No star prospects at Canadiens’ rookie camp, but plenty of gems to polish

BROSSARD — Montreal Canadiens fans have been spoiled during the team’s rookie camp in recent years, having had the opportunity to watch top prospects like Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov turn heads.

The Habs faithful heading to the CN Sports Complex in Brossard or the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, Que., over the coming days won’t experience quite the same excitement.

Of the 23 players invited to the Canadiens’ rookie camp and Prospect Showdown, only three have already signed NHL contracts: forward Tyler Thorpe, and defencemen Luke Mittelstadt and Owen Protz.

Goaltender Arseni Radkov, selected 82nd overall, was the only player selected in the top 100 of his draft year.

“Every year, there are some great finds, even among the invited players,” said Martin Laperrière, an assistant coach with the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate. “Arber Xhekaj was an invited player who didn’t arrive with an impressive resumé, but he earned his spot. Jake Evans was a late-round pick, but he managed to establish himself over the years.

“They’re gems, but you just have to polish them a little, even if it takes them more time,” he added.

The Canadiens’ most intriguing prospects — including Michigan Wolverines standout Michael Hage — are not participating in rookie camp because they play in the NCAA, which does not allow its players to take part, or in Europe, where the leagues have already begun their seasons.

This year’s prospects camp will therefore be less interesting, even for diehard hockey fans, but it will be just as exciting for Daniel Jacob, who’s running it for the first time.

Jacob was promoted to head coach of the Rocket over the summer after seven seasons as an assistant coach in the American Hockey League, including five with Laval.

“As a hockey coach, every player excites me, even the ones I didn’t know,” he said. “We went through video clips with their respective teams to do our homework and understand who we’ll be working with over the rest of the weekend.

“I’m excited for everyone. That’s the goal of a rookie camp. Personally, I’m fired up.”

The Canadiens will play two games at the Slush Puppie Centre this weekend, against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon and the Ottawa Senators on Sunday evening.

Jacob, Laperrière and the Canadiens’ management team will therefore try to find a hidden gem while also assessing where the team’s other prospects currently stand.

Laperrière noted that all invited players who eventually break into the NHL are driven by an especially strong passion for hockey.

“They’re often players who will work hard away from the spotlight,” he emphasized. “They’re persistent and show resilience.”

IN GOOD HANDS

The Rocket will have a new head coach for the third time in four seasons. Pascal Vincent, who succeeded Jean-François Houle, is now an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken after two seasons at the helm of the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate.

This time, the Canadiens’ management chose continuity by promoting Jacob, who had been responsible for the Rocket’s defencemen for the past two seasons under Pascal.

Jacob was a longtime protégé of Syracuse Crunch coach and general manager Joël Bouchard. Laperrière described him as a coach who pays attention to details, is curious, and isn’t afraid to ask for other people’s opinions.

“The players will certainly benefit from his experience,” Laperrière stressed.

Assistant coach David Urquhart, who briefly played with Jacob at McGill University about 20 years ago, praised the new Rocket head coach’s leadership qualities. He also noted that everyone within the organization understands the club’s objective.

“The most important thing is helping the players improve every day, because our goal is to help players eventually play for the Montreal Canadiens,” he said. “So we want them to develop championship habits to play in the National Hockey League.”

After this weekend’s games, the Canadiens’ rookie camp will continue at the CN Sports Complex until Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2026.

Alexis Bélanger-Champagne, The Canadian Press