Veteran forward Charles Hudon brings 110 games of NHL experience with him to the Rocket. The Alma native has enjoyed considerable success in the AHL, recording 162 points (75G, 87A) in 207 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs and St. John's IceCaps. Hudon's teammate in Montreal last season, Matthew Peca, will be suiting up in Laval and brings 59 NHL games of experience with him along with 134 points (34G, 100A) in 204 AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch on his resume. They'll be joined by newcomers Phil Varone (NHL: 97 GP, 8G, 9A) and Riley Barber, who has 180 career points in the AHL in 237 games with the Hershey Bears along with three games with the Washington Capitals.
The Rocket will have to do without the services of forward Michael McCarron, who is slated to be out until early or mid-November with a groin injury.
On the backend
Rocket fans will get the chance to see the Canadiens' second-round pick (56th overall) in 2017, Josh Brook, after getting a look at the 20-year-old for a seven-game stint in Laval last season where he earned one assist. Before joining Bouchard's squad, the Roblin, MB native enjoyed the best season of his Western Hockey League (WHL) career where he finished first among league defensemen with 16 goals and 75 points in 59 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Laval will also benefit from the addition of Otto Leskinen for 2019-20. The 22-year-old Finn signed with the Habs as a free agent on May 7 after playing with Kalpa in the Finnish Liiga. Leskinen, who went undrafted, collected eight goals and 31 points in 57 games last season in Finland.
The Rocket will enjoy the return of some familiar faces as well, starting with Xavier Ouellet, who makes his return as captain for a second straight season. The Detroit Red Wings' second-round pick (48th overall) in 2011 led all Laval defensemen with seven goals and 28 points in 47 contests. Veteran Karl Alzner will also be back with Laval. The 31-year-old defenseman scored a goal and added five assists in 34 games last season.