Podcast highlights: Rafaël Harvey-Pinard

MONTREAL - After winning the President's Cup and the Memorial Cup, in addition to finishing his Junior career with 110 goals and 262 points in 248 games in the QMJHL, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard is about to face a new challenge.

The Canadiens' seventh-round selection in 2019 agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way contract with the Laval Rocket last May, so he should make his AHL debut on February 5.
Harvey-Pinard recently joined host Marc Dumont on the Canadiens' History in the Making podcast to discuss his NHL Draft experience, his contract with Laval, and to share an anecdote about Nick Suzuki as well.
Read on for a few highlights from the discussion, which is available in its entirety wherever you get your podcasts.
MARC DUMONT: I've always been fascinated with seventh-round picks. Either we get a player that we'll forget about fast or we get a player that attracts attention. Take Jake Evans, for example, who's playing in the NHL, and Cayden Primeau, your future teammate with the Rocket. Does being a seventh-round pick motivate you?
RAFAËL HARVEY-PINARD: Definitely. I want to prove that the pick wasn't in vain. I believe I belong at the next level. I was also drafted as an older player. That could've played a part in why I was picked in the seventh round. I definitely want to prove to people that I could've been picked earlier.
MD: Did the Canadiens give you any indication that they were going to pick you? They even traded away a pick to draft you. Did you have any idea you'd end up with the Montreal Canadiens?
RHP:I knew that the team was interested. I had an interview with Trevor Timmins. I also did some testing in Montreal just before the Draft. I knew there was some interest, but you never really know how things will play out. When it reached Round 7, I saw the Canadiens didn't have many picks left. They finally decided to make a trade with Philadelphia to get me. I was really surprised. My agent texted me. I was at home in the living room with my family. My agent let me know that I'd been drafted. But I didn't really understand things at first because the TV was showing that Philadelphia was picking. I never spoke to the Flyers. I thought it was impossible, but we finally saw the change and Trevor Timmins announced my name. It was a nice moment.

MD: Can you describe what it felt like to hear your name called? What was your reaction?
RHP: When my agent called, I couldn't believe it. I understood, though, when I finally saw my name next to the Montreal Canadiens. I stood up and felt shivers throughout my whole body. It's a tough feeling to describe. It was a joyous moment. I remember that my whole family was crying and we were jumping around. It was special and I won't forget that feeling, especially when you're drafted by your childhood team.
MD: Let's talk about the Rookie Tournament two years ago in Belleville. Do you remember who your linemates were?
RHP: I started camp on the first line with Suzuki and Ryan Poehling. I made the jump when I arrived. I really wasn't expecting to play with those two guys. It was a great experience. Suzuki is playing in the NHL now and he's going to be a star. Poehling scored three goals in his first NHL game. It was a great experience to share the ice with them and I think I did well on that line.
MD: After the Rookie Tournament, you were on the Canadiens' radar. There was even talk last season that you could sign with Laval. Can you tell us about the process? Did Marc Bergevin approach you? How does it work?
RHP:I didn't talk to anyone in the organization about my contract. My agent handled everything. He kept me informed. They made me an offer and I jumped at it. It didn't take long. The way I found out about my first contract was really special. I had told my agent, "When you get an offer, accept it!" I was in the middle of recording a video for the QMJHL. I turned all my notifications off so there wouldn't be any interruptions, but I didn't put my calls on pause. I was recording and my mom was looking at my phone and said, "You have a call from Joël Bouchard." My agent had texted me to let me know that I signed my first contract, but I didn't see it because my notifications were off. I picked up my cellphone and Joël Bouchard said, "Congratulations on your contract." I acted as if I knew already, but he was the one who told me about it first.

MD: You had the chance to chat with Joël Bouchard and visit Place Bell. What role do you expect to play in Laval?
RHP: I think we'll have a lot of forwards in Laval this year. I expect to start the season on the third or fourth line. It'll be up to me to make the most of my opportunities and show that I deserve to move up. I want to improve day after day to get the most ice time possible.
MD: What was it like playing against Suzuki? I know you've only played two games against him, but how was it?
RHP:I'm not surprised that he's a standout in the NHL right now. He was very strong in Junior. I remember the semi-final game at the Memorial Cup. We were winning 5-4 and they had a power play with 90 seconds left. They pulled their goaltender for a 6-on-4 advantage. Suzuki had the puck on his stick for at least a minute. He was making cross-ice passes like he does now. Our goaltender did some good work. We managed to win the game, but it was tough. That's the memory I have of Nick Suzuki during the Memorial Cup.
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