With the Habs season set to start next Saturday at home ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Montreal Canadiens open their camp Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
There will be only 28 players at the short camp, including the mere five non-lockout players General Manager Marc Bergevin called up as Habs hopefuls.
One of those players is 18-year-old Alex Galchenyuk, drafted third, and who was lighting up the OHL for the Sarnia Sting and just won gold for Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Sweden.
“People questioned, but I never questioned. I know what kind of player that I am, when I am healthy… It wasn't an issue for me. I definitely wanted to play and show that i am healthy and i am definitely happy where I am right now,” he said Saturday.
Galchenyuk is a natural centre who has been a winger this year.
When asked in which position he would rather play, he handled the question like a pro.
“I played the wing a lot growing up, and this year I got put on the wing, so I think it is matter of you play with great players then it is easier. I think it's more a matter of the chemistry and the players that you play with,” he said,
The remaining players who will get a look? Brendan Gallagher, Gabriel Dumont, Jarred Tinordi and Mike Commodore.
“It's different -- different league, compared to junior,” said Brendan Gallagher. “Lots less scoring chances and defensive-minded hockey. The depth of teams is that much better. You just have to learn from it and find different ways to be successful.”
Tinordi said he has something to prove to his coach.
“From Day One when he talked to us, Marc Bergevin has said that he is going to reward good play and it goes on performance and hard work. I've been working hard and I want to continue to prove to him that I can play at this level,” he said.
Hamilton's leading goal scorer Gabriel Dumont said getting the puck in the net is what counts.
“I didn't change my game. I just tried to work hard and go in front of the net and lately guys I play with have been made really good plays for me. And I get rebounds. They're not really pretty goals but they all count,” he said.
Not at training camp for one week is Louis Leblanc, who finished last season with Tomas Plekanec and Rene Bourque on the second line.
Leblanc suffered a high ankle sprain this season and was out of the lineup. He has since returned and is not playing well.
Bergevin has said he will reward those who are playing well and Leblanc will finish the season in Hamilton.
