David Reinbacher made a strong impression during his brief time in Laval last year, proving himself as a dependable defenseman capable of contributing in many ways on the ice. This performance reassured those who followed his progress in Switzerland.
However, his North American career is just starting, and he has a long journey ahead before he can become the player the Canadiens envisioned when they drafted him high in 2023.
Reinbacher is fully aware of the pressure on him, especially knowing that many fans had hoped the Canadiens would select Matvei Michkov instead. But he’s not letting that bother him.
While Michkov might capture the imagination of Habs fans in the coming months, and Ivan Demidov’s presence in the organization could ease some of the pressure, Reinbacher remains unfazed.
In a recent conversation with TVA Sports’ Nicolas Cloutier, the Austrian prospect shared that he’s focused on cutting through the outside noise to concentrate on his game.
For instance, while he was previously studying to become a headhunter and even had an internship with a human resources consulting firm, this summer, he’s solely focused on hockey. He’s been training more frequently alongside players like Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Pius Suter, and Janis Moser, aiming to be in top form for the next Canadiens training camp.
His goal is clear: to start the season in the NHL, not in Laval, and to make his debut in the first game of the season. Reinbacher is preparing well for this challenge, with his knees fully healed and his hand no longer bothering him.
Of course, it’s common for players to express their ambition and determination ahead of training camp, but it’s encouraging to hear from Cloutier that Reinbacher is diligently working on his skills—his shot, skating, stickhandling, and battling in the corners.
We’ll see how things unfold at the next camp.
