Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Rookie Camp, Bell Centre, Scotty Bowman, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Jake Allen, Kevin Poulin, Trois-Rivieres Lions, ECHL

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — Puck drop for the start of the 2021-22 season is inching closer and closer. The Canadiens rookie camp begins on Wednesday with 27 players participating at the Bell Sports Complex Brossard until September 21st.

With the Red versus White intra-squad scrimmage on September 26th, the arena staff put the finishing touches to prepare the Bell Centre ice.

Ça commence à sentir le hockey ici.

Looks like hockey season.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/T8Bhr3OAqN

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 10, 2021

The Canadiens will play a total of six exhibition matches before facing the Maple Leafs in Toronto on October 13th to commence the regular season.

Magnifique. ✨

It's beautiful.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/pL7NaZzgNX

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2021

 

Bowman Honoured

On Friday, the Verdun Auditorium’s main arena was renamed in the honour of former Canadiens coach Scotty Bowman. “I don’t know if this brings closure to my career, but this is a great honour because I’m from here and I played all my sports in Verdun,” said the 87-year old.

Bowman coached the Canadiens 732 games through eight seasons from 1971 to 1979. He led the team to five Stanley Cup victories during his tenure. During his legendary career, Bowman was behind the bench for 2,494 games with the Blues, Canadiens, Sabres, Penguins, and Red Wings, and won a total of nine Stanley Cups.

The facility has hosted several QMJHL teams, most recently the Montreal Junior, since it was built in 1938.

Harvey-Pinard Ready for Camp

On Thursday, LaPresse spoke to Canadiens prospect Rafael Harvey-Pinard at the launch event of the 2021-22 M18 AAA season. Harvey-Pinard will participate in this week’s rookie camp before taking part of main camp starting September 22nd.

“I would definitely like to play a couple of games [in the NHL] during the season, that would be my goal,” said the 22 year old. It’s a stretch objective for Harvey-Pinard with all the wingers currently under contract with Montreal.

“I’m not headed to camp thinking that I will start in the American Hockey League (AHL). I’m going at 100 percent to earn a spot, even if it’s not necessarily in the short term plans for me.”

The Jonquiere native was selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round, 201st overall, at the 2019 NHL entry draft. Last season, the forward recorded nine goals and 11 assists in 36 games with the Rocket. He was the only player along with defenceman Corey Schueneman to dress in all of the team’s matches.

“I’m going to camp and give everything I have. If I can continue to work the way I do, things will go well. I’m excited, I’m looking forward to proving what I can do. If I return to Laval, it’s not the end of the world, I can continue to develop.”

In his rookie season of professional hockey, Harvey-Pinard was primarily on a line with veterans Jordan Weal, and Yannick Veilleux. Former Laval coach Joel Bouchard complimented Harvey-Pinard’s work ethic throughout the year.

New Goalie Masks

On Saturday, artist David Gunnarson posted a short video of Jake Allen‘s goalie mask for the upcoming season. The Bauer mask painted in the Canadiens colours includes an hommage to Patrick Roy.

Last season, Allen won 11 of the 27 starts, recording a 2.68 goals against average, and .907 save percentage. The goalie made no appearances in the Habs playoff run.

The Rocket shared a picture of Kevin Poulin‘s new mask. The Bauer mask has team’s logo on top, along with a rocket on each side that was drawn by his children.

Poulin signed a one-year one-way AHL contract with the Rocket on June 28th, after skating in the Swedish League last season. In 30 games with Bjorkloven IF, he won 20 times while registering a 2.23 goals against average and .915 save percentage.

https://twitter.com/RocketLaval/status/1436721200009555968

Lions Pre-Training Camp

The Trois-Rivieres Lions pre-training camp began on Sunday at the Colisee Videotron. A total of 21 forwards, 12 defencemen and four goalies hit the ice. The 37 players participating are from from Usports, LNAH, and QMJHL. Head coach Eric Belanger along with assistant coach Pascal Rheaume are running the camp that runs through Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/Lions3r/status/1437072824733143051?s=20

On Thursday, the Canadiens ECHL affiliate announced major sponsorship agreements with Videotron and TVA Sports. The 4,500 arena that cost $60,6-million was inaugurated on Sunday in Trois-Rivieres.

https://twitter.com/Lions3r/status/1437058844136460288?s=20

“Sport, an active lifestyle, and quality of life are the foundations of this major project. The resident have something to be proud of this new infrastructure bringing together our sports organizations and elite sports. Trois-Rivieres now has a centerpiece for the development of its sport tourism,” said the mayor Jean Lamarche via press release.

General manager Marc-Andre Bergeron hit the ice for the first time on Saturday. “I have the impression of being like a child who discovers his toy,” said the former Canadiens defenceman.

https://twitter.com/Lions3r/status/1436704329830965250?s=20

The Lions open their inaugural season with three home matches against the Newfoundland Growlers starting on Thursday, October 21st.

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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