Laval Rocket Announce AHL Training Camp Roster

While the Montreal Canadiens continue to make cuts ahead of their opening game of the regular season, scheduled for Oct 9, the team’s AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, is preparing to open their training camp.

In total, 19 forwards, 10 defencemen, and three goalies were officially listed on the Rocket’s training camp invite list, however, more players will join them in short order via the Canadiens.

Laval Rocket Training Camp List

Forwards: Vincent Arseneau, Alex Beaucage, Owen Beck, Lucas Condotta, Xavier Cormier, Laurent Dauphin, Jared Davidson, Sean Farrell, Brandon Gignac, Riley Kidney, Filip Mesar, Israel Mianscum, Logan Nijhoff, Jakov Novak, Jacob Perreault, Charles Savoie, Xavier Simoneau, Luke Tuch, and Florian Xhekaj.

Defencemen: Eric Gelinas, Zackary Hayes, Joshua Jacobs, Chris Jandric, Simon Mottew, Jakob Paquette, Vincent Sevigny, Corey Thomas, William Trudeau, and Tyler Wotherspoon.

Goaltenders: Luke Cavallin, Connor Hughes, Hunter Jones.

Montreal Canadiens / Laval Rocket Brass Tacks

The forwards are headlined by forward Owen Beck, who is expected to play a significant role despite his lack of professional hockey experience. Beck is versatile, intelligent, and a hard worker, connoting that there are good odds he ends up being used in a variety situation by head coach Pascal Vincent.

Brandon Gignac and Xavier Simoneau will provide the offensive firepower from veterans, while prospects Filip Mesar, Sean Farrell, Riley Kidney, Jared Davidson, Luke Tuch, and Florian Xhekaj will attempt to improve their standing on the Canadiens’ depth chart, with the goal of eventually playing well enough to deserve a promotion to the NHL.

Depending on how the Canadiens build their NHL roster, there’s also a chance that a player such as Alex Barre-Boulet, or Michael Pezzetta ends up in the AHL.

ON TOPIC: Canadiens Roster Construction And Depth Chart – Impact Of Patrik Laine Injury/Cuts

As for the defencemen, as you can see, the options aren’t ideal. David Reinbacher’s injury will factor into the defensive group decisions, as will the blueliners who do not end up earning a job with the Canadiens. This leaves an opening for a player to such as Logan Mailloux, Adam Engstrom, or even Jayden Struble to head to the AHL this season. It’s also why former Rocket Eric Gelinas will attend camp on a PTO.

It should also be noted goaltender Jakub Dobes is still in Montreal, but he will serve as the team’s starting goaltender once their regular season begins on October 11, versus the Providence Bruins.