Hours before the 2022-2023 Canadian’s final game, goaltender Samuel Montembeault received a flattering invitation that would extend his hockey season.
The Quebecer was approached to represent Canada at the World Cup. The event, presented in Finland and Latvia, starts on May 12th.
The daily Le Newliste said the deal was done. According to our information, however, the last necessary confirmations have not yet been completed.
Montembeault was part of Canada’s selection at the 2016 World Junior Championships but did not play. This time he would probably have the opportunity to get a taste of his first “real” international experience.
The 26-year-old athlete starts with the Habs on Thursday evening in a 39ere game this season. He has 16 wins so far, a .903 save percentage and a 3.38 goal average. Those numbers aren’t impressive by themselves, but his 5v5 stats describe a keeper who’s stayed afloat all season as he’s been bombarded from every direction.
At five to five, his .919 save rate puts him among the standout members of his trade on a team destined to miss the playoffs.
The formation chosen by St. Louis Blues and Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong has not yet been formalized. Among the goalies, Jordan Binnington (St-Louis), Tristan Jarry (Pittsburgh), Darcy Kuemper (Washington) and Cam Talbot (Ottawa) could also receive invites.
At the Habs, we already know that Martin St-Louis turned down an offer to join the coaching staff. Separated from his family for the entire NHL season, he wanted to return to Connecticut.
Nick Suzuki and Mike Matheson (Canada), Joel Armia and Jesse Ylönen (Finland), Jordan Harris and Sean Farrell (USA) emerge as the main contenders, likely to be nominated by their respective national teams.
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