The Montreal Canadiens have officially announced the recall of four players from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Laval Rocket. This decision, made on a recent Monday, includes forwards Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj, alongside defensemen Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher. They will serve as black aces for the upcoming playoffs.
Recall Details
The players’ recall comes on the heels of the Laval Rocket’s elimination in the North Division Semifinal series. The decisive game took place on Saturday, ending their playoff run.
Player Performances
- Owen Beck: Beck concluded his stint with Laval by leading the team in postseason scoring, achieving three goals and two assists for a total of five points in five playoff games. In the regular season, he displayed solid performance, recording 13 goals and 20 assists in 58 games.
- Adam Engstrom: The defenseman excelled offensively, accumulating 34 points in 45 games, comprising 10 goals and 24 assists. Engstrom’s performance made him the top scoring defenseman for the Rocket.
- David Reinbacher: A former fifth-overall draft pick, Reinbacher scored five goals and provided 19 assists for 24 points in 57 games. He concluded his season with an impressive +18 differential.
- Florian Xhekaj: Xhekaj contributed significantly with 29 points, including 17 goals and 12 assists over 64 games. He also added a goal and an assist during the playoffs, while his 182 penalty minutes ranked fourth in the AHL for the season.
NHL Debuts
All three defensemen—Engstrom, Reinbacher, and Xhekaj—made their NHL debuts with the Canadiens during this season, showcasing their readiness for the higher level of competition.
The recalls signal the Canadiens’ intention to incorporate young talent as they prepare for the playoffs ahead. The organization aims to leverage these players’ recent experiences in Laval to strengthen their roster moving forward.
