by Kathy K., Associate Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC—As per Drummondville’s Journal l’Express, former Canadiens’ fourth rounder Olivier Archambault will be re-entering the draft, as he was unable to convince Marc Bergevin’s crew to sign him to an entry-level contract before the June 1st deadline. The Drummondville Voltigeurs’ forward recorded 66 points in 64 games last season, but failed to play at the level of talent that saw him be picked first overall in the 2009 QMJHL Entry Draft by Val-d’Or.
The 20-year old Archambault had a brief stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs after the Voltigeurs were eliminated this spring. He recorded a goal and an assist in 10 games.
While 20-year olds have been drafted for a second time in the past, it is an unconventional choice for NHL teams, especially in recent history. A variety of options have opened up to interested parties, including (but not limited to) NHL rookie camp invites and AHL/ECHL tryouts and contracts.
Read more (French): Archambault : le CH lance la serviette
That’s right, M. Archambault played his way out of the NHL, and into a career selling kazoos at Archambault. I hope he likes re-stocking Mozart CDs!
Slight correction: Mr. Archambault was not drafted by the Canadiens in the fifth round, but rather the fourth round in 2011, ahead of Magnus Nygren and Darren Dietz.
Hated the pick as soon as I read the writeups on him, and saw him being interviewed, rubbed me the wrong way immediately. Not a big loss, not a bad idea to swing for the fences with a talented underachiever in the fourth round, but it didn’t work this time. With Marc Bergevin now at the helm, and the premium he puts on character, it’s doubtful that the team would make the same choice again.
Aha! Thanks for that. Maybe it was wishful thinking that he was “only” a fifth round pick 😉 or perhaps I’m generally just used to fifth rounders being from the Q!