Reinbacher ready to prove doubters wrong with Canadiens

BROSSARD, Quebec --David Reinbacher is ready to prove the doubters wrong with the Montreal Canadiens.

The 18-year-old defenseman was selected by Montreal with the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, becoming the highest selected Austria-born player at his position.

However, his selection was met with negative comments on social media.

"I guess if they will talk negatively, probably I will prove them wrong one day," Reinbacher said. "I'll work for it. I'm excited to be here. It's the next step for my dream to play one day in the NHL with this franchise."

Reinbacher, who had 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) in 46 games for Kloten of the National League, the top men's professional league in Switzerland, added that he has already been reached out to by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Carey Price.

"Now you're here and they're texting you, like, it's crazy. I can't believe it," Reinbacher said. "I'm enjoying the moment, but you've got to know when to work, when to be ready for it."

Reinbacher (6-foot-2, 194 pounds) began his work with the Canadiens at development camp earlier this month, where he was often paired with Lane Hutson, who was selected by Montreal in the second round (No. 62) of the 2022 NHL Draft.

"It's just good to be out there with someone who's really good at killing plays and obviously protecting me," Hutson said. "And I've been clicking with him all week, so it was just good to be out there with him. He was good at getting open. We were running some give-and-gos, and he always found himself going to the net and no one was picking him up, so that was good. He's going to be really good. You can see it. He wants to get better; he wants to be good every day."

Canadiens director of player development Rob Ramage echoed Hutson, saying the "big, raw kid" impressed him throughout camp. He also noted how much Reinbacher wanted to deliver when the crowd in attendance cheered on his shootout attempt.

"I was talking to him just as we were walking off the ice," Ramage said. "He was disappointed he didn't score, he had chances and everything else. It's July, for crying out loud! He just wanted to do so well for everybody."

Reinbacher signed a three-year contract with the Canadiens on July 5, one day after development camp ended, but that's not the only thing he's taking back home to Austria for the summer. He also has a workout plan and a booklet filled with messages from Canadiens fans who wanted him to know they're happy he's part of the team.

"Thanks to all the fans who were writing some good messages," Reinbacher said. "I felt very welcome, especially from the staff, from the owners, the GM. They welcomed me with warm arms, I would say. Now it's time to work. A lot of work to do, so I'm excited for that."