Next Man Up: Trust the process

There's a famous adage in sports: trust the process.

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It's certainly a wise strategy in many cases, especially when it comes to prospect development.
But it can be particularly daunting for players who have their eyes set on the ultimate prize: an eventual ascension to the NHL.
For some players it takes a few years of hard work in the AHL to reach that pinnacle. For others, like defenseman Corey Schueneman, the process might take a detour via the ECHL.
But as the Milford, Michigan native explains in Next Man Up, the organization's Web series dedicated to showing the behind-the-scenes realities of life with the Laval Rocket, in the end, it doesn't matter how long it takes, or which path they travel. Players simply want to experience the best feeling possible for a rookie looking to make their way to the big leagues; the call from management confirming they're now a member of an NHL team.
"This is what every kid looks for and hopes for," said Schueneman, whose first recall to join the Canadiens came on December 3, 2021. "To make their NHL debut at some point, whether it's a COVID situation or not. I got the call and I'll be ready. It's a unique situation for everyone. So it's the same thing down there. Guys that get called up [from the ECHL] to go play in Laval, it's the next man up. Take advantage of your opportunity when it arises. It's the same thing for me."

The 26-year-old quickly turned heads in his NHL debut and has since established himself as a player-to-watch, who could play a significant role in the Canadiens' future.
Schueneman trusted the process and was rewarded in due time.
"What every kid dreams of is to play that first game and on," he said. "I did it and it was exciting, for sure."

While it took the undrafted rearguard several years to eventually earn his chance, the opportunities came much quicker for others, although they're not always permanent.
Laurent Dauphin, for example, made his NHL debut at the tender age of 20. Following a serious injury and several trades, he landed with the Laval Rocket in a bid to earn another chance at fulfilling his dream.
It took a lot of hard work and dedication, not to mention some time spent on the taxi squad, but Dauphin finally earned the call, spending a significant portion of 2022 with the Canadiens.
"He took advantage of his chance," said Laval Rocket head coach Jean-Francois Houle. "He understood that if he was to stay this time around, it was really his best opportunity. He proved to everyone that he was capable of playing at that level."
There's no doubt Dauphin took advantage of his time in Laval to improve his work rate, but most importantly, his time in the AHL allowed him to play without the weight of heightened expectations on his back.
Simply put, it allowed him to be himself again, as he explained in Next Man Up.
"It was about playing without thinking and not second-guessing myself as I played," he said. "Being intense and doing what I do without questioning myself, and being the player I am at the moment [also helped]. I'm a better player now than I was three years ago, definitely."

The advantage of trusting the process extends well beyond possible call ups for various prospects. It gives players a clear example of what it takes to earn the promotion.
"It's good for the organization and it's good for Laval," said Houle. "But it's also good for team spirit. It's exciting and encouraging for the others when players get called up and you see them on TV, and then they do well in the NHL. It allows them to think, maybe they too will get a chance one day."
It's nearly impossible for a player to spend too much time maturing in the minors. Even the most talented players in the AHL, the ones who dazzle fans on a nightly basis, are well-served by spending a significant amount of time fine-tuning their skills and learning how to become professionals.
However, there's a laundry list of players who have struggled to find consistency in the NHL following a rushed promotion.
As the Canadiens continue to stockpile picks and exciting prospects, they'll be able to point to players like Schueneman and Dauphin as perfect examples of why it's important to trust the process.
Next Man Up is available on YouTube and HabsTV.