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Canadiens: Potential Surprise Players to Watch out for in Training Camp

By Scott Cowan

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 14: Jake Evans #71 and Alex Belzile #60 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after Joel Armia (not pictured) #40 scored a goal on Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 14: Jake Evans #71 and Alex Belzile #60 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after Joel Armia (not pictured) #40 scored a goal on Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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May 8, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Alex Belzile Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Alex Belzile Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Belzile

A fairly obvious choice, I know, but I still think Alex Belzile will continue to be a surprise performer come this year’s training camp, as he has been for the past few seasons ever since his initial AHL contract with the Laval Rocket in 2018-19. Belzile’s story is an inspiring one to say the least, and he’s in many ways the best feel-good story the Canadiens have on their roster, having overcome immeasurable odds to make his NHL debut after spending his first eight seasons split between the AHL and ECHL. A longshot to crack a junior roster, coming from a small municipality with little more than a Double C team, Belzile made his QMJHL debut at the advanced age of 18, putting up solid numbers with the Rimouski Oceanic over three seasons.

After going undrafted, Belzile briefly found his way to the Canadiens organization off a PTO with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2012-13, before an injury at next year’s training led to his release. After being a healthy scratch in the ECHL come 2013-14, Belzile worked his way back into a full-time role, first in the ECHL, and later the AHL. After winning two Kelly Cup Titles with the Alaska Aces and Idaho Steelheads, Belzile found a regular shift with the San Antonio Rampage, which led into his stint with Laval, and subsequently, Montreal.

Considered the heart and soul of the Rocket in many ways (similar to Brendan Gallagher’s role with the Canadiens) Belzile has an utterly relentless work ethic, with some decent two-way abilities to match. While he’s not a game-breaking player in either the NHL or AHL, he’s been on the fringes of the Canadiens roster since 2019-20 and was a part of their Black Aces over the course of their 2021 Stanley Cup Final run. Should a bottom six spot open up come 2021-22, I could see Belzile filling that role nicely, whilst truly fulfilling his unbelievable underdog story.

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