Checking in on the Habs prospects developing in the Canadian Hockey League
ByEvan Milner @CanadiensMTL / canadiens.com
MONTREAL - The plethora of CHL graduates on the Canadiens' roster is no secret and nor is the fact the junior circuit is the largest development league in the world.
The CHL - comprised of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) - has longtime been the dominant source of player production for the NHL.
Though the gap is narrowing on the strength of the NCAA's rise, the junior league, made up of 52 Canadian clubs and eight more in the United States, continues to develop prospects at a rapid pace.
According to the organization's website, 405 CHL alumni were named to NHL opening day rosters this season (including injured and non-roster players). Of the total, the Habs scored 18 alums, tying the club for third most in the League.
Given the Canadiens' elite assortment of prospects currently in the Canadian junior ranks - including one who has already made his NHL debut - it's more likely than not that the bleu-blanc-rouge stays well represented by former CHL stars for years to come.
As it stands, the 60-team circuit boasts nine Montreal prospects: two in the QMJHL, six in the OHL and one in the WHL.
Here's how the crop of coast-to-coast talent fared this season:
Joshua Roy, Forward, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL) Drafted 150th overall by Montreal in 2021
Once again, Joshua Roy showcased excellence with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in his fourth season in the Q.
The Canadiens' fifth round pick in 2021 tied for seventh in QMJHL scoring with 99 points (46 goals, 53 assists) in 55 games. Roy, who hails from St-Georges-De-Beauce, QC, added 24 points in 14 games in the postseason. Earlier in May, the Habs hopeful was named the league's Personality of the Year for the second consecutive season.
The 19-year-old also added a pair of gold medals to his memorabilia in the last 10 months at the 2022 and 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships. In August, he collected eight points in seven games for Canada, before adding 11 in seven at the latest edition of the tournament. His 19 career points at the championship is the most by any Quebec-born player in WJC history.
Roy is under contract with the Canadiens through the 2024-25 season.
Riley Kidney, Forward, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) Drafted 63rd overall by Montreal in 2021
Riley Kidney, another offensive juggernaut in the Habs' pipeline, split time between the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and the Gatineau Olympiques in 2022-23.
Between the New Brunswick-based club and the Western Quebec powerhouse, Kidney totaled 110 points (28 goals, 82 assists), tied for fourth most in the Q this season. In the playoffs, the 20-year-old continued to torch opponents with 22 points in 13 outings.
The Halifax, NS native played three games at the World Juniors in August, but missed out on a chance to don the Maple Leaf in front of his hometown crowd when he was injured at Team Canada's selection camp for the 2023 tournament.
Montreal signed the forward to a three-year, entry-level contract (through 2024-25) last May.
Owen Beck, Forward, Peterborough Petes (OHL) Drafted 33rd overall by Montreal in 2022
Owen Beck is the lone prospect on this list to have made his NHL debut, having suited up for the Habs on January 28 in Ottawa.
After putting up 41 points in 30 games with the Mississauga Steelheads in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign, Beck was sent eastbound on the Trans-Canada Highway where he landed with his hometown Peterborough Petes. Once arrived with the maroon-and-white, the centerman posted 7-18-25 totals in 30 contests, bringing his season total to 66 points in 60 outings.
His 58.6% success rate in the faceoff circle during the regular season ranked second in the league among qualified players (60 or more faceoffs attempted).
In 22 playoff games, the second-round pick collected 16 points.
Beck and the Petes are headed to the Memorial Cup, from May 26 - June 4 in Kamloops, BC, after winning the OHL Championship Series on May 21.
The Canadiens and Beck agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal last October.
Logan Mailloux, Defenseman, London Knights (OHL) Drafted 31st overall by Montreal in 2021
Logan Mailloux patrolled the blueline for the London Knights this year, but also provided massive contributions on the offensive end.
The 6-foot-3 defenseman scored 25 goals for the Knights this season, the most among all rearguards in the OHL. His 28 assists brought his regular season point total to 53 in 58 games. In the playoffs, Mailloux averaged over a point-per-game with 24 in 21 meetings.
Montreal signed the first-round pick to a three-year, entry-level contract in October 2022.
Filip Mesar, Forward, Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Drafted 26th overall by Montreal in 2022
Filip Mesar played his first season in North America with the Kitchener Rangers.
The Slovak produced at a near point-per-game rate with the Blueshirts, notching 51 points (17 goals, 34 assists) in 52 games. He added one goal and three assists in nine postseason outings.
Mesar also represented Slovakia at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he tallied six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in five contests.
The 19-year-old is signed through the 2024-25 campaign.
Cedrick Guindon, Forward, Owen Sound Attack (OHL) Drafted 127th overall by Montreal in 2022
Cedrick Guindon recently completed his second season with the Owen Sound Attack - the same club that Nick Suzuki spent the majority of his junior career with.
The 2004-born Guindon was on the north side of the point-per-game pace, earning 69 points (22 goals, 47 assists) in 68 games during the regular season and five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in four playoff outings.
Vinzenz Rohrer, Forward, Ottawa 67's (OHL) Drafted 75th overall by Montreal in 2022
Vinzenz Rohrer's second year in North America saw a gentle uptick in productivity as he continued to develop in the Canadian capital.
The Austrian's season total in 2022-23 counted 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 54 games, compared to 48 points in 64 meetings last year.
Rohrer, still only 18 years of age, represented Austria at the 2023 WJC where he managed three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in five games. He will be eligible to return to the 2024 tournament.
Daniil Sobolev, Defenseman, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) Drafted 142nd overall by Montreal in 2021
Daniil Sobolev, a product of St. Petersburg, RUS, wrapped up his second season with the Windsor Spitfires with one goal and eight assists in 48 games.
The defenseman, drafted in the fifth round in 2021, posted a plus-12 differential for the Western Ontario club.
Jared Davidson, Forward, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) Drafted 130th overall by Montreal in 2022
Jared Davidson was the backbone of the Seattle Thunderbirds' attack in his fifth year with the organization.
The Edmonton, AB native led his team in scoring with 82 points (38 goals, 44 assists) in 60 games during the regular season. His offensive prowess has transitioned seamlessly into the playoffs where he netted 11 goals and added 12 helpers in 19 outings.
Davidson and the Thunderbirds won the WHL Championship on May 20 to punch their ticket to the Memorial Cup.
Stay tuned for the next Canadiens prospect report when we check in on our players in the American Hockey League.
