Busy in Brossard

BROSSARD - It might only be early September, but it's definitely feeling like October at the Bell Sports Complex.

Nineteen players took part in Tuesday morning's group skate on the South Shore, including forwards Tomas Plekanec, Nicolas Deslauriers, Artturi Lehkonen, Max Domi, Nikita Scherbak, Joel Armia, Matthew Peca, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Lukas Vejdemo, Daniel Audette and Antoine Waked.

In Peca's case, it marked his first opportunity to get a feel for the rink after signing a two-year contract with the Canadiens on July 1st.
"It feels great being here. It's good to get your feet wet early and meet some of the guys and start to feel comfortable," said Peca. "You could tell just how hungry everybody is. Everyone's on each other in the weight room and on the ice making sure that there's a good pace out there."
Defensemen Jeff Petry, Karl Alzner, Jordie Benn, David Schlemko, Rinat Valiev, David Sklenicka and Michal Moravcik also hit the ice, along with goaltender Antti Niemi.

Before the group session began, Andrew Shaw skated with Canadiens head athletic therapist, Graham Rynbend, as he continues to rehab from left knee surgery.
Defenseman Scott Walford was on the ice with Shaw as well.
ROOKIE CAMP REMINDER
The Canadiens will open their annual Rookie Camp on Thursday, September 6th at the Bell Sports Complex.
Thirty players are slated to participate
.
On Friday, September 7th, the NHL Rookie Showdown will begin at Place Bell in Laval. The Canadiens' prospects will open play against the best and brightest in the Ottawa Senators' system at 7 p.m. ET.

The Habs rookies will be back in action on Sunday, September 9th against the Toronto Maple Leafs' future stars with an afternoon tilt beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
To purchase NHL Rookie Showdown tickets,
click here
.
TRAINING CAMP REMINDER
The Canadiens will open their main training camp on Thursday, September 13th at the Bell Sports Complex.
Claude Julien's troops will play a friendly intrasquad scrimmage at the Bell Centre on Sunday, September 16th beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
To purchase tickets for the Red vs. White Intrasquad Scrimmage,
click here
.