Filip Mesar talks to Paul Byron once a week

The Kitchener Rangers have embarked on a rather intense weekend. Filip Mesar’s team played games on Friday and Saturday, with another scheduled for this afternoon.

Individually, Mesar did well, collecting three points. The team still lost both games and will be looking to avoid a weekend sweep. They remain in first place in the OHL at the time of writing.

The Slovak is continuing his excellent start to the season, and even though he’s no longer averaging two points per game, he’s damn close.

There could be several reasons for his recent success, not least the change of coach. But freshly retired Paul Byron could also be an important tool for Mesar. Indeed, we learn from Kevin Dubé’s article in the Journal de Montréal that the two talk at least once a week.

How did Filip Mesar react to his dismissal from the OHL?

He took it as motivation.

“I want to prove that I’m too strong for this league.” https://t.co/W68sJi1tbu

– Kevin Dubé (@KDubeJDQ) November 26, 2023

Byron has always been important to the young players, but since he’s officially no longer playing, he’s finding time to help the organization’s hopefuls. A few months ago, he welcomed Logan Mailloux into his home, and recently, he’s been giving advice that’s clearly helping Mesar, another of the team’s first-round picks.

Ti-Paul’s role in the Canadiens organization is that of development consultant. So it’s only logical to see him talking to the club’s most esteemed prospects.

In addition to the Tricolore’s former small forward, Rob Ramage is also involved in the Slovakian’s development. In fact, the Director of Development spent a few days in Kitchener over the past few days. Some fans gave up on Mesar after an ordinary season last year, but the organization hasn’t. And so far, it’s paying off. And so far, it’s paying off.

Ramage and Rangers head coach Jussi Ahokas seem to be on the same wavelength when it comes to their protégé’s development.

We’ve had good discussions and we also talk on the phone regularly. – Jussi Ahokas

The man who isn’t worried about the expectations placed on him also pays close attention to Juraj Slafkovsky when he tunes in to the Habs games. Mesar believes his good friend is doing the right thing, especially lately, and admits the two talk regularly.

He’s going to be a good player in the NHL, and he’s going to get better every year. – Filip Mesar, talking about Slafkovsky

In gusto

– The WJC is just a month away.

World Juniors are exactly a month away, so let’s take a look at some of the best performances in a single WJC tournament pic.twitter.com/mleVY8cWpk

– BarDown (@BarDown) November 26, 2023

– Great read on P.K. Subban’s father.

Karl Subban, who’s in town for the Salon du livre, can’t get enough of sports betting ads. He told me about it in a pleasant chat on Friday.

“I think it’s going to get out of hand if we don’t do something about it.” https://t.co/wqEuX3fvKD

– Katherine Harvey-Pinard (@kharveypinard) November 26, 2023

– Legendary.