David Reinbacher was recognized by the National League in Switzerland for his outstanding season. The Laval Rocket and Trois-Rivieres Lions added players to their rosters.
On Friday, the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation named David Reinbacher the Youngster of Year 2023. The 18-year-old collected 22 points in 46 games playing for EHC Kloten in the National League (NL.) In three playoff games, he scored once and added one assist.
Reinbacher was drafted fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in this year’s NHL Entry Draft and became the highest selected Austrian-born defenseman in NHL history.
At the Canadiens development camp, the 6-foot-2, right-hander said that he still has a lot to learn about playing on a North American size rink. “It's something different. It's faster, it's harder, it's quicker. You have to be making quick decisions. I think it's a process on how fast you can use get used to it. It's not time to put your head down. It's time to learn and get used to it, and then it will be good.”
If the defenseman does not crack Montreal’s lineup out of training camp, it is expected he will return to Switzerland for a third season and to complete his final year of school.
The Hockey News’ Tony Ferrari projects Reinbacher to become an NHL'er with his defensive abilities.
Yaremko Returns
On Thursday, the Laval Rocket announced the signing of Nolan Yaremko to a one-year two-way American Hockey League (AHL) contract.
Yaremko began the 2022-23 season with Mount Royal University in CIS and scored 17 goals and 45 points in 28 games. On March 7th, he signed a professional tryout contract with the Rocket, where he collected five points and 14 penalty minutes in 12 games.
If the 6-foot-1 forward does not slot in the Rocket’s lineup to begin the season, he will be assigned to the ECHL’s Trois-Rivieres Lions.
Lions add Defenseman
The Trois-Rivieres Lions signed Marc-Antoine Pepin to a one-year contract. In 2022-23, Pepin dressed in 11 games for the Fort Wayne Komets where he totaled four points and minus-5.
The Trois-Rivieres native is the fourth defenseman and 11th player signed to an ECHL contract by the Canadiens affiliate. The Lions will also receive any extra players assigned by the Rocket.
Stapley joins Avalanche Organization
Former Canadiens prospect Brett Stapley signed a one-year, two-way AHL contract with the Colorado Eagles. Stapley was drafted 190th overall by Montreal in 2018 and signed an AHL contract with the Canadiens last year after the organization released his NHL rights.
Despite the injuries within the entire organization, the 24-year-old spent the entire 2022-'23 in the ECHL with the Lions and led the team with 52 points in 57 games.