A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Top Five Centre Prospects

By Ken MacMillan

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Ryan Poehling #25 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Ryan Poehling #25 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 11: Brett Stapley. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 11: Brett Stapley. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

4. Brett Stapley

Stapley went undrafted in 2017, but the Habs were targeting as many centres as they could find in 2018. With a 7th round pick, they decided to roll the dice on an overaged player who was suiting up in the BCHL for the Vernon Vipers.

Stapley was playing Junior A hockey in Canada because he wanted to preserve his eligibility to play NCAA hockey in the United States. After being selected by the Habs, he headed off to Denver to suit up for the Pioneers and he has not disappointed them since his arrival.

As a freshman in 2018-19, the 5’10” centre played a depth role for the talented and deep Pioneers roster. He scored five goals and 19 points in 32 games as he learned the ropes of the college game. This season, Stapley stepped up offensively and played a two-way role as the third line centre for the Pioneers. He scored five goals and 30 points in 35 games, while also being one of the top penalty killers for one of college hockey’s best teams.

Heading into next season, Stapley has an opportunity to improve his level of play once again and be among the best two-way centres in college hockey. He is following very closely in the footsteps of Jake Evans so far in his college career and could be a trusted bottom six centre for the Habs in the future.

Home/Habs News