The Montreal Canadiens prospect is adjusting to a new environment.

by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens Blogger

With the depth on defense for the Montreal Canadiens, the odds were against Adam Engstrom to begin the season in the National Hockey League (NHL). He left a good impression with management in the four matches he dressed before being part of the final cuts with Jakub Dobes, Logan Mailloux, and Joshua Roy.

Engstrom spent the last two seasons playing pro hockey in Sweden for Rogle BK Angelholm, where he collected 10 goals and 38 points in 94 games.

The defender made his official North American debut over the weekend as the Rocket opened their season with back-to-back games in Providence and Springfield.

“I feel better and better everyday. It’s a faster game, less time with the puck,” stated Engstrom about the required adjustments to the smaller rink, following Monday’s practice at Place Bell. “On the breakout, you need to make a decision a little bit faster because the checks are coming much faster and you need to have your head up. In the offensive zone, it doesn’t feel that much of a difference.”

The Canadiens 92nd pick overall from the 2022 draft showed his offensive ability in Laval’s 5-2 win versus the Providence Bruins on Friday when joining Logan Mailloux on a rush and banked in a rebound to record his first career goal in the American Hockey League (AHL). “It felt really nice to get [goal] in the first game and get it off my chest,” Engstrom spoke about the moment.

“There’s an adjustment for him. He was at rookie camp, then the NHL, then he came here. We can see that he can move the puck, he’s got good vision. What I like about him the most, is his passion for the game and we can see it. He’s a guy that wants to play hockey,” Pascal Vincent noted about the 20-year-old. “He had a good weekend. He’s a young player. We have to work on some of his details, but the foundation is good.”

As the Rocket prepare for their home opener this Friday against the Syracuse Crunch, the Canadiens prospect is looking forward to the atmosphere of a sold out Place Bell that he’s been told about.

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