The Montreal Canadiens have revamped their development team, and with just two drafts under Kent Hughes and Jeff Gortons’ direction, the prospect pool is developing nicely. But Marc Bergevin’s picks take precedence in this piece.
Deservedly so, because two of his picks appear to be cooking really nicely in the American Hockey League. 2021 fifth-round selection Joshua Roy, and 2020 fourth-round selection Sean Farrell had a couple of great games during back-to-back games against the Manitoba Moose. Roy has been in the conversation for one of the brightest spots on the Laval Rocket roster, but Farrell seems to have found his way too.
The pair seem to have a knack for finding one another in open space with a quick pass, and then working the give-and-go. On Monday night, Roy made a disgusting no-look cross-crease pass to Farrell. He quickly one-timed the slick pass into the net.
Joshua Roy has continued the impressive pace to his rookie season in the AHL, now counting 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points in 12 games.
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) November 13, 2023
Sean Farrell is also breaking out at the same time, now posting 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 12 games. https://t.co/vjUTdPlUio
That was the second time the pair connected, giving the Habs’ brass a preview of what the pair are capable of. The first interaction was a smart shot pass to Roy right in front of the Moose goaltender. Roy made a quick stick lift on the defender, then tipped the pass home, showing off great anticipation and strong stick positioning.
Sean Farrell feeds Joshua Roy at the back post and it's 3-1 Rocket! pic.twitter.com/WoSGxNjvjy
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) November 13, 2023
This was just on Monday night, but the Rocket played back-to-back games against the Moose, starting with a Sunday night game. In what has been a frustrating start to the year for the young Rocket team, these two wins were huge for the team’s confidence. On Sunday, Roy found Farrell with a nice cross-crease pass, and Farrell made no mistake putting it into the net.
Well, this is the view I got for Sean Farrell's power play goal.
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) November 12, 2023
Assisted by Joshua Roy pic.twitter.com/svdKWFsHiA
Roy also scored a tally in the second period, which was assisted by defenseman William Trudeau. The pair entered the attacking zone, playing a game of pass. Roy then unleashed a howitzer of a one-timer past the Moose goaltender.
Trudeau feeds Joshua Roy and it's 4-1 Rocket! pic.twitter.com/nzvYC3FbsR
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) November 12, 2023
The pair feasted on the Moose, and continue to grow into high-potential forwards in the Habs rebuild. Farrell the small, but cerebral pass, who has the Caufield-like ability to get lost in the zone, before emerging and making you pay. Roy is so smart and does everything will surgeon-like precision.
Goal and two assists for Sean Farrell today, goal and an assist for Joshua Roy. They each had four points in two games in Manitoba. https://t.co/TS6F16a9NQ
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) November 13, 2023
The forward group is coming along nicely, and the with the 2024 Draft to look forward to. Roy and Farrell should have another big piece that will join them in helping the Canadiens reach their potential.
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