It's now confirmed for David Reinbacher and the Laval Rocket

A "thrilled" David Reinbacher joins the Rocket

"I'm finally here, and I'm so thrilled." This is how young defenseman David Reinbacher summed up his thoughts after his very first practice with the Laval Rocket.


Freshly arrived in Laval on Monday after his third professional season in Switzerland with EHC Kloten, the first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 draft met his new teammates on Tuesday at Place Bell before participating in a practice session.

"I think he had a good practice today," noted his head coach, Jean-François Houle. "It was a tough practice, and he handled it well. I think he's in a good state of mind, and the guys all welcomed him. We're happy to see him and happy to have him here."

The 19-year-old Austrian arrives as the Rocket is in the thick of the playoff race, with only 12 games left on its schedule. Well aware of this situation, Reinbacher said he is enthusiastic about facing this challenge.

"It's a great opportunity for me to finish the season on a high note," said the right-hander. "I'm really excited to be here. It couldn't be better than right now. I'm reuniting with all the guys I saw at training camp, we're having a good time, and we're making a push for the playoffs."

So, while his goals for the remainder of the season are to make his professional debut in North America, qualify for the playoffs, but also to learn and glean as much information "from every player and coach" within the club's fold in Laval.

As for adapting to Quebec life, Reinbacher will have little time outside of the arena and the bus in the days ahead as the team will soon begin a stretch of six games in nine days, but there are still a few gaps in his schedule.

"We already have players who have invited him to dinner at their homes. We have a good group here, and the guys will take good care of him off the ice," explained the head coach of the Canadiens' farm team.

The Rocket will play its next home game on Friday, March 29, when it faces off against the Belleville Senators.