Hockey

The idea of Vinzenz Rohrer starting the year in Montreal is gaining in popularity
Pablo Herrera-Vergara
The idea of Vinzenz Rohrer starting the year in Montreal is gaining in popularity
Credit: Vinzenz Rohrer at practice

After two preparatory games and a week of training camp, some battles seem to have been settled. Defensively, David Reinbacher still needs a bit of mileage before he'll be able to crack a defenseman on the Habs' roster. Adam Engstrom is making progress, but doesn't seem ready yet either. In front of the net, it should be Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembault, but where it's most interesting is up front. There's a spot to the right of Alex Newhook and Zachary Bolduc, and more of a 13th forward role. There are several contenders: Oliver Kapanen, Joshua Roy, Owen Beck, Joe Veleno, Samuel Blais and…Vincenz Rohrer. The 21-year-old Austrian forward is getting more and more attention for his hustle on the ice and his hockey sense, and Radio-Canada's Marc Antoine Godin reports on him as a player who has entered the fray for a regular spot with the team. He spoke to Martin St-Louis, who was full of praise for him, and

“He plays with a lot of determination. For a young guy, he's really got an eye for detail in his game (…) I feel like he's a guy who can do a lot of things offensively and defensively, and on top of that, he can take face-offs.”

–

Martin St-Louis

The same goes for JiC, who is impressed by the young man, whom he even compares to Paul Byron or Brendan Gallagher in his rookie year in 2013.

The only snag in Rohrer's case is his contractual situation. He can't be sent to Laval, so it's either the NHL or Europe, as he belongs in Zurich. The Habs will have to decide at the end of training camp

In any case, after a week, mission accomplished for Rohrer, who has been turning heads and will get another audition. Last night, he didn't get on the scoresheet, but he was visible every time he came on, showed that he can absorb shots, but also give them. He brings a little spark and, without taking anything away from Roy, Kapanen and Beck, he's more committed when he jumps on the ice. I don't think it'll be enough, though. He's only 21 and a year in Europe won't do him any harm. There's no hurry in his case, but he's certainly showing that he can aspire to a career in the NHL. spacer title='Overtime'] – Things aren't going well in Toronto.

– This explains his absence.

– Introducing

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