Le capitaine et ses assistants pour ce soir. / The captain and his assistants tonight.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 8, 2017
C: @noahjuulsen
A: @SimBourque_4
A: @danaudette28 pic.twitter.com/puQUnbyQMX
The Rookies get their chance to shine tonight in Toronto at Ricoh Coliseum at 7 pm on Leafs TV. The Canadiens rookie squad takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs rookie team tonight marking the start of this September's tournament.
The lines will shape up like this.
Forwards: Addison - Audette - Reway Pezzetta - Petti - Bitten Boucher - Ebbing - Fortier McEwan - Alain - Waked Goulet extra
Defensemen: Mete - Juulsen Leblanc (not Louis) - Brook Bourque - Fleury
Starting Goalie: McNiven Samuel backing up.
Début du tournoi des recrues aujourd'hui ! / Rookie tournament starts today. MTL vs TOR @ 7pm #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/siqnDLIGth
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 8, 2017
Now, I’m not trying to disrespect the forward group with what I'm about to say and I have tremendous respect for Martin Reway’s battle back to rejoin professional hockey after his heart ailment, Jeremiah Addison’s recent Memorial Cup win (which I celebrated) with Windsor, and Will Bitten’s crazy junior career with a maniac owner in Flint. But this group doesn’t appear to have any game breaking forwards unless Reway is already back to his previous form.
If Montreal is going to do any damage tonight it will be led by the back end, which I think looks like a good group. Mete and Juulsen have been highly regarded Junior performers. Brook was an underrated draft pick this summer and Bourque plays a high tempo, offensive game. I’m curious to see how Fleury looks as well. He was stuck on a terrible Kootenay team for two years but was still regarded as a quality prospect so I’m curious to see how he plays with a pretty decent looking defense squad.
🔵⚪ï¸ðŸ”´ #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/amCZuPynC3
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 8, 2017
McNiven getting the call in goal was automatic after his award winning OHL season with Owen Sound Attack where he posted 41 wins, 9 losses, and 6 shutouts along with a 2.30 GAA and 0.915 SP%. Clearly, this teams strength will be from the crease outward for this tournament.
Watch the game tonight and add your thoughts to the comment section.
Go Habs Go!
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***UPDATE*** The Canadiens defeated the Leafs 5-2 with goals coming from Ebbing (Fortier, Fleury), Bitten (Leblanc, McNiven), Alain (McEwan), Ebbing (unassisted), and Audette (Réway, Bourque). McNiven looked very solid making 34 saves on 36 shots and getting an assist in the contest.
McNiven impressed with his positioning and poise and of the two goals allowed, one was a power play marker and the other he had a good screen in front of him. I wouldn't have blamed him for either goal.
Bitten, Ebbing, and Audette had strong games and so did Martin Réway when you consider he's had almost an entire year off from physical activity. Was really happy to see him play last night.
Juulsen is a big guy out there. He can make a good outlet pass. His NHL strength will be his defensive awareness, and his ability to use his large frame to separate opponents from the puck. I like him. He could be a challenger for a spot this October or at least earn a call up or two this season.
Victor Mete displayed more of what we know of him. Smooth skating, good passing, defensive awareness. I'm a big fan.
I know these games aren't as meaningful as the meaningless exhibition games that will soon come but it's a good chance to see how quickly these kids can adapt and work together for a common goal. Some of these kids see it as a chance to make an impression and others on tryouts are just trying to earn a junior job with a chance at getting to the show.
Either way, it was nice to some hockey last night.
In other news Therrien is back with the Canadiens as a scout in a move that coincides so closely with his two part tell all on the radio that my tinfoil hat had me thinking the Canadiens were buying some silence. I know I'm crazy. It's simply that Therrien has such an eye for young talent, has his finger on the pulse of youth today, and is exceptional at working with them.
Anyways, always a nice night when the CH tops the Maple Leafs.