HABS ROSTER UPDATE | Montreal Canadiens Sign Prospects Ryan Poehling and Cayden Primeau to Three-Year, Entry-level Contracts

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — Following Saturday’s 3-1 win in Winnipeg, the Canadiens slim playoff hopes are still alive. With Habs fans still savouring the victory, they were treated to more good news on Sunday as Marc Bergevin announced the signing of two top prospects, forward Ryan Poehling and goaltender Cayden Primeau.

The NCAA season had come to an end for each player on the weekend. Competing in the Division I Hockey Semifinals, St. Cloud State was upset by American International College 2-1 on Friday night disappointing Poehling and his top-ranked Huskies.

Primeau and his Northeastern University team was ousted by Cornell by the score of 5-1 on Saturday. 

On Sunday, the Canadiens signed Poehling and Primeau to three-year, NHL entry-level contracts.

Poehling, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound centerman, was selected by the Canadiens in the first round, 25th overall at the 2017 NHL Draft. The 20 year-old has played 107 games for St. Cloud State over three seasons, recording 29 goals, 46 assists for 75 points.

The Lakeville, Minnesota native had eight goals, 23 assists for 31 points in 36 games this season with the Huskies. Poehling was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference team in 2016-17 as well as First Team All-NCHC honours in 2018-19.

Poehling has represented Team USA at the 2018 and 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. While collecting a silver medal in 2019, Poehling was named Tournament MVP and the Best Forward at the tournament finishing with five goals and three assists in seven games.

Ryan Poehling will join the Montreal Canadiens for their remaining games this season.

Primeau, a 6-foot-3, 191-pound goalie, was selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round, 199th overall at the 2017 NHL Draft. The 19 year-old has a 44-18-6 record, a 2.00 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and eight shutouts over two seasons for Northeastern University.

The Voorhees, New Jersey native recorded a 25-10-1 record in 36 games with the Huskies this season. Primeau earned a 2.09 goals-against average, a .933 save percentage and four shutouts. Primeau was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team in 2018-19.

In 2017-2018, Primeau was named to both the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and First All-Star Team, and earned Goaltender of the Year honours. 

Like Poehling, Primeau also received a silver medal at the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship playing for Team USA. Primeau posted a 4-1-0 record, with a 1.61 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.

Primeau will join the Laval Rocket for the remainder of their season signing a professional tryout contract.

with notes from Elias Laradi, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine