The Montreal Canadiens forward remains engaged with the team and coaching staff as he prepares for next season.

The anticipation was high in October to see Kirby Dach's progression as the centre of the Montreal Canadiens second line. The 23-year-old had a good first season in the organization, collecting 38 points in 58 games. 

On opening night last October, Dach obtained two assists centering a line between Alex Newhook and Juraj Slafkovsky. The promising start came to a halt three nights later when former Canadien defenseman Jarred Tinordi checked the forward against the boards at the Chicago Blackhawks bench. Dach's season ended at that moment with torn ACL and MCL in his right knee that required surgery.

"It sucks. Had a good summer, felt good coming in, had a lot of confidence, felt good in my game and then a little fluke play - not much you can really do about it - had the whole season ripped away. It's not a great feeling," Dach said on Sunday in his first media availability since the incident. 

Last Wednesday, Dach was seen skating for the first time at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. He repeated the exercise on Saturday again without equipment. 

"It's nice to have something new, something to fresh the mind, feel the love for the game again and get back out there and have some fun, even if it's just me out there. It's nice to be skating again," said Dach regarding the next step of his rehabilitation. 

It is highly unlikely that the six-foot four-inch center will return for game action this year. He hopes to be able to practice with his teammates before the conclusion of the season.

Staying Involved

Last year, injuries forced him to miss significant time in uniform. Even though team expectations were low for the 2023-24 season, Dach would have benefitted in getting a lot of responsibilities for his development. 

"I don't think my physical development has taken a hit at all. I feel good, the way I move. I was walking around without a brace 2-3 weeks after surgery and skating three and a half months after. I feel good, I feel strong. I think it's more of a mental battle when you're out for this long and constantly stay checked in and to be focused on what's going on and the task in hand," noted Dach. 

Martin St. Louis invited the third overall pick of the 2019 draft to join the coaching staff in the pre-scout meetings and to provide his feedback. This exercise allows him to remain engaged, learn and feel part of the team without being on the ice. 

"It's huge. More than anything I'm seeing the game through different people's eyes and have a lot of good talks with Marty about the game. The way he sees it and the way I see it. Good discussions like that. As a player, it's only going to benefit me in the long run. I'd love to be out there playing with the guys and compete each and every night but it wasn't in the cards this year. I have to find other ways to work on my game and build it up for next year," explained Dach. 

The season-ending injury has arguably been the most disappointing moment of the season for the Canadiens and with the team lacking consistent secondary scoring, Dach's arrival to the lineup next season will certainly boost the offence.

"The support I have gotten from the fans, from the city, has been phenomenal throughout the whole process. It's definitely made it a little bit easier at times, but it does make you question where we would be if I was playing," noted the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native.   

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