the camp due to strict rules limiting the participation of NCAA athletes in professional camps.

Other players, like Jesse Ylönen and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, have seemingly graduated from being considered rookies and look to be positioned as legitimate threats to crack the roster at training camp. Their goal will be to impress the Canadiens at the main prospect camp and force the management team to make room for them.

The Canadiens will make their way to Buffalo on September 15, where they partake in the 2022 NHL Prospect Challenge. The Prospects Challenge will include rookies from six NHL clubs: the Canadiens, the Boston Bruins, the Buffalo Sabres, the New Jersey Devils, the Ottawa Senators, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be a great opportunity for the Canadiens to get a sense of their top youngsters are at in their development. Montreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont will be on-site to bring you coverage of the event.