Despite making a positive impression during Montreal Canadiens training camp, defenseman Logan Mailloux will begin the season with the Laval Rocket.

Habs management announced this decision on Tuesday afternoon.

Mailloux had time to take part in three pre-season games with the Canadian and even though he didn’t score any points, he showed good offensive skills.

With the arrival of Mailloux, the number of players in the Rocket camp increases to 38. Of these, the Rocket have 13 defenders.

Also on the list is Jayden Struble, who did not participate in team practice on Monday and Tuesday due to a lower body injury.

The Rocket are scheduled to hold a practice session focused on special teams at Place Bell on Wednesday morning before traveling by bus to Toronto for a preseason game against the Marlies on Thursday afternoon.

It remains to be seen whether Mailloux will train with his new teammates on Wednesday and whether he will make the trip to the Queen City.

The Rocket will play their second and final preseason game against the Belleville Senators on Sunday, October 8th at Place Bell.

Five days later, the Rocket begin their season at home against the Abbotsford Canucks. This will be the first of two games between the two clubs in as many days.

In order to properly prepare his players for the start of the season, but also to get to know them a little better, Houle will probably end the week in Laval with all players present.

“We’ll pretty much keep everyone until the end. I think it’s important to see what certain players can do, especially in mid-year call-ups. We will give young players the opportunity to showcase themselves in Toronto and against Belleville,” Houle said.

Uncertainty in front of the network

Of all the battles that will take place at Rocket Camp next week, the most exciting is the one that takes place in front of the net. Especially since it’s about someone who is absent at the moment.

There are currently four goalkeepers in the Rocket camp, including Jakub Dobes, a lanky 1.80 meter tall goalkeeper who is only 22 years old.

Among the other three we still cannot find Cayden Primeau, who remains present in the Canadian’s camp. However, if the Habs ever want to bring him back to Laval, he will have to place his name on waivers.

While he waits for the Primeau situation to resolve itself, Dobes hopes to have the opportunity to play as many games as possible.

“I just want to play hockey games. It is the goal. We talked about it. No matter where I am, I want to play the most hockey games, win hockey games and gain experience,” Dobes said.

Houle said he liked what he had seen from the Czech goalkeeper in training so far.

“I think it’s a little ahead of what I expected. That’s a good thing,” Houle noted.

To watch in the video