Alexandre Alain has been signed with the Montreal Canadiens for two years but has decided to pursue education leading to a termination of his contract.
Alexandre Alain was a player who joined the Montreal Canadiens organization on a high. He signed his three-year entry-level deal after putting up 44 goals and 43 assists for 87 points in 65 regular-season games with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada while adding 30 points in 22 playoff games. It was clear how dominant of a player Alain was at the QMJHL level, and the next step on his journey to the NHL was with the Laval Rocket with a familiar face in Joel Bouchard.
His two seasons in the AHL saw him as a middling producer with flashes of stardom, and this upcoming year was going to be a big one as it was a contract year. However, it was announced that Alain and the Montreal Canadiens agreed to mutually terminate his contract.
When this happens, the first thing that comes to mind is a severe injury or some falling out in the organization. It actually has nothing to do with that. From the Canadiens NHL site, Alain has chosen to pursue studies full time.
This couldn’t have been an easy decision for Alain. For many players growing up, especially in Quebec, making the NHL is the goal. It’s very big of him to see the value in another aspect of life while still keeping the idea of pursuing professional hockey alive.
This news does explain why Alain was left off the Montreal Canadiens training camp roster announced yesterday. If things were different, the 23-year-old would likely be on his way to a third season with the Laval Rocket as roster size is limited, and there are other names in the organization who have NHL experience than he does.
Even though it’s the end, for now, I could see Alain rejoining the organization in some capacity if the fit is right. But for now, we wish Alexandre Alain good luck on the next stretch of his journey.