Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Samuel Montembeault, Frederik Dichow, Justin Barron, Lane Hutson, Joel Armia, Sean Farrell, Luke Tuch, Otto Leskinen, Frederic Allard, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The first weekend of the IIHF World Championships is in the books in Finland and Latvia and all seven representatives of the Canadiens organization got a taste of the competition.
In goal, Sam Montembeault made 23 saves on Friday to record a shutout in Canada’s 6-0 win against Latvia. Prospect Frederik Dichow has two victories under his belt helping Denmark defeat Hungary and France. The Canadiens fifth round draft pick in 2019 has 1.97 goals against average and .907 save percentage in two starts.
#Habs goalie Samuel Montembeault made 23 saves to record shutout in #Canada's 6-0 win vs #Latvia.
Here are some of his best saves of the game. #GoHabsGo #Hockey pic.twitter.com/LHZmn6DrwG
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) May 13, 2023
On defense, Justin Barron has been kept off the scoresheet through two games. In Canada’s win against Slovenia on Sunday, the defenceman took four shots on goal. Barron’s ice time decreased from 13:06 in the opening match to 9:19 in the second match.
#Habs defenceman Justin Barron was held off the scoresheet in Canada's 5-2 win vs Slovenia on Sunday.
Barron took four shots on goal in 9:19 of ice time#GoHabsGo #Hockey pic.twitter.com/F5PiSsggOs
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) May 14, 2023
Lane Hutson collected one assist and plus-4 through the United States’ two victories, averaging 16 minutes of ice time.
On attack, Joel Armia had one goal on his only shot on goal in Finland’s two games over the weekend. The Canadiens forward averaged 15 minutes of play and is minus-1.
#Habs forward Joel Armia scored his first goal of the tournament in Finland's 4-3 win vs Germany on Saturday.
Armia took two shots on goal in 13 minutes of play#GoHabsGo #Hockey pic.twitter.com/6AKpNhJqFo
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) May 14, 2023
Sean Farrell was blanked in his country’s two wins, recording three shots on goal and averaging almost 11 minutes of ice time. His teammate Luke Tuch got his first opportunity on Sunday and scored for his country. The Canadiens second round draft pick in 2020 was on the ice for 8:51 and finished at plus-1.
#Habs prospect Sean Farrell was held off the scoresheet during USA's 7-1 win on Sunday vs #Hungary.
The forward had a couple of quality scoring chances during the contest #GoHabsGo #Hockey pic.twitter.com/TjVjid70O8
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) May 14, 2023
Disappointed with Laval
Defenceman Otto Leskinen and Frederic Allard will not return with the organization next season after signing contracts overseas.
Leskinen signed a two-year contract with Tappara in the Finnish league. The 26-year old played 24 games for the Rocket this season before suffering an injury in December that required a season ending hip surgery.
Otto Leskinen signed a contract with Tappara in the Finnish league. This season, the defenceman collected 8 points in 24 games with #Rocket.
Here's the goal that scored#GoHabsGo #GoRocket #AHL #Hockey pic.twitter.com/plOd5qzxPF
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) May 11, 2023
Allard signed a two-year contract with Lulea in Sweden. The 25-year old was acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Kings in return for forward Nate Schnarr. Allard dressed for the three games with the Canadiens but never seemed to be in Laval’s plans.
“I had such a great experience with the Canadiens. I lived my dream of playing for the Canadiens, and reached the highest of the highs, but also the lowest of the lows! In Laval, I did not play. I wish I had my chance,” Allard said in an interview with Journal de Montreal newspaper.
Despite his nearly 300-game experience in the AHL, Jean-Francois Houle dressed Allard only for five-regular season games and once in the playoffs. “With the end of my season with the Rocket, I knew my chances of returning were slim. I saw that I was not part of the plans,” justified his decision to go to Sweden.
Frederic Allard signed a contract with Lulea of the SHL. This season, the defenceman played 6 games with #Rocket and 3 games with #Habs.
He scored 1 goal in a playoff game vs #Comets #GoHabsGo #GoRocket #AHL #NHL pic.twitter.com/1RDZmdZ40A
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) May 11, 2023
Lions in Debt
On Thursday, Deacon Sports and Entertainment (DSE), owners of the Trois-Rivieres Lions, received a formal notice from the city to settle a debt of nearly $600,000. DSE has 10 days to respond to the city. The amount represents the rent for the Colisee Videotron for the season and the city’s percentage of ticket sales. Reports of DSE financial issues surfaced during the season when suppliers claimed not receiving amounts owed.
Attendance in the Lions second season decreased 13 percent from the inaugural season. In his final press conference as the president, Mark Weightman explained the dip due to the novelty losing effect and the team’s win-loss record.
The club announced in a press release that the team is committed to Trois-Rivieres. “The Lions de Trois-Rivières’ 2023-24 season is not at risk. DSE has confirmed on several occasions that the Lions will be in the Mauricie region for many years to come. The ECHL also requires a financial guarantee from all its teams in January of each year to ensure their commitment for the coming season. DSE has provided this guarantee in due form, and the 2023-24 Lions’ regular season schedule will be unveiled in the coming weeks.”
Cogeco Media 106.9FM reported that Quebec based Fix Auto has discussed with DSE for a potential sale of the team. “DSE reiterates that it is not actively seeking new investors in their project currently. However, to respect confidentiality, no comment will be issued by the organization should it conduct discussions with a third party about such a transaction,” addressed the rumour in the press release.
Changes Coming in Trois-Rivieres | Lions Notepad #Featured #TroisRivieresLions https://t.co/gp3DE5ndSb pic.twitter.com/nHkm5Athsd
— AHL Report (@TheAHLReport) May 1, 2023
Listen to the Canadiens Connection podcast
Can the Montreal Canadiens and their fans endure a test of patience with their two first-round draft picks in 2023?
Here’s a brand new episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast!
Listen in the player below, share and subscribe!
By Chris G., Senior Writer
Habs Hockey Report
Copyright © 2023 Rocket Sports
===