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Montreal Canadiens: Focusing on the positives from the CHL Awards

By Omar L |
BOISBRIAND, QC - OCTOBER 20: Alexandre Alain #7 of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada skates against the Halifax Mooseheads during the QMJHL game at Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau on October 20, 2017 in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The Halifax Mooseheads defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
BOISBRIAND, QC - OCTOBER 20: Alexandre Alain #7 of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada skates against the Halifax Mooseheads during the QMJHL game at Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau on October 20, 2017 in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The Halifax Mooseheads defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The CHL announced its award winners for the 2017-18 season, and it’s important for Montreal Canadiens fans to focus on the positives such as Alexandre Alain.

The CHL is almost complete for the 2017-18 season. The Memorial Cup Final game is set for later on Sunday leaving the final recognition from the league. However, a certain award winner has opened closed wounds from the Montreal Canadiens fan base.

Alex Barré-Boulet of Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is up for two of the top awards. The 21-year-old was a player the Habs tried to sign as a free agent who instead chose the Tampa Bay Lightning. Seeing as he was a name in their backyard, the loss stung a little more than others.

Barrè-Boulet was up for the CCM Top Scorer Award as his 53 goals, and 63 assists led all QMJHL players in points as well as the Sportsnet Player of the Year Award. Being up for the latter award is huge. The most recent winner was Alex DeBrindcat who had a phenomenal rookie season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

It was later revealed that Barrè-Boulet won the Sportsnet Player of the Year Award.

As far as the draft goes, it was warming to see Filip Zadina up for the Sherwin-Williams Top Prospect Award. Connor McDavid and Nolan Patrick are examples of players who have taken the prize. If the Montreal Canadiens choose to go with him at Zadina, the nomination is further proof of the type of player he will become.

Related Story: Zadina May Have a Hischier-like Effect

However, one of the Habs own prospects was nominated for an award as well. You’d think this would be talked about more, but many are negatively focused on the triumphs of an almost player. Again I can understand that, but the fans need to continue to give support to those who are part of the ride.

Newly signed free agent Alexandre Alain ended up being the recipient of the CIBC Scholastic Player of the Year Award.

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The trophy goes to the player who performs on the ice and in the books. Alain finished third in league scoring with 44 goals and 43 assists. He was also the top producer in the playoffs for a while before teammate Drake Batherson took the spot.

The Montreal Canadiens have a gem in Alain. Not only can he juggle responsibilities in excel in either of them, but he wants to be here. That’s what fans should be focusing on. Not on the accomplishments of another player who isn’t part of the program.

New Laval Rocket head coach didn’t doubt that his captain would get a contract with his childhood team, and now he can work at it. There is NHL potential within Alain. It may not be top-six talent, but he has the tools and skillset to be a top-nine player one day.

Next: Entry-Level Contracts Win Championships

That’s what fans should be taking away from the CHL Awards. The fact that another future player in the organization is being recognized for the work they’ve put in this season

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