The Montreal Canadiens announced that the team's prospects will once again participate in the annual Prospects Challenge hosted by the Buffalo Sabres.
Eight years ago, the Buffalo Sabres unveiled a new event on the September hockey calendar. Named the Prospects Challenge, the annual round-robin tournament is designed to allow prospects attending NHL rookie camps an opportunity to play games against one another. Fans get an early look at top young players, while team coaches and management get to evaluate their prospects in game action.
Originally, the tournament included players from just three NHL teams: the Buffalo Sabres, the Boston Bruins, and the New Jersey Devils. Last year, the tournament expanded to six teams, with the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh Penguins joining the fray.
The tournament spans three days at LECOM Harborcenter, the practice rink adjacent to Key Bank Center in Buffalo. Each team plays one game per day, with a different opponent in each matchup. A full tournament schedule can be found below.
This year's event takes place from September 15-18, with the Canadiens playing games against the Sabres, the Bruins, and the Senators.
Jean-Francois Houle and the rest of his Laval Rocket coaching staff will be behind the bench for the Habs during the tournament. Additional information, such as streaming options and roster details, will be available later in the summer. Ticket sales open in August, with a price of $10 per ticket.
Montreal's rookie camp kicks off on Wednesday, September 13th, when players will first undergo medical examinations and physical testing in Brossard. The group will then travel to Buffalo for the tournament, before returning to Montreal for the remainder of camp.
2023 Prospects Challenge Schedule (all times Eastern)
Friday, September 15th:
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Saturday, September 16th:
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Monday, September 18th:
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