A final full training session for the CH, a first for Joël Teasdale

One last full workout. One last trip. If for the veterans of the team the countdown towards the end of the season is very real, Joël Teasdale counts the hours before experiencing the beginning of an important chapter.

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Teasdale will don the Canadiens’ uniform for the first time when they visit UBS Arena on Long Island for a showdown against the Islanders, a team still battling for playoff qualification.

At age 24, Teasdale will make every hockey player’s dream come true, that of reaching the NHL.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was little,” the winger said after training before the team left for New York. I was playing in the roundabout when I was four years old with a Canadiens jersey on my back. To wear the logo is quite big.

“It feels good,” he continued. Any player who plays in the American League, it’s his goal to be recalled. To have this chance, I am grateful. The Canadian shows class with me. I found out after the Rocket game, after a big win. It’s a little extra candy, it’s nice to be rewarded for my season.

Two reminders

For this 81st and penultimate game of the season, the Habs have chosen their side. The successes of the Rocket and the quest for a place in the playoffs take precedence over the result of the meeting between the CH and the Islanders.

Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Jesse Ylönen, Corey Schueneman and Cayden Primeau will stay in Laval rather than return with the big club. In this context, Kent Hughes recalled Teasdale and defender Frédéric Allard. Jake Allen, who is still not 100%, will act as the number two guard.

“I understand it, affirmed Martin St-Louis when questioned on this reality. It’s a balance. You come to a time where the balance has to go this way [Laval] for the right reasons.”

Reinvigorated by the returns of “RHP”, Ylönen, Schueneman and Primeau, the Rocket signed a significant victory of 4 to 0, Monday, against the Penguins of Wilkes-Barre / Scranton.

After this meeting, Teasdale met Hughes and St-Louis to learn that he was to join the CH. Wednesday evening in Long Island, he will still keep an eye on the result of the game between the Rocket and the Toronto Marlies which will take place the same evening at Place Bell.

“Yes, I’ll think about it,” he replied. I’ve been playing with them for three years. We are in the race for the series. I’m still part of the team. I want them to win, I want to play in the playoffs with them and go as far as possible.

A long road

Never drafted, Teasdale signed a contract with CH in September 2018 after a simple invitation to the camp. A few months later, he won the Memorial Cup with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Harvey-Pinard was one of his teammates.

But after the Memorial Cup happiness, he had bad luck. A right knee ligament tear ruined his first season as a pro in 2019-20. He didn’t play for a year and a half due to his injury, but also the pandemic.

And in April 2021, his right knee failed him again during a game against the Belleville Senators. Still absent for several months, he returned to the game on January 28, 2022.

For Teasdale, this first game in the NHL will symbolize a great victory. That of perseverance.

“It is sure that with my second injury with my knee, I was discouraged, he recalled. It was a big setback with a second operation in less than three years. I thought about it a bit [arrêter de jouer], but my character is one of my strengths. I come out stronger from these trials. I’m showing it again.”

Peaks

In his third season with the Rocket, Teasdale reached career highs with 23 goals, 15 assists, 38 points and 57 games.

He was third in team scoring behind Anthony Richard (60) and Peter Abbandonato (46).

“It’s fun to see him, I’ve known him for a long time,” said goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault. I was with the Armada when he debuted at 16. I followed his performances with the Rocket. At the start of the season, it was more difficult for him, but he still put on his work boots. He always has a good attitude.”

Also recalled by the Habs, Allard will be on his second NHL experience this season. Acquired from the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline, the defender donned the CH uniform against the Golden Knights in Vegas on March 5. He was scoreless in just five games with the Rocket.