The Montreal Canadiens will have a lot of debuts at training camp this September, and Xavier Ouellet has already had the opportunity to wear the sweater.
Xavier Ouellet chose to have the Montreal Canadiens as his first step to rejuvenation in the NHL. His time within the Detroit Red Wings organization, who drafted him 48th overall in 2011, came to an end through a buyout. Ouellet got his first taste of the full extent of the league in the 2016-17 season when he played 66 games, but it was difficult for him to get in the lineup this year.
Whether Ouellet’s talents as a player were the culprit or poor management from Detroit, he’ll have a new yet familiar environment in Montreal to prove himself once again. But fans didn’t need to wait until training camp to see the newly turned 25-year-old in a Habs jersey.
Ouellet was at Jarry Park Stadium this past Saturday taking part in a ball hockey game at the Rogers Cup. The France native was in a Montreal Canadiens sweater with a 61 on the back retaining the same number from his days in Detroit. According to Hockey-Reference, the last Habs player to don 61 was Raphael Diaz who was a free agent signing out of Switzerland playing within the organization for three years.
When asked about his hopes for the new season, Ouellet said:
"I want to get to the training camp and surprise the leaders by showing what I can do. I have to prove to them that I have my place (Translated)."
There’s no doubt that a spot on the blueline is open for at the least the beginning of training camp. Shea Weber won’t be joining the Montreal Canadiens until December. And while the top four is set via Jeff Petry, Victor Mete, Karl Alzner, and Noah Juulsen, a spot on the bottom pair is open. Additionally, making the team as the seventh defenceman is in the realm of possibility for Ouellet as well
The issue is the competition. Mike Rielly will have something to say about Ouellet’s efforts for starters. But David Schlemko (I know) and PTO signing Simon Desprès could have a solid camp.
Montreal would benefit from having another young and efficient member on their blueline. However, based on what he’s gone through in the last year, perhaps starting to season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket couldn’t hurt. That said, there’s no question the NHL is the goal for Ouellet in 2018. Whether he makes it or not will depend on what he has to show to the coaching staff.
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