A few hours before the Canadian’s last game in 2022-2023, goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault received a flattering invitation that would extend his hockey season.
The Quebecer was approached to represent Canada at the World Championship. The event, presented in Finland and Latvia, will begin on May 12.
The daily Le Nouvelliste said the deal was done. According to our information, however, the last necessary confirmations have not yet been finalized.
Montembeault was part of the Canadian selection at the World Junior Championship in 2016, but did not play. This time, he would probably have the chance to taste his first “real” international experience.
With the Habs, the 26-year-old athlete will start his 39th game this season on Thursday evening. He has 16 wins so far, a .903 save percentage and a 3.38 goals-against-average. Those numbers aren’t impressive on their own, but his five-on-five stats rather describe a goaltender who, being bombarded from all sides, has kept his head above water all season.
At five-to-five, his .919 save percentage puts him among the most outstanding members of his profession on a team called to miss the playoffs.
The formation selected by Doug Armstrong, general manager of the St. Louis Blues and the Canadian team, has not yet been formalized. Among the goaltenders, Jordan Binnington (St-Louis), Tristan Jarry (Pittsburgh), Darcy Kuemper (Washington) and Cam Talbot (Ottawa) could also receive invitations.
At the Habs, we already know that Martin St-Louis declined an offer to be part of the coaching staff. Separated from his family for the entire NHL season, he wanted to return home to Connecticut.
Nick Suzuki and Mike Matheson (Canada), Joel Armia and Jesse Ylönen (Finland), Jordan Harris and Sean Farrell (USA) appear as the main candidates likely to receive a call-up from their respective national teams.
