More additions to the Laval Rocket for the 2024-25 Season
Written by Fred Arshoff
Editied by Judy Pitcher
First of all I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her outstanding editing of my articles. Adding facts, information and updating stats between the time I write the article and it’s being published. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.
The following players have signed entry level contracts and joined the Laval Rocket line-up over the last 2 weeks of the 2023-24 season: Florian Xhekaj at center, Lane Hutson on defense and Luke Tuch on left wing.
I decided to write this article to inform people of a couple of other excellent young prospects coming up the pipeline.
Players who have not yet played 3 professional games between them. First we have Owen Beck
who was an emergency call-up by the HABS and played one game during the 2022-23 season.
Second we have Filip Mesar
who played two games with the Laval Rocket in the 2023-24 season before being loaned to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Both Beck and Mesar are offensive-minded forwards who had career highes in goals this season in the OHL.
Mesar was the HABS 1st round pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at 26th overall.For more information on Mesar being loaned to the Kitchener Rangers, please see my article at: https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2023/10/22/filip-mesar-loaned-to-the-kitchener-rangers/
Beck was the HABS 2nd round pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at 33rd overall.
Beck started the 2023-24 season with the Peterborough Petes but was traded to the Saginaw Spirit on January 8, 2024 just prior to the OHL trade deadline. For more information on this trade, please see my article at: https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2024/02/05/owen-beck-traded-and-what-it-means/
To make room for the new arrivals on the Laval Rocket, there are several players who will become UFA’s and RFA’s on July 1, 2024. I’m sure several will most likely be moving on.
The UFA’s are:
Philippe Maillet(center)
Mitchell Stephens(center)
Arnaud Durandeau(winger)
Brady Keeper(defense)
The RFA’s are:
Filip Cederqvist(winger)
Lias Andersson(center/winger)
Justin Barron(defense)
Mattias Norlinder(defense)
As we get closer to July 1, 2024, I will discuss which players I think the HABS will extend and those I feel will not be extended. I wish to wait until then, as trades can be made at the NHL Entry Draft.
For all those wondering about the status of Jacob Fowler
all indications are that he will be returning to the NCAA Boston College Eagles for the 2024-25 season. He can be invited to the HABS post-draft development camp but, must cover all his own expenses including travel, hotel, meals, etc. However, playing in the NCAA means he can not attend the HABS rookie camp.
SOURCE
Montreal Sports 