Laval Rocket defenceman Josh Brook is heading to Germany to find some playing time, but two of his teammates have decided to stay close to home as they prepare for the American Hockey League to begin play in February.
Rocket forwards Alexandre Alain and Rafael Harvey-Pinard talked to the media during a video conference call Thursday and explained why they decided to continue their training in Quebec.
“I haven’t necessarily considered (Europe) yet,” said Alain, who has spent the past two seasons in Laval after signing with Montreal as an undrafted free agent. “In Quebec, we have a lot of resources, even if it is not ideal with the red zone. There is a moment to develop other than by going to Europe. For now, I have this path in mind. I prefer to stay in my corner, but of course I’m not closing the door, either.”
Harvey-Pinard is a bit of a rarity because he and Charles Hudon are the only Quebec players in the Canadiens’ organization who were drafted by Montreal. Harvey-Pinard was a seventh-round draft pick (No. 201 overall) in 2019.
“When I saw the players going there, and there are a number of them in the league, I thought about it and talked to my agent,” said Harvey-Pinard. “But frankly, the discussion was rather short. I went to Blainville and I can practise with other players in the league. For my development, it’s good to stay here as well.
“This is my first season (as a pro) and I want to show what I can do on the ice,” added Harvey-Pinard. “I’ve worked on a lot of little things to make me a better player.”
Harvey-Pinard has been fortunate to get on the ice three times a week for one-on-one sessions with his trainer.
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Alain, who is based in Quebec City, hasn’t been able to find ice because of the COVID-19 restrictions, but has been working diligently on his conditioning.
“At 23, I have experience in my physical preparation,” said Alain. “I know what works and what works less for me. We are closely followed by the Canadiens and we have access to all possible resources.”
With hockey on hold and no travel, both players are taking advantage of their free time to pursue their educational goals.
Alain has doubled his course load from two to four and Harvey-Pinard is taking finance courses through TELUQ, the distance learning arm of the Université du Québec. He had hoped to enrol in the physiotherapy program at McGill, but was unable to fit it into his schedule.
Earlier Thursday, the Canadiens announced that Brook is the latest player to be loaned to a team in Europe.
General manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday that the team agreed to loan Brook to the Krefeld Pinguine of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for the start of the season. Brook is expected to report to both the Canadiens and Laval Rocket training camps for the 2020-21 season.
Brook is the seventh player from the Canadiens’ organization to be loaned to a European team. Hudon is playing in Switzerland, Lukas Vejdemo is in Sweden, Hayden Verbeek is in Slovakia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Otto Leskinen and Jesse Ylonen are all playing with their former teams in Finland.
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