After narrowly missing the final roster during training camp, Swedish defenceman Adam Engstrom has forced his way into the Montreal Canadiens' plans through sheer dominance in the American Hockey League. The 22-year-old was officially recalled by the NHL club on Sunday and has joined the team for their current road trip.
From Camp Cut to Canadiens Contender
Adam Engstrom was among Montreal's final preseason cuts, but his recent performance with the AHL's Laval Rocket made him impossible to ignore. The third-round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft has been lighting up the scoreboard with five goals and 14 points in just 18 games, already matching his entire goal output from his rookie season.
His promotion comes on the heels of an extraordinary weekend that saw him score in overtime against Belleville on Friday, followed by a career-defining performance on Saturday where he recorded one goal and four assists in Laval's 7-2 victory over the Senators. This outstanding play earned him the AHL Player of the Week honor, with the Canadiens announcing his recall the very next day.
Rapid Adjustment to North American Game
What makes Engstrom's ascent particularly impressive is his unusually quick adaptation to the North American style of hockey. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged the defender's exceptional form, stating, "It's hard not to recall Adam, because he's excelling right now."
Laval Rocket coach Pascal Vincent highlighted the numerous challenges Engstrom has overcome since arriving from Sweden. "A new organization, new language, new town. The food's different. Everything's different," Vincent explained. "I thought he adjusted really quick - faster than usual for a young, European player."
Vincent noted that Engstrom found his footing in the second half of last season and carried that momentum through summer training into an impressive camp. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenceman has worked specifically on improving his defensive reliability while maintaining the puck-moving skills that made him an intriguing prospect.
Embracing the NHL Opportunity
While there's no guarantee Engstrom will see game action during the Canadiens' three-games-in-four-days road trip, the young Swede is embracing the experience regardless. "Just to be here is a big experience for me and I want to take everything in," Engstrom said after practicing with the team in Brossard before departing for Salt Lake City.
He added: "I benefit a lot. It's the experience of being here. How the guys practise and train." Engstrom has been playing on his off-side (right defence) with Laval while paired with veteran Tobie Bisson, demonstrating the versatility that could help him crack Montreal's lineup.
The defenceman attributes his success to focusing on the details. "I've been trying to get stronger, trying to read plays, watching video. All the small details. I think it has helped," Engstrom explained. "I don't want to change my game. This is how I've been playing my whole life. I'm here now and we'll see how it goes."
With the Canadiens carrying seven defencemen, Engstrom might need to wait for his opportunity, but his rapid development and current hot streak suggest that opportunity may come sooner rather than later.
