Canadiens assign Harvey-Pinard to AHL Rocket to regain game shape

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Rafaël Harvey-Pinard mentioned he’s achieved enjoying softball.

The Canadiens winger is able to resume his NHL profession, however in the interim, that highway has taken him again to the Laval Rocket.

The Canadiens introduced Tuesday morning the 5-foot-9, 181-pound Harvey-Pinard was being assigned to their AHL affiliate on a long-term harm conditioning mortgage. The 25-year-old has recovered from surgical procedure he had in July after fracturing his leg enjoying softball. Harvey-Pinard was enjoying centre-field when one other participant collided with him.

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Harvey-Pinard is predicted to be within the Rocket’s lineup Wednesday evening, when the group hosts Rochester at Place Bell. Throughout Tuesday morning’s follow, he was on a line with Laurent Dauphin and Xavier Simoneau. Nonetheless, ought to ahead Alex Barré-Boulet, who’s recovering from an harm and didn’t practise, be unavailable towards the Individuals, Harvey-Pinard would in all probability transfer as much as Laval’s high line, with Brandon Gignac and Joshua Roy.

“That was actually dangerous luck. Hopefully it doesn’t occur once more,” Harvey-Pinard instructed The Gazette after follow. “For positive it’s robust, getting an harm like that in the course of the summer time. Particularly final yr, I used to be injured lots. Clearly I wasn’t blissful about it, however as soon as you recognize you’re going to be out for 4 months you need to go at some point at a time and assume positively.

“That’s what I did and now I’m able to go. I’m actually excited to be again. I’m not shocked by this determination. It has been six or seven months with out enjoying. It’s going to be good for my timing, getting again into sport form, too. That’s what (Canadiens’ administration) instructed me and I perceive.”

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There must be a sure consolation stage for Harvey-Pinard with the Rocket, though he’ll be coping with a brand new head coach after Pascal Vincent changed Jean-François Houle, now teaching Clarkson College in Potsdam, N.Y.

Harvey-Pinard has 145 profession AHL video games on his resumé, having scored 46 objectives and 61 assists. He most not too long ago was with the Rocket in the course of the 2022-23 season. In 40 video games, he produced 16 objectives and 31 factors, incomes the seventh-round (201st total) draft alternative in 2019 a promotion to the Canadiens that season.

The Jonquière native turned common with the media due to his infectious angle and booming voice. He additionally turned a fan favorite after scoring 14 objectives and 20 factors in 34 video games with Montreal. That included three objectives throughout an 8-2 win towards Columbus in March 2023.

However Harvey-Pinard was restricted to 45 video games final season following separate lower-body accidents. His manufacturing dipped considerably, with two objectives and 10 factors. He doesn’t know the way lengthy his stint with the Rocket will final, however mentioned he’s able to play. Harvey-Pinard has been skating, whether or not alone or together with his Montreal teammates, for a number of weeks.

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“I’m simply going one sport at a time,” he mentioned. “Attempt to get again to my previous habits, enjoying good in every single place on the ice. I had a special position final yr, slightly bit much less offensively. I used to be enjoying extra on the penalty-kill, stuff like that. Clearly I wasn’t opportunistic. I had possibilities. I don’t assume I performed dangerous, however I wanted to create extra. For positive the accidents didn’t assist, having to cease twice in the course of the season for a protracted period of time.

“I’m able to go. I simply wish to get again to my identification, (present) what I can do on the ice. Get my timing again. My passing. My capturing. That’s robust to do throughout a follow. You have to do it throughout a sport. I don’t have to attain 5 objectives and get 5 assists. I simply wish to play good at each ends of the ice and play my sport.”

With a 12-2 file, the Rocket is first within the North Division and on a three-game profitable streak. Whereas Laval has thrived with out Harvey-Pinard, one other participant with NHL expertise ought to solely make the membership extra formidable.

“He likes to play hockey,” Vincent mentioned. “You possibly can inform he’s a very good particular person, even when I don’t know him. I spoke to him at camp in Montreal, briefly, and this morning. He’s simply excited to play. When he’s good to go they’re going to name him again up.

“I simply wish to see him working arduous and getting reps. I in all probability gained’t use him on the ability play, though he might on this league. However that’s not what (the Canadiens) need from him within the NHL, so we’re going to present him some reps on the penalty-kill and five-on-five.”

With three video games over the subsequent 4 days, it shouldn’t take Harvey-Pinard lengthy to regain his legs. Laval entertains Belleville Friday evening, earlier than enjoying on the Senators rink on Saturday.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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