Players gather in Brossard as Canadiens step up pre-season work
Several members of the Montreal Canadiens organisation were on the ice in Brossard this week, offering a glimpse of the club’s pre-season routines and the state of their prospect pipeline as the team moves closer to training camp and the regular season.
Fans and observers noted the presence of recently promoted NHL players Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson alongside top prospect David Reinbacher. The trio skated together at the Canadiens’ practice facilities in Brossard on Aug. 28, a sign of the organisation’s integration between its NHL group and emerging prospects.
"Très belle scène ce matin à Brossard alors que Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov et David Reinbacher s’amusent ensemble avant le début de l’entraînement."
The on-ice session also coincided with other preseason chatter: a fan-driven ranking of the team’s prospects reached its conclusion and goaltender work that included some puck-handling drills by Jakub Dobes, who has been noted for enjoying the puck beyond the crease.
What the practice and rankings say about the system
The Canadiens’ prospect voting, a fan-engagement series that listed the organisation’s top 20 prospects, reaffirmed the strength at the top of Montreal’s pipeline. The final fan poll placed Michael Hage at No. 1 for the second consecutive season, while Jacob Fowler held the No. 2 slot. The list showed some movement below those positions: David Reinbacher was ranked No. 4 in the final poll, and newcomer Gleb Pugachyov debuted at No. 5.
Those rankings come after the organisation has already promoted some high-end talent: Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson have been graduated to the NHL, which contributed to commentary that Montreal’s prospect pool appears to be in "very healthy shape." The presence of graduated players and active prospects on the same ice in Brossard gives local fans an early preview of how those transitions might look in practice.
Players on site and practice focus
- Ivan Demidov — recently promoted, present at Brossard practice
- Lane Hutson — recent NHL graduate, skating in pre-season work
- David Reinbacher — ranked No. 4 in the fan poll, participating in drills
- Jakub Dobes — goaltender noted for puck skills and practising puck-handling
The practices appear focused on skill work and light competitive drills as players ready themselves for the team’s main training camp, which opens in the weeks ahead. Social media posts from the day underscored the lighter, more convivial mood in these early sessions as players re-establish on-ice chemistry.
Quick view: top five prospects from the fan poll
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Hage |
| 2 | Jacob Fowler |
| 3 | — (not specified in source) |
| 4 | David Reinbacher |
| 5 | Gleb Pugachyov |
The fan poll illustrates both continuity at the top and some fresh faces breaking into the upper tier. It also reflects the Canadiens’ recent success in accelerating certain prospects to the NHL roster, as demonstrated by Demidov and Hutson.
Locally in Brossard, the early activity adds to the sense that the organisation is preparing methodically for the season. One social post put a timestamp on the countdown: the Canadiens were said to be approximately 31 days from opening night, signalling that quieter summer drills are giving way to more structured training camp preparation.
For Brossard residents, the mix of NHL players and high-end prospects at the local facility offers both a community spectacle and an opportunity to follow closely how Montreal’s next wave of players are being readied for bigger roles. As the calendar turns to September, the practices in Brossard will likely grow more intense and more indicative of roster decisions to come.
