The Laval Rocket, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, will begin their 2023-24 training camp on Monday October 2nd with 35 invited players.
The Laval Rocket, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, will begin their 2023-24 training camp on Monday October 2nd with 35 invited players.
The Laval Rocket announced on Sunday the roster for training camp that begins on Monday at Place Bell. A total of 35 skaters will be present to kick off the preparation for the season.
Forwards
The invitation list includes nine forwards on two-way NHL contracts. Lias Andersson and Philippe Maillet were placed on waivers by the Canadiens and will join Laval on Tuesday if they're not claimed.
Joshua Roy was part of Montreal's huge wave of cuts on Saturday after scoring one goal in two pre-season games. "I think [training camp] went really well. I'm pretty proud of what I'm doing right now. I just want to prove to everybody what I can do and I think it's been pretty good so far," self-evaluated the 20-year-old on Friday. He is expected to be given plenty of key responsibilities this year.
From the Canadiens signed prospects on the invite list, Filip Mesar is the only one eligible to be assigned to junior hockey. Last season, the 19-year-old dressed for one AHL game before being assigned to the OHL, where he recorded 51 points in 52 games with the Kitchener Rangers.
Defence
On defence, there are four players on two-way NHL contracts. From the group, William Trudeau received a lot of attention during the Canadiens camp. Last season, the 20-year-old had a significant progression in Laval and is expected to have an important role once again.
Jayden Struble was not available to play during the Canadiens camp due to an injury that was disclosed as day-to-day. The Rhode Island native joined Laval last season at the conclusion of his NCAA year and dressed for nine regular season and two playoff games for the Rocket.
Goaltenders
Four goalies will be in uniform on Monday. The group is highlighted by Jakub Dobes that was drafted 136th overall in 2020. On Saturday, he made seven saves in one period of play against the Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old is expected to get a good portion of the starts for the Rocket.
Joe Vrbetic is invited to the camp. Last season, the Canadiens seventh round pick in 2021 played 28 games with the ECHL's Trois-Rivieres Lions and four games with Laval.
Schedule
Jean-Francois Houle and his coaching staff will hold practice daily from Monday until Wednesday. Following Wednesday's session, the Canadiens AHL affiliate will hop on the team's bus and travel to Toronto.
On Thursday afternoon, Laval faces the Toronto Marlies in a pre-season match and return home following the contest.
The club will hold one more skate on the ice on Friday followed by an off-ice session on Saturday.
Training camp ends on Sunday afternoon with a visit by the Belleville Senators at Place Bell for pre-season action. The game is being played behind closed doors to the public.
The Rocket open up the regular season on Friday, October 13th when the Abbotsford Canucks visit Laval.