Day 3 of the Canadiens development camp was held on Monday in Brossard. Goalie Jacob Fowler participated in the on-ice activities while forwards Florian Xhekaj, Blake Biondi, Jared Davidson sat out due to minor injuries.
Benefitting from AHL Experience
Jayden Struble is taking part in his second development camp and the familiarity with the staff have helped make him feel more comfortable. The defenseman got to know the members of the organization after joining the Laval Rocket following the end of his four-year stint with Northeastern University in March.
Struble dressed for nine regular season and two playoff matches in the American Hockey League (AHL) last season. He felt supported by the coaching staff in his brief professional experience and was encouraged that he was told to get back out on the ice and forget about any mistakes that he may have made.
In the small sample of his AHL experience, Struble worked to prepare for this upcoming season. "I learned how much different it is being a pro, from the lifestyle to the hockey. I need to get a lot better, a lot stronger, a lot faster, everything in my game needs to get better to to be able to dominate at that level."
The 21-year old surpassed the expectations of Jean-Francois Houle. "I was impressed. I thought he was gonna get beat one-on-one all over the ice and he didn't. To me that was a positive. The way he turned, attacked stick on puck, he was physical. I was happy with his progression and if he keeps up like that than he's got a chance," said the head coach of the Rocket on Tuesday.
The organization's depth on left defense is well documented but Struble is focusing on things that he can control. "I don't think too much about it. I'm gonna have a great summer up here training and then rookie camp, main camp and I'm just gonna put my best foot forward and we'll see what happens."
Struble will be moving to Montreal in a couple of weeks to train with teammates in anticipation of rookie camp later this summer. "Everything will play out the way it's supposed to if I just put the work in."
Improving Defensive Play
Joshua Roy had another impressive season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) by collecting 99 points in 55 games. In the playoffs, he obtained 24 points in 14 games.
Roy had an opportunity to spend time with the Laval Rocket during the 2021-'22 season and dressed for one AHL playoff game. "To see the veterans, the way they act off the ice and they're all leaders. [Gabriel Bourque] took me under his wing and it really helped me. I brought that back to the juniors," he said, explaining the benefit gained during his brief stint.
The 19-year-old is focused on improving his defensive play. "For awhile, I've had to improve it and I think I proved at the World Junior Championships that I can. There's still a big step that I have to take if I want to be a pro. I will continue working hard on that."
Roy will be given plenty of opportunities to develop with the Rocket this season. "He's a smart player. I think he still has a lot to learn but at least he thinks the game properly and we'll see what happens this year. This is one of the players that we intend to to give a lot of ice time and see what he can do with it," evaluated Houle.
Competition in Goal
Jakub Dobes signed an AHL contract on March 31st to join the Rocket for the conclusion of the season. Even though he did not get an opportunity to play in a game, he learned from the experience.
"It was great. I don't think the pace is much faster than college, but definitely the players are better, and they are more skilled. They pick corners better, they're just better. That's the one adjustment I need to do is to compete with better players, but I like to do that and I'll be ready," Dobes said, as he evaluated the difference in the AHL.
"He has good size. He looks in control. He's still young and we will have to be patient with him. It will be a good opportunity for him to be a young rookie in the AHL," Houle said about the 6-foot-5-inch goalie.
The 22-year-old is confident that he will have a good first season as a professional. "I'm very competitive guy so I don't like to get score on or lose. So I think my mentality will push me and I will have a good season."
Prior to joining the Rocket, Dobes played 40 games for Ohio State University, where he had 21-16-3 record, 2.31 goals against average, and .918 save percentage.
Dobes will train at his home in St. Louis and prepare for camp. "I'll try to get stronger, try to lift as much weight as I possibly can, work on my physique and try to take some time off the ice and reset and have a clear mind. I think I have a good program. I think I can be stronger and put up some muscles," he said, describing his summer objective.
With Cayden Primeau likely not returning to the AHL as he requires to clear waivers, the goaltending situation in Laval is not clear. Houle mentioned that management has two different possible paths for the upcoming season.
"It depends on what the organization chooses. You can have a veteran that helps the youngster but you can have another young goalie at the same age so they can both push each other," Houle outlined. "I think it's good to have internal competition. It will become a competition between both and that's how become better."
Impressed by Roster
Adam Engstrom is back in Brossard for development camp and is impressed by his teammates skating with him. "It's high standard out there, so it's good practice and you can develop good here against good talent."
Engstrom played 43 games in Sweden last season for Rogle BK Angelhom where he totaled 16 points. He still has one year remaining on his contract and is hoping to play a bigger role on that squad.
The defenseman, drafted in the third round by the Canadiens in 2022, is looking to improve his physical play. "I need to develop my physical game a little bit more. I also want to be more effective offensively. So yeah, but I think I need to put more [focus on] my defensive side."