(Buffalo) Hockey players like to say that they treat every game the same way, perhaps to convince themselves that this is the case and avoid falling into excess nervousness. David Reinbacher did not hide his excitement on Friday evening, a few minutes after his first match in the rookie tournament.
“It’s not a normal day,” said the 5th pick in the most recent draft.
Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and the organization’s other hopefuls had their hands full on Friday at the opening of the rookie tournament. The Sabres, the host team, bludgeoned the Canadian 6-3 on Friday evening.
“It’s a great honor to put on the Canadian jersey, with the long history of the team,” commented Reinbacher. It’s not a normal day, so you’re a little nervous, but it goes away quickly. »
For this baptism with NHL prospects, Reinbacher looked like what he is: an 18-year-old defenseman trying to adapt to North American-sized rinks. In the first period, in particular, he found himself with his nose in the bay window a few times, physically beaten by his rivals, giving them time of possession in Montreal territory.
“He discovers the level of play,” recalled Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle. He played a decent match. He’s a big defender, he skates well and he made some good plays. It gives him professional hockey experience. »
For what it’s worth, the scoresheet gave him an assist on Miguël Tourigny’s goal, but that pass instead went to Owen Beck, even though Reinbacher was in the box.
Another one who has had difficult times is Logan Mailloux. He was on the ice for the Sabres’ first three goals, including one after he stopped skating in pursuit of the puck, on what he thought was a disallowed clearance, which ultimately wasn’t.
We were also able to observe a defender who is not afraid of rough play, which even earned him a good slap from a rival during a scrum in front of the net. And at the end of the match, the big number 94 allowed himself the kind of surge that explains why he scored 25 goals last season in London.
“This game is the Logan Mailloux you’re going to know,” predicted forward Owen Beck, who faced Mailloux in the Ontario junior circuit for the past two years.
“I felt him nervous,” Houle agreed. But several young people were, I noticed it during morning training. It’s normal. We have several young people and they played their first game with the Canadian jersey. You have to learn from this experience. »
Beck and Mailloux have visibly made peace, after having had a few skirmishes during the last OHL series.
“We were in the same place at the same time. We weren’t best friends at the time, but we’re both competitive guys. He’s a good guy to know when he’s on your team! “, Beck said, amused.
Speaking of Beck, he was one of the best in his camp, as was also the case last year. His work in the defensive zone was at the origin of a goal for his team, and he also offered himself a retreat worthy of the major leagues to deprive the Sabers of a breakaway. A good start for CH’s 2nd round pick in 2022.
Still at the front, Xavier Simoneau played with his usual enthusiasm, even making Chris Jandric, who came to defend Zack Benson, lose his composure, whom Simoneau had just pushed.
In defense, William Trudeau, a surprise for the Rocket last year, offered assured play as Reinbacher’s partner. It was he, Trudeau, who wore the captain’s “C”, with his experience in the American League.
In net, Jakub Dobes made some impressive saves, even though he allowed six goals.
The match was interrupted for 15 minutes in the third period after a bay window broke. The tournament is taking place at the Sabers training center, and the panel that broke was located just under the mezzanine, which made replacing the glass extremely complicated. The referees and players even had time to retreat to the locker room.
The attendants were treated to a warm ovation once the operation was completed. We are still trying to find out if the applause was sincere or sarcastic.
This may seem like a truth from La Palice, but it appears that the Canadian is not the only team to have interesting prospects and to invest in player development.
Isak Rosen and Matt Savoie, two of the Sabres’ five first-round picks, dominated the game and made an inexperienced Montreal defense dizzy.
“They’re a very good hockey team. We knew they had talented young players and they showed great things,” agreed Simoneau. “They had speed, talent and big first-round picks,” Houle added.
And like the Canadian, the Sabers have also taken a turn towards player development in recent years. Seth Appert, the head coach of their school club which is coming from the American development program, made comments Friday morning which were reminiscent of what Martin St-Louis, Adam Nicholas and other members of the new guard of the CH advocate, with exercises to accelerate decision-making, in restricted spaces.
The Habs will, on paper, have a less threatening challenge Saturday against the Bruins, an organization that has drafted very few in the 1st round in recent years. But when we talk about the deadlines for the reconstruction of the Habs, we must also take into account what is being done elsewhere.
