Montreal Canadiens: Ty Smilanic To Turn Pro and Join Rookie Camp
The Canadiens released their rookie camp roster today to much fanfare, as anything Canadiens-related this time of year would be. Rookie camp opens on September 13th, with the annual prospects challenge beginning on the 15th. You can see the full roster here.
There weren’t too many surprises, with David Reinbacher, Sean Farrell, and Logan Mailloux perhaps being the most notable faces. It will be the first rookie camp for Reinbacher and Farrell and the first for Mailloux since he was deemed eligible to play in the NHL.
But the most surprising name on the list might have been that of Ty Smilanic, who was not expected to be there. Many expected Smilanic to return to Wisconsin in the NCAA this season, which would’ve meant his exclusion from rookie camp this year.
NCAA players are not eligible to attend these rookie camps, otherwise, they are not allowed to play in the NCAA. That’s why Lane Hutson is not attending this camp either. But it would appear in Smilanic’s case, that he’s decided to turn pro.
Prospect Ty Smilanic, acquired in the Ben Chiarot trade, has decided to leave Wisconsin and will attend rookie camp (and hopefully the main camp) with the hopes of landing a pro contract. There is a more reasonable chance, I am told, that he get an AHL or a two-way AHL/ECHL deal.
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) September 8, 2023
Smilanic, who landed at 22nd on our Canadiens prospect pool ranking has not yet signed a contract with the Canadiens and will be looking to earn one here with a strong camp. The 21-year-old had a strong first two years in the NCAA with Quinnipiac before a tumultuous junior season with the Wisconsin Badgers.
In 14 games with the Badgers last year, he registered just two points and missed a lot of time for mental health related reasons. Now he’ll look to find his footing in the professional ranks and earn a contract. It seems most likely that he’ll end up with a contract from Laval, or even the Canadiens ECHL squad, where he’ll have to work his way up the ranks.
The Canadiens acquired Smilanic in the Ben Chiarot trade back in 2022, along with a first-round pick in 2023 (eventually traded for Alex Newhook) and a 2022 Fourth Rounder (Cedrick Guindon). While not the centerpiece of that deal, the Canadiens certainly hope that Smilanic can contribute for them in some capacity.
It’ll be interesting to watch Smilanic this camp and see if he can push for a roster spot in Laval. He’s a talented player despite his struggles last season, and perhaps a fresh start in Montreal will help him get back on his feet.
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