by Chris G, Digital Radio Producer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
BROSSARD, QC. — The final day of the 2014 Montreal Canadiens Development Camp consisted a three period scrimmage between the team’s prospects. The prospects were greeted by a full house of fans at the Bell Sports Complex, host of this week’s camp. That’s right, the rink was packed on a sunny Friday morning in July! This city loves its team. After the team photo and warm ups, 41 of 51 players invited to camp played in the scrimmage. Team A went on to easily beat Team B, by a score of 8-2.
Game Notes:
- Jiri Sekac was the best player on the ice. Even though he did not score, his level of play was superior than the rest of the players on the ice. He played great both sides of the ice. His linemate Sven Andrighetto is quick on his skates and was involved in every shift. Jacob De La Rose played well but was not as visible as he should have been considering that there is a open spot with the NHL team up for grabs in training camp.
- Charles Hudon was also impressive. He scored two goals and also also had a couple more scoring chances on which he wasn’t able to capitalize. His second goal was a one-handed shot that beat Hayden Hawkey top corner on the glove side.
- Patrick Holland scored a pair of goals for Team A. He seemed to have good chemistry with his linemates Mark MacMillan and Christian Thomas. Thomas setup Holland’s second goal with a beautiful pass from behind the net in the first period.
- Canadiens first round draft pick Nikita Scherbak seemed nervous to start off the game as he was not able to control routine passes but the nerves went away as the game progressed. Scherbak ended up having a great game.
- Michael McCarron was the biggest player on the ice. He played well but I was expecting more from him considering his linemate Charles Hudon played an amazing game.
- Zachary Fucale was in goal for Team A during the second half of the game. He didn’t face many difficult shots but he did look bad in the only goal he allowed as a Andrighetto shot from the corner of the rink went through the goaltender before knocking it in to his own goal.
- Bokondji Imama, an invited player, threw several body checks throughout the entire scrimmage.
- Dylan Corson, son of former Habs winger Shayne Corson, and Stefano Momesso, son of former Habs player Sergio Momesso, played together on Team A’s fourth line. Shayne and Sergio were teammates from 1985-88.
Team A (White):
Forwards
Scherbak – Hudon – McCarron
Holland – MacMillan – Thomas
Nevins – Highmore – McNally
Momesso – Goulet – Corson
Defencemen
Wardley – Didier
Federico – Makowski
Bobyk – Ellis
Agosta
Goaltenders
Fucale
Motte
Team B (Red):
Forwards
De La Rose – Audette – Sekac
Sorkin – Andrighetto – Grégoire
Szmatula – Anas – Padakin
Imama – Ranger – Schmalz
Defencemen
Bennett – Koberstein
Crevier-Morin – Lernout
Curcuruto – Muto
Goaltenders
Hawkey
Papirny
Final score
Team A: 8 Scorers: Hudon (2), Holland (2), Thomas, Nevins, Didier (2)
Team B: 2 Scorers: Szmatula, Andrighetto
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Sekac was a man against boys in this camp (literally and figuratively). He looks like he could be ready for a spot on the third line this year but we will have to see how he looks at training camp against seasoned pros. Skating and shooting all look good though and he has pretty good hands. The way he moves when he has the puck makes me think of Lars Eller.
I agree that Sekac was far superior than the rest of the prospects at the camp. If there are no more moves until the beginning of the season, I agree that there is a good chance that Sekac makes the team.
Thanks for reading!