Montreal Canadiens Prospect Josh Brook to Join the Laval Rocket

KELOWNA, BC - JANUARY 16: Josh Brook #2 of the Moose Jaw Warriors warms up against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on January 16, 2019 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC - JANUARY 16: Josh Brook #2 of the Moose Jaw Warriors warms up against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on January 16, 2019 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

With his junior career coming to a close, it is time for Josh Brook to take the next steps and to prove himself to Joel Bouchard as well as his new teammates and to one day play for the Montreal Canadiens.

On Friday morning, the Laval Rocket Twitter page announced that right-handed defenseman Josh Brook would be joining the team starting on Saturday. This marks the end of Brook’s first season as captain in the WHL. The Montreal Canadiens prospect finished his regular season with the Moose Jaw Warrior with 75 points in 59 games. Brook was selected 56th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Brook’s season came to a disappointing end as the Moose Jaw Warriors were swept by the Saskatoon Blades on March 27th. Brook finished with three assists in four games.

This is big news for the Montreal Canadiens organization and fans alike as the former Warriors captain is a highly anticipated prospect within the pipeline. Although it currently looks as if the Montreal Canadiens are stacked on the right side, you can never have too many prospects, especially those with such a high level of skill. The Canadiens will have a few future options on RD with Josh Brook, Cale Fleury and Noah Juulsen.

LAVAL, QC – DECEMBER 22: Noah Juulsen Josh Laval Rocket (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC – DECEMBER 22: Noah Juulsen Josh Laval Rocket (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Brook will be joining coach Joël Bouchard and a Laval Rocket team that sit six points out of the AHL playoffs. With eight games remaining in their season, it is still very much a possibility that Laval makes it into the post-season. This could serve as a great opportunity for Josh Brook to prove himself.

Looking ahead towards next season, the Montreal Canadiens will most likely still have Shea Weber and Jeff Petry in their top defensive pairings. This leaves a spot on the third pairing that could be filled from within the organization. The RD position on the third pairing is currently being held by Christian Folin, who was acquired via a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Next. Impact on the Habs playoff chances. dark

Folin has done an adequate job as a depth defenseman, but for a team that already has Brett Kulak and Jordie Benn, it would benefit the Canadiens to have one of their prospects make the jump to the NHL if they are ready.