“I loved Trudeau! He was the one who ran the show.”

It’s really with the first sound of the skates of the rookies, on the ice of the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, that the next season begins.

By Véronique Prince

The fresh air of the arena, the sound of blades splitting the ice and the fresh smell of hockey equipment evoke a winter of memorable moments and intense emotions.

But before October arrives, the rookies put their heart and soul into a tournament bringing together the prospects of several NHL teams, with the aim, for some, of making a good first impression or, for others, of proving their worth to this organization.

Among the players present, some were freshly drafted, some were guests, and some had already made the acquaintance of the Quebec public in recent years.

Such is the case with Xavier Simoneau, William Trudeau, Jan Mysak and Jayden Struble, who all had their first professional experiences in recent seasons. Their leadership has been edifying, and their influence has been felt not only on the ice, but also in the young locker room of Canadiens prospects.

Xavier Simoneau

The Quebec forward, true to form, played two intense games over the weekend. Never shying away from an opponent, he applied constant pressure on opposing defensemen.

William Trudeau

William Trudeau, who enjoyed a meteoric rise last season, presented himself at the rookie camp as a true defensive quarterback, acting as captain for the two games in which he took part. His performances were appreciated by all, especially coach Jean-François Houle.

“I loved Trudeau! He was the one who ran the show.”

Jan Mysak

He scored the game-winning goal in both of the Canadiens’ victories. His intensity was felt throughout the weekend, a behavior noticed by Jean-François Houle.

“Mysak, that’s how he needs to play, aggressively!”

Jayden Struble

After completing his stint at Northeastern University, Struble joined the Rocket at the end of the season for 9 regular-season games. The American defenseman proved his reliability in both games, and exploited the physical aspect of his game to annoy opponents.

The Rocket’s 2023-24 season kicks off on October 13 at Place Bell in Laval.

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