Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Alex Burrows, Stephane Robidas, Jordan Harris, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Canadiens surprised many people on July 28th by hiring Stephane Robidas as an assistant coach due to his lack of coaching experience. With Luke Richardson’s departure to Chicago, Alex Burrows becomes the most experienced coach at the professional level behind Montreal’s bench.
Burrows began his coaching career in 2018-19 as an assistant coach on Joel Bouchard’s staff with the Rocket. He remained with Laval until Feb. 24th, 2021 before being promoted to Montreal when Claude Julien was relieved of his duties.
The former NHL player noted the new administration’s focus. “There is a new vision and a new team philosophy with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, who are putting development plans in place. With Adam Nicholas, Marie-Philip Poulin who also joined the group. These are the main changes I have seen in the short term,” Burrows told RDS on Friday.
Martin St. Louis and his staff’s priority this season will be on the long term. “We will continue to develop the right culture for long-term success, but at the same time, we understand very well that there is a process and development that will have to be carried out this season. It’s a great challenge for our group of coaches,” added Burrows.
Juraj Slafkovsky left a positive impression with Burrows during development camp. “You see that he is physically ready. He’s strong, he skates well and he has great offensive skills. It will be at the rookie camp and at the Canadiens camp that he will be able to stand out. Hopefully he will carve out a place with our team. We will have to try to find him a place on the power play with the way he is able to throw the puck.”
Harris’ First Pro Camp
After spending four seasons with Northeastern University, Jordan Harris signed a two-year contract with the Canadiens on Mar. 26th. Harris dressed for 10 games to conclude the season, where recorded one goal and average 16:17 of ice time.
#Habs Jordan Harris first career NHL goal as one-timer deflects D-man before crossing red line vs #Panthers
Assists: Evans@AllHabs @RocketSports #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/k4sBSUOgsT
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) April 29, 2022
The upcoming training camp will be Harris’ first as a professional. He is expected to be part of the group of young defencemen that will spend time in Montreal and Laval this season. “It will be an honour to earn a spot in Montreal or Laval,” Harris told La Presse in an interview published on Saturday.
The 22-year old recently had a 15-minute phone conversation with Robidas, the new coach in charge of the defencemen in Montreal. “I asked him for advice as I approach my first training camp. He told me to be myself, trust my instincts and build on my strengths. I can’t wait to meet him,” Harris said about the discussion.
New Start for Brook
Former Canadiens prospect Josh Brook signed a one-year AHL contract on Friday with the Calgary Wranglers. The defenceman missed the majority of last season as he recovered from a knee injury that he suffered on May 15th, 2021 that required surgery.
Brook dressed for six games with the Rocket last season, was held off the scoresheet and finished at minus-5, while averaging 14:23 of ice time. The Canadiens 2017 second round draft pick ended the year in the ECHL, where he dressed for six regular season games, and seven playoff games. In 13 games, he collected six points, plus-3, and averaged 17:48 of ice time.
Lions Addition
The Trois-Rivieres Lions signed forward Nicolas Guay to a one-year contract. Last season, Guay began the season with the University of New Brunswick where he collected 25 points in 18 games. In January, he signed a professional tryout contract with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, where he went scoreless in 16 games.
“I am very happy with this signing since Nicolas is a good player. He has a lot of leadership, and is extremely competitive. His style of play will greatly help us, and please the fans of the Lions,” general manager Marc-Andre Bergeron said via statement.
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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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