MONTREAL – It was not an easy task to narrow this list down to five players.

TICKETS: 2024 Prospect Showdown

The abundant talent and skill in the Canadiens’ prospect pool alone significantly highlights its depth. Montreal’s pipeline is brimming with a balanced blend of forwards, defensemen, and goalies. Some of these players will be available for Pascal Vincent to utilize in the Prospect Showdown against the hopefuls from the Toronto Maple Leafs. This will take place at the Bell Centre on Sept. 14 and 15.

Watch out for these prominent names:

As of September 3, the Canadiens 2024 Rookie Camp roster has yet to be announced. The names included below are based off presumption and eligibility.

Lane Hutson – Defenseman
Drafted 62^nd overall by Montreal in 2022

Admission is undoubtedly worth it just for Lane Hutson alone. The 20-year-old ended his extraordinary college career with 97 points in 77 games at Boston University, before joining the Canadiens. Hutson concluded the previous season in Montreal’s defensive line, nabbing two assists in his first two NHL games. He will likely be a player to keep an eye on during the upcoming two-game series.

Owen Beck – Center
Drafted 33^rd overall by Montreal in 2022

Owen Beck’s achievements since his draft to the Canadiens two summers ago are too numerous to list without taking up a significant amount of time. The native of Peterborough, ON has a winning record at every stage, from the World Juniors to the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup. Now, as 20-year-old Beck shifts to the professional level, the only remaining question is whether he will begin the season in Laval or move directly to Montreal.

Logan Mailloux – Defenseman
Drafted 31^st overall by Montreal in 2021

Logan Mailloux, originally from Belle River, ON, made a significant impact in the professional hockey circuit last season. He set a new record for the Laval Rocket franchise for most goals scored by a defenseman in a single season and received AHL All-Star honors. During his first season with the Canadiens’ minor-league affiliate, he accumulated 47 points in 72 games. This impressive performance led to a much-deserved promotion to Montreal’s season finale. In his debut NHL game, the 21-year-old defenseman, known for his towering presence, registered his first career NHL point within 21:14 minutes of ice time.

Florian Xhekaj – Left Wing
Drafted 101^st overall by Montreal in 2023

20-year-old Florian Xhekaj from Hamilton, ON is well aware of the significance of Rookie Camp. He witnessed his brother, Arber, rise to prominence two seasons ago and secure a position in the Canadiens’ 23-man roster at the start of the season. Now, Florian, who increased his offensive output by 160% last season, is eager to emulate his brother’s success. The upcoming weekend series against the Leafs may just be practice games, but for this tenacious winger, they’re anything but trivial!

David Reinbacher – Defenseman
Drafted 5^th overall by Montreal in 2023

Supporters of the Habs were able to see Reinbacher’s potential towards the end of the previous season when he moved from Europe to North America. The youngster, who hails from Hohenems, Austria, managed to score an impressive five points during his 11-game stint. Even though there is a surplus of defensemen on Montreal’s roster, the 19-year-old has been vocal about his wish to play in the NHL this season.

Honorable mentions

Adam Engstrom, who signed his entry-level contract in May, may be seen by the Montreal faithful on North American ice for the first time. At the same time, Filip Mesar is aiming for a standout season as he transitions into the professional ranks.

Rookie Camp serves different purposes for different players; while some aim to make a good initial impression, others view it as an opportunity to grab a second or third chance. However, it’s a common occurrence that almost every year, a minimum of one player progresses far into training camp or even bags a spot on the team. Last season, this player was Emil Heineman, and the previous year, Xhekaj and Beck, who was among the last to be cut from the Canadiens, achieved this feat. So, the question is, who could it be this season?

Find out when the journey starts on Sept. 14 and 15 at the Bell Centre. Tickets start at just $10! Get yours while supplies last.