David Reinbacher performed admirably during his brief time in Laval last year, proving himself to be a dependable defenseman with a versatile skill set on the ice. This gave reassurance to those who had been following his progress in Switzerland.
However, Reinbacher’s North American career is still in its early stages, and he has a significant journey ahead to become the player the Canadiens envisioned when they selected him so high in the 2023 draft.
Reinbacher is fully aware of the pressure he faces. He knows that many fans had hoped for Matvei Michkov to be drafted by Montreal instead. But this doesn’t faze him.
While Michkov might capture the imagination of Habs fans in the coming months, and the presence of Ivan Demidov in the organization might ease some of the pressure, the Austrian defenseman remains unfazed.
This sentiment was echoed in a recent conversation with Nicolas Cloutier (TVA Sports), where Reinbacher shared his focus following his summer training.
From the TVA Sports interview, it’s clear that Reinbacher is working hard to tune out distractions and focus solely on hockey.
For instance, he had been studying to become a headhunter and even completed an internship with a human resources consulting firm. However, this summer, he’s set those pursuits aside to concentrate on training alongside the likes of Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Pius Suter, and Janis Moser, ensuring he’s prepared for the upcoming Canadiens training camp.
His goal is clear: to make his NHL debut in the first game of the season and avoid starting the year in Laval.
“That’s what I’ve been training for all summer,” Reinbacher said.
Of course, it’s expected that any player would express such aspirations. But Reinbacher will need to demonstrate his determination and ability to compete at the next training camp.
Even so, the Canadiens’ blue line is crowded, making his task more challenging.
Reinbacher, who will soon be seeking an apartment in Quebec, can at least approach camp in peak condition. His knees are fully recovered, and his hand is no longer bothering him, leaving him physically ready.
It’s encouraging to hear from Cloutier that Reinbacher is dedicated to improving his shot, skating, stickhandling, and corner work. It’s certainly preferable to hearing the opposite.
Stay tuned for the next camp.
