The fifth-overall selection at the 2023 NHL Draft was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Montreal Canadiens this week.
It's been a whirlwind seven days for young defenseman David Reinbacher. After being selected fifth-overall by the Montreal Canadiens in Nashville, TN last week, the 18-year-old blueliner jetted off to Quebec for a tour of his new organization's facilities and preparation for his first NHL Development Camp.
The Canadiens camp began on Saturday, July 1 with off-ice activities and medical evaluations, before kicking off on-ice drills on Sunday, July 2. After three days of skating sessions, culminating in a team scrimmage Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens announced early the following morning that they had signed the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Reinbacher to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Last year, the Hohenems, Austria native played 46 games with EHC Kloten in the Swiss National League. There, he registered three goals and 19 assists for 22 points. He also contributed one goal and assist in the three playoff games he appeared in. In international play, Reinbacher represented for Team Austria recently in both the 2022 and 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Kent Hughes and other Montreal executives have not yet confirmed where their newest defenseman will play during the 2023-24 season. Options include staying in the NHL with the Canadiens or heading back in Europe for further general development, which likely won't be decided until after rookie camp and/or training camp in September.