The Montreal Canadiens have several prospects playing in the CHL playoffs this month.
While many of them have high hopes thanks to their teams great regular season and hope to be celebrating a championship soon, one of them has accomplished something else to remember.
Riley Kidney was signed to an entry-level contract by the Canadiens.
The 19 year old centre was a second round pick of the Habs in the 2021 NHL Draft. He is a terrific playmaker who is a two-way force for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL. He just wrapped up his regular season by notching his 70th assist and 100th point on the campaign.
The Enfield, Nova Scotia native finished seventh in the QMJHL scoring race, but no one had more assists than him this season.
Kidney’s three year contract technically begins next season, but it could slide forward to begin in the 2023-24 season if he plays less than ten NHL games next season. He just turned 19 so it not old enough to play in the AHL next season, meaning the most likely outcome is for him to play one more year in the QMJHL before turning pro.
The 5’11” and 168 pound centre is a strong candidate to play a big role for Canada at the 2023 World Juniors next season, and could even get a look at the 2022 team that will play their tournament this summer.
Their top centres were supposed to be Mason McTavish and Shane Wright, but if both of them are gearing up for NHL seasons, they might pass on the World Juniors tournament that is being held in August in Alberta.
We will have to wait and see what happens there. First, Kidney is going to continue his terrific playmaking and great two-way game in the QMJHL Playoffs. His Titan take on the Halifax Mooseheads in the opening round which begins tomorrow night.
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