Filip Mesar expects to play in Laval next season

After a good start to the OHL season, Filip Mesar hit a wall after the World Junior Championship.

He still finished the season with 51 points in 52 games with the Kitchener Rangers, but his production dropped off considerably in the second half of the season. There’s a lot of talk about the team’s other prospects these days, but what about the team’s late first-round pick in 2022?

The plan is to send him to the Rocket for the entire next season. Last year, he played just one game in the AHL.

Filip Mesar said he expects to play for Laval Rocket next season. He says #Habs told him and his agent last year they only wanted him to play one season of junior, which he did #HabsIO

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2023

What we didn’t know is that this has always been the plan. Last year, the Canadiens told their prospect and his agent that he would stay in the OHL for just one season.

With some rest, I think Mesar will be an interesting asset for the Rocket. After all, playing against men doesn’t scare him. In the two years prior to his draft, the Slovakian played against men much older than him in his home country. He did well considering his young age, collecting 14 points in 36 games in 2020-2021 and 16 points in 37 games in 2021-2022.

Not only is the plan to have him play in Laval, but the principal interested party really wants to play under Jean-François Houle.

As for his first season in North America, Mesar doesn’t think he did badly. He’s aware that he’s had his ups and downs, but he’s focused on the positive. He believes he’s in a better position today because he knows what to expect.

One thing’s for sure: Laval will have a good young club this season. It will be dynamic, talented and fast. With Logan Mailloux, Riley Kidney, Joshua Roy, Filip Mesar and Lias Andersson, I’m excited about the start of the season.

In gusto

– Welcome to Montreal.

Words can’t describe how proud and honored I am to have been drafted by the @CanadiensMTL absolute dream come true and can’t wait to get started!!!#gohabsgo pic.twitter.com/ww1LPKRfbJ

– Jacob Fowler (@jacobfowler24) July 2, 2023

– Great news.

For the first time in its history, Hockey Canada will be led by a woman. In the next few days, the federation will announce the appointment of Katherine Henderson as CEO. Henderson has been CEO of Curling Canada since 2016.

– Martin Leclerc (@MLeclerc_Hockey) July 2, 2023

– He was not on the ice today due to a minor injury.

À VOIR | Florian Xhekaj breaks down his game and tells how he found out the CH drafted him 💪 https://t.co/xrCMubxoig

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 2, 2023

– de Haan in Florida.