Adam Engström: his club gives him every opportunity to progress

When we think of the Canadiens’ top prospects on the blue line, a few obvious names come to mind.

Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux…

But with what he accomplished last year as a 19-year-old in Sweden’s top league, Adam Engström also deserves to be included. After dominating the Swedish junior league with 13 points in seven games last season, Engstrom was recalled by the senior team, Rogle BK, where he did well.

He scored 16 points in 43 games and added five points in nine playoff games. He was so good that many saw him as the team’s best player in the playoffs. For a 19-year-old, that’s something to brag about.

The defenseman was in Montreal this summer to take part in the CH development camp, and he impressed there too. He had a very good intra-team game and was, according to my colleague Tony Patoine, the best defenseman on the ice that day.

But Engström wanted to return to Europe “for one last season” before making the leap to North America. He feels this is the best thing for his development… And the kid is right.

He’s right, because he’ll get plenty of ice time. In his club’s first preparatory game in Sweden, he’ll be used on the first defense pairing:

First pairing #Habs prospect Adam Engström as Rögle will play the first (preseason) game of the year. pic.twitter.com/GDPByr7Oz8

– Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) August 18, 2023

We want to give him the opportunity to progress in Sweden and that’s perfect.

I imagine Kent Hughes is happy with the turn of events, hehe.

Because basically, even if he wanted to come to Canada to pursue his career, he probably wouldn’t have gotten a role that suited his development. I think we’re all aware that there’s going to be a lot of traffic on the Habs’ blue line AND the Rocket’s next season…

And by going back to Sweden, Engström is giving himself a better chance to improve in a situation where he’ll have to play two or three times as much as he does here.

Adam Engström is a little-known prospect to Montreal fans, and I think we’ll learn to love him before long in the city. Of course, we’ll be keeping an eye on the performance of all the club’s prospects in the coming year, but I’m particularly interested in his case.

Especially with the good season and development camp he’s had lately.

In gusto

– Wow!

There’s a lot of field hockey talent in that dressing room… 👀

(🎥: @MGaborik12) pic.twitter.com/Ww3mGj6Bn0

– NHL (@NHL) August 18, 2023

– Sick.

“I feel like I’m going out the Super Bowl doors!”

Beckham’s mic’d up GOLD 🤩 pic.twitter.com/EpSlnPNioj

– Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) August 18, 2023

– That’s a wild response.