The Laval Rocket started their season with seven players who had no experience in the American Hockey League (AHL). Young people learned the hard way.

And that's not all: at the end of the season, when there was a tough fight for a place in the playoffs, three more young talents joined the team.

While some have adapted particularly well to life in professional ice hockey, for others it has taken longer to find their place.

We'll also take a look at the prospects who spent the season in Laval to see if there was progress or not, and we'll analyze some players who have a little more experience in the AHL, but in the AHL as The bearers of hope are more or less recent past.

They looked good

Logan Mailloux

He arrived with a past that he carried with him like a burden. He threw himself into the professional adventure with both feet. After a somewhat bumpy start, especially in defense, he quickly found his pace and became one of Jean-François Houle's confidants. Robust, fast and capable of attacking, he finished the season with 47 points, ranking third among defensemen in the AHL. He was invited to the All-Star Game, named to the All-Rookie team and played one game for the Canadiens at the end of the season.

Jayden Struble

He started the season in Laval and quickly established himself with his robust and simple game. An intelligent player, he focuses on minimizing risk-taking, which puts him in the category of defenders who are not very electrifying but are reliable. It was his reduced play that allowed him to be recalled by the Canadiens in November and play 56 games in the NHL that season. He will leave next training camp with a head start.

Jakub Dobes

Photo credit: Archive photo / QMI Agency

His start to the season didn't bode well. He was very scattered and struggled to present a clear style, meaning that after 20 games he had a 5.73 against average and a save percentage of 0.867. But the tide turned later. He became strong, reliable and precise in his movements and played a total of 51 games, making him the second most used goaltender in the AHL. He finished the season with a 2.93 GAA and a .906 save percentage. He's not ready for the NHL yet, but another season in the AHL will allow him to solidify his skills.

Joshua Roy

He quickly showed that he feels comfortable in the AHL with 12 points in his first 6 games. He then experienced ups and downs over about fifteen games before things calmed down and he found consistency. He collected 32 points in 41 games and demonstrated his talent as a shooter and playmaker. He showed enough that the Canadian called him up in February. He played 23 games in Montreal, in which he collected 9 points.

Its a lot to do

Sean Farrell

Photo credit: QMI photo agency, JOEL LEMAY

A very intelligent player, he has adapted to the AHL quite well. He performed consistently, collecting 28 points in 47 games. Early in the season he had a tendency to disappear at times even when he was productive, which dissipated over time. He is an experienced passer and will be even more effective if he can add some muscle to his 5'10″ frame.

Riley Kidney

Photo credit: Photo MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI

In the juniors he achieved a consistent pace, but the transition was a bit complicated. He had five streaks of four or more games without scoring points. He may have benefited from starting the season in the ECHL with Trois-Rivières. It will continue its development next year.

Jared Davidson

Photo credit: QMI photo agency, JOEL LEMAY

He has been slowed by injuries, which may not be the best reflection of his talent. He's a good size striker who has an eye for goal and can undoubtedly get even better next season.

We're already salivating

David Reinbacher

He joined the Rocket at the end of the season. In eleven games he managed to collect two goals and three assists. He has good size, his skating is fluid and fast, he is confident with the puck, he doesn't seem nervous and is able to support the attack. You have to see him play to understand why the Canadian picked him at No. 5^e Placed in the first round last year. He'll be playing in the NHL fairly quickly, but will undoubtedly return to Laval at the start of next season.

Luke Cloth

Photo credit: MARTIN ALARIE / JOURNAL DE MONTREAL

After completing his university internship, he only played two games with the Rocket, but that was enough to leave us wanting more. A powerful striker who doesn't shy away from tough play along the boards and is able to impress his teammates and create space for them. It will be interesting to see him play out over a full season.

Florian Xhekaj

Photo credit: Photo Martin Chevalier

It's a diamond for polishing, a bit like its big brother. Robust forward who really blossomed as a center in his final season with Brantford of the OHL. The Canadian seems to want to develop him further as a center. Next season will be interesting to see how he develops.

You've been in Laval for a while

William Trudeau

Photo credit: MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI

After a good first professional season last year, the defenseman was drafted at 4^e Tour in 2021 recorded a statistical decline this year. He remains reliable defensively and can contribute to the attack. He's also added a bit of toughness to his game, but with the Canadiens' prospects on the blue line, it will be difficult for him to find his place in Montreal.

Emil Heinemann

Photo credit: MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI

He surprised when he joined the Rockets at the end of the season last year, and this year a concussion in the second game of the season forced him out of action for a month and a half, slowing his progress. He collected 29 points in 48 games. Above all, he will have to work on his consistency.

Xavier Simoneau

Photo credit: Photo Martin Chevalier

He is only 1.75 meters tall, but he is a small pit bull who needs to work on his fighting spirit so much that he can avoid indiscipline. But he has great vision of the game and is very creative with the puck. He put up 37 points in 53 games, while last year he put up 38 in 62 games, so we can talk about progress. It is a diamond for polishing.

Mattias Norlinder

Photo credit: Photo Martin Chevalier

He was the last defenseman the Canadian released at the start of the season and we're still wondering why. He seemed to be shuffled like a deck of cards for most of the season, which he finished with a -14 rating. He came from Sweden with a good reputation and will probably return there next season.

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