Drafted by the Canadiens is "An Incredible Feeling" Says Reinbacher

The Montreal Canadiens selected right-handed defenseman David Reinbacher with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

The rumors were rampant throughout the day regarding the fifth overall pick held by the Canadiens. Just minutes before the start of the Draft, Montreal general manager Kent Hughes told Sportsnet that it's "certainly upwards of 50 percent" that the selection will be made by the Habs.  

The suspense came to an end when Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, with the help of Hughes, announced that the club selected defenseman David Reinbacher.

Reinbacher was the first defenseman selected on Wednesday night and became the highest selected Austrian-born defenseman in NHL history. In 2022-'23, he played for Kloten HC in Switzerland, where he collected 22 points in 46 games. 

Reinbacher didn't expect to be selected at number five but happy to have been chosen by the Canadiens. "It's an incredible feeling. I still can't believe it. It's a really huge honor for me to put on such great colors from a great organization," he told media members minutes after being selected. 

The 18-year old met with the team at the NHL Combine in June that he felt went well. On Tuesday, he was impressed after meeting owner Geoff Molson and coach Martin St. Louis. 

In addition to being drafted, Reinbacher had the opportunity to speak to his idol Roman Josi before the start of the event. The Canadiens newly drafted player had tears in his eyes when meeting the former Predators defenseman. 

The 6-foot-2 defenseman tries to model his game after his idol. "I'm a breakout defenseman. I can feed offensive guys. I can skate out with the puck. I'm really calm with the puck on my stick," self-evaluated the Austria native. 

Reinbacher was ranked ninth in The Hockey News final draft rankings with an identified need to work on his offence. A task that he will work on after practices with his coaches. He also added that he needs to work on strength to be stronger on the ice. 

The next steps for the defenseman is to attend the Canadiens development camp. After that point, he will do what the organization feels what is best for him. 

Reinbacher's goal is to play in the NHL as soon as possible, but has the option to return home for the upcoming season. The teenager still has one year of school remaining, but with online classes, there's an option for him to remain in North American and complete his studies. 

The right shooting defenseman is not scared of the pressure that comes with playing in a big hockey market like Montreal. He's looking forward to meeting Cole Caufield that he described as funny based on the videos that he has seen of the forward.