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We knew it was coming when David Reinbacher’s Swiss team HC Kloten was eliminated from playoffs contention last Friday, but it’s now finally happening. The organization’s latest first-round pick is coming back on this side of the pond, and he’ll start his North American pro career with the Laval Rocket.
If Reinbacher’s selection was met with disgruntlement by many fans in a deep draft up front, now that the Canadiens are all but eliminated from playoff contention, they’ll be more than happy to follow the right-shot defenseman’s progress in Laval.
Kent Hughes decided before the start of the season that Reinbacher would benefit from one more year of hockey in Switzerland under the tutelage of Gerry Fleming, the HC Kloten head coach. Unfortunately for Hughes, Fleming didn’t last long behind their bench as he was fired before the end of November.
HC Kloten had a subpar season on all fronts, and it has been a factor in Reinbacher’s diminished offensive output. It’s hard to produce on an imploding team and the 19-year-old could only muster 11 points in 35 games this season after putting up 22 points in 46 games last year.
With Justin Barron and Logan Mailloux already patrolling the right side of the defense, the addition of Reinbacher should make for a dominating right side. If they all pan out and perform as expected, they should solve the organization’s problem on the right side.
To make room for Reinbacher, the Rocket sent Chris Jandric to the Trois-Rivieres Lions. Jean-François Houle’s men were obliterated 7-1 by the Toronto Marlies last night and their next game takes place on Friday against the Belleville Senators. It remains to be seen if Reinbacher will step right in or if the coach will give him some time to acclimate and learn the team’s system, but one way or another, he’ll soon be taking the first strides of his North American pro career and we’ll be there to watch it.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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