As the Montreal Canadiens continue their training camp at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, head coach Martin St. Louis is offering tough love to the team’s young prospects, sharing his own hard-earned wisdom about the difficult journey from making an NHL roster to keeping a spot.
The Reality of NHL Careers
St. Louis vividly recalls the moment he was told he made an NHL team for the first time. “I couldn’t believe it,” St. Louis shared on Saturday. “It was my first camp in Calgary in 1998. I made the team out of camp, and it was special—not just for me but for my family.”
Despite the excitement of making the Calgary Flames as an undrafted player, St. Louis’ early NHL career was anything but smooth. He only played 13 games in his rookie season before being sent down to the AHL. His career didn’t truly take off until signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he carved out a Hall of Fame legacy.
Reflecting on those early days, St. Louis delivered a strong message for young players hoping to stick in the NHL: “Making the team out of camp is a big step, but it’s only the beginning. It’s easier to make the NHL than to have a career. Staying in the NHL, proving your worth every day—that’s the real challenge.”
Young Players Looking to Make the Cut
At this year’s camp, defensemen Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux are in the mix for NHL spots, while forward Owen Beck is also in contention but likely to start in the AHL. St. Louis emphasized the tough road ahead: “I tell the young guys, making the team is exciting, but it only gets harder from here. You have to do enough every day to actually build a career.”
During Saturday’s scrimmage, Hutson stood out with an impressive performance, showcasing his vision with a perfect lob pass that sent Emil Heineman on a breakaway. Hutson was paired with Justin Barron, who also looked strong as he fights for a regular spot in the NHL after bouncing between the AHL and NHL over the last two seasons.
St. Louis pointed out that Barron has all the tools to succeed but must focus on consistency, particularly in his play without the puck. “He might have the puck on his stick for one minute in a game,” St. Louis noted. “It’s those other 19 minutes—winning battles, boxing out players, blocking shots—that will determine if he stays in the NHL.”
Veterans Leading by Example
The veteran line of Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, and Joel Armia has been dominant through camp scrimmages. Evans and Armia both scored in Saturday’s 2-1 win over a team that included Hutson and Barron. Gallagher and Armia also found the back of the net on Friday in a 6-3 victory.
Evans, who has been playing alongside Gallagher for years, joked about their chemistry. “I hate to say it, but I do like playing with him,” Evans grinned. “We’re straightforward players, and we read off each other well.”
Advice for Young Players: Focus on Yourself
St. Louis, drawing from his own experience as a player who fought for his NHL spot, shared his key advice for young players at camp: “Just keep pushing and control what you can. Don’t get caught up in what others are doing. Focus on yourself, and take the pressure off. If you compare yourself to everyone around you, you end up hurting yourself.”
St. Louis’ guidance is a reminder that success in the NHL is not just about talent, but the relentless effort to improve every day. His message to the young stars is clear: making the team is the easy part—now comes the hard work of earning a career.
Schedule Update
The Canadiens have made a change to their training camp schedule for Sunday. The originally scheduled scrimmage has been canceled, and players will instead have practice at 9:45 a.m. The team’s first preseason game is set for Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre.
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