Hockey Profiles | Montreal Canadiens, Habs, NHL, Nick Suzuki, Vegas Golden Knights, OHL, Guelph Storm, Owen Sound Attack, Team Canada

Welcome to Montreal Canadiens player profiles. In this series, you will find a bi-weekly breakdown of a player who is a highly-regarded prospect or a member of the Canadiens organization. 

In this player breakdown you will find a brief background, junior or college experience, a scouting profile, professional experience and a career trajectory.

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA — Up first, we are featuring the recent recipient of a crisp, new eight-year contract extension worth a total of $63 million, an annual average value of $7.875 (AAV). It is a well-deserved number for the 22-year-old, future star center, Nick Suzuki.

“I love the city of Montreal, I love playing, I love being a Canadien, and to do that, hopefully for the next nine years, is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Nick Suzuki, after signing his new deal. “It’s huge for me and my family, and we’re really happy that it all worked out.”

Background

Nick Suzuki was born and raised in London, Ontario. He played his minor hockey with the London Junior Knights, members of the Alliance Ontario loop, from 2013-’15. Nick put up 34 goals and 34 assists for 68 points in his U16 season and that same year also played one game with the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, a world renowned major midget program.

His brother, younger by two years, Ryan Suzuki, is a prospect of the Carolina Hurricanes and is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

His proud parents are Amanda and Rob Suzuki. They still reside in London, Ontario and are very active on Twitter: @amandazukes and @rdsuzuki.

Junior Experience

Nick was drafted 14th overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection draft by the Owen Sound Attack. The pool was loaded with offensive talent featuring prominent names such as Gabe Vilardi, Ryan McLeod, Owen Tippett, Isaac Ratcliffe, and Jack Studnicka.

Suzuki made the Attack roster during his rookie season, which ended up being a big transition year for Owen Sound. An entirely new coaching staff was brought in and many future core players carved out their respective roles.

The impressive group of 2015-’16 Owen Sound rookies, alongside Suzuki, also featured  center Matthew Struthers (one-time Laval Rocket), left-winger Jonah Gadjovich (San Jose), and defenceman Sean Durzi (Los Angeles.)

Of note, current Laval Rocket goaltender Michael McNiven was also prominently featured in the Attack net that season as he officially took over the starting role. McNiven went on to capture the 2016-’17 OHL Goaltender of the Year award, but also the similar CHL honor that same season.

On the ice, Suzuki quickly took the league by storm. He more than doubled his offensive output from his rookie to his sophomore season. Going from 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists) to 96 points (45 goals, 51 assists) in 63 and 65 games respectively.

The highest point total he would reach in the OHL occurred in his third season, where the 100 point plateau was reached with 42 goals and 58 assists.

OHL Fan Favorite

Suzuki quickly become a fan favorite in Owen Sound taking spectators young and old out of their seats in excitement at the quaint Harry Lumley Bayshore home rink.

Nick was named an assistant captain in his third year, and took over the captaincy from overager Aidan Dudas (Los Angeles) in his fourth and final year.

Nick’s final OHL season was split between the Attack and the Guelph Storm. After a mid-season trade, along with teammate Sean Durzi, found Nick on a stacked Storm team that would eventually go on to win the OHL Championship.

Suzuki reunited with longtime friend and minor hockey teammate Issac Ratcliffe. Suzuki led the playoffs in scoring, posting an astonishing 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) in only 24 games, good enough to capture the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, recognizing the Playoffs Most Valuable Player.

In addition to the OHL Championship and Playoff MVP Trophies, Nick also captured the William Hanley Most Sportmanlike Player award three years running, along with the CHL Memorial Cup Most Sportsmanlike Player award in his final season.

Suzuki has left a legacy in the small farming community of Owen Sound, the smallest of all 60 CHL markets. To this day, the rink is sprinkled with Suzuki Attack jerseys. On a perfect night, you can even spot a few “14” Habs Jerseys in what is still considered “Leafs Nation.”

Nick Suzuki was instrumental in developing future talent and could often be found volunteering in his off-time with minor hockey teams in not only Owen Sound, but the surrounding small towns that make up this unique community.

Scouting Profile

Suzuki is best known for his high hockey IQ, an attribute that he continues to develop. In junior hockey, he thrived by driving possession at a fast pace with his excellent speed and puck-handling ability. At this level of hockey, his shot was elite and rarely challenged.

As Suzuki transitioned to the NHL, his hockey sense has become more important then ever. He is still a strong play driver at the pro level, but he now balances the fast pace attack with strong decision making and excellent skating ability.

His puck distribution ability continues to improve the more experience he gets. This is highlighted in last seasons Stanley Cup Finals playoff run, where Nick led the team with seven goals, nine assists, and 16 points. Leading the team in every one of those respective categories.

Suzuki also has a decent shot that can be deadly accurate. It is no longer considered elite like it was in the OHL, but there is still a chance that is a skill that can be further developed. For now, his shooting percentage (SH%) sits at 10.8 percent at the NHL level, a slight drop from the 14 percent posted over his OHL career, an encouraging stat is he does continue to take shots, reaching 138 and 110 attempts in the last two shortened NHL regular seasons.

The deceiving aspect and deadly accuracy of this shot as Nick continues to transitions to an elite play-maker at the NHL level will no doubt be an asset for years to come.

Professional Experience

Suzuki is currently in his third year of being an NHL Player. After being drafted 13th overall by the expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, he was traded before ever getting a chance to make the club.

The trade sent Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty to the gambling strip for Suzuki and underachiving utility winger Tomas Tatar. It’s still widely considered to be one of GM Marc Bergevin’s best trades.

Suzuki had an excellent training camp in the fall of 2018, but was wisely sent back to Owen Sound for further development. After winning the OHL Championship and capturing the MVP trophy during the 2018-19 season, Nick was now ready to contend for a full-time roster spot on the Habs.

He did just that, playing in 71 games and posting an impressive 41 points (13 goals , 28 assists). The most impressive part of that rookie season was how quickly Suzuki charged up the Canadiens depth chart with his consistent work ethic and unexpectedly strong two-way play.

A Chance with the Habs

While fellow top center prospect Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Carolina) was bounced in and out of the lineup, and up and down to AHL Laval, Suzuki solidified his spot from day one and never looked back.

In a pandemic shortened 2020-21 season, the sophomore center matched his rookie point total of 41 points but this time in 15 less games. Suzuki`s creativity and play-making ability really started to shine, forcing the Habs to move him into a second line center role.

In the playoffs, Nick Suzuki took over. Leading the team offensively and even taking college standout and high-end sniper Cole Caufield under his wing. The two developed instant chemistry and remained together for the entire run to the Stanley Cup Finals. This is a very rare and incredibly impressive feat for a second year center to add an elite, yet defensively limited, raw rookie sniper and not be exposed on a nightly basis.

Career Trajectory

Nick Suzuki proved last spring that he not only has the offensive capabilities to drive a line on his own, but that he is strong enough defensively to make up for the shortcomings of others. His linemates can include one-way offensive specialists who will help boost his already impressive offensive output to potentially elite status without harming his own end.

Suzuki has all the assets to become a number one centre in the NHL, one that will hit point per game numbers in his prime while not only playing in all situations, but comfortably excelling in those spots.

By Mike Raschle, Staff Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
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