Like most NHL teams, the Montreal Canadiens are holding a development camp this week to get a look at the players they’ve just drafted and to assess those they drafted in previous years who are still in the development process. Yesterday, the prospects underwent various physical tests, and today, they finally took to the ice.
The first on-ice session featured the organization’s goaltending prospects: Alexis Cournoyer, Arseni Radkov, Mikus Vecvanags, and Yevgeni Volokhin. They spent the first 15 minutes working on skating and positioning drills before being joined on the ice by six forwards to face some shots.
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Michael Hage, Filip Eriksson, Sam Harris, Tyler Thorpe, Israel Mianscum, and surprise addition Jack Gorton, son of Jeff Gorton, who plays with Boston University, all spent over an hour testing the goaltenders with various kinds of shots and in different drills.
The forwards and defensemen then went to the ice on two separate rinks. The forwards participated in several drills, the first of which was a one-on-one scenario. Despite being the shortest player at camp, LJ Mooney displayed a lot of agility and an ability to hang onto the puck. Even though he’s not tall, he’s strong and hard enough to move off the puck. They then worked an interesting drill, which started as a two-on-two before a third attacker joined the play.
On the other ice, the blueliners were put through their paces with various passing and shooting drills under the watchful eye of Montreal Victoire coach Kori Cheverie, one of the guest coaches. Speaking of watchful eyes, Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton, and Trevor Letowsky were keeping a close eye on proceedings by the forward’s rink.
The Canadiens made some of the prospects’ media availability available online, and these kids seem to have their heads on straight. LJ Mooney was an interesting interview to watch; he’s Logan Cooley’s cousin and said that he grew up with him, but was also fortunate enough to train with him. When asked if he was still growing, he only shrugged and said he didn’t know and didn’t think it mattered. As for someone to look up to in the game, he mentioned Cole Caufield right away.
Centre L.J. Mooney is the smallest player at Canadiens development camp at 5-foot-7 and 162 pounds, but also one of the most skilled. #Habs selected him in fourth round (113th overall) of last Friday’s NHL Draft. He is inspired by Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson. pic.twitter.com/m3Bllgr7pZ
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2025
As for Aatos Koivu, he looked incredibly excited to be there. He wasn’t at development camp last time around and had a bit of a rough year after catching mononucleosis and being out for five weeks, but he did add that he learned a lot from the challenges of the latest season. He’s in town with his whole family, and while some people have recognized his father on the streets, the fans have been respectful, and no one has gone overboard. He was blown away by the Bell Center and the organization and said it would mean everything to one day play for the Canadiens. Kovu also repeated numerous times how much he loves the city.
Alexis Cournoyer was still beaming with excitement and sought advice from his cousin, Olivier Cournoyer, who is a boxer who has competed at the Olympics. Asked which goaltender he idolized growing up, he answered it used to be Carey Price, but it’s now Samuel Montembeault. In the Summer, he’s been training with the Canadiens’ goaltender for years, and he texted him right after he was drafted. Asked about the fact he’d be facing the best Canadiens’ prospects at camp, he replied right away that he’s not worried about it since he’s one of the best as well. Describing his compete level, the goaltender said he constantly battles to the very end for a puck; he never gives up. As for whether his dad went through his draft promise on social media, the youngster laughed and said Oh no, I made sure of it.
Michael Hage, who was in his second development camp, enjoyed his day at camp, saying it was tough but a lot of fun. He mentions that he still needs to get stronger and work hard in the gym; he has put on 10 pounds; he has realized in the NCAA that it’s not easy to play against older players. He said that he will be at Team Canada’s camp at the end of the month, unlike last year. Asked about what he thinks when he hear people suggest the Canadiens need to sign a center as a stop gap solution until he’s ready, he explained that he doesn’t listen to that kind of noise and focuses on becoming the best player he can be, the type of a player a coach knows what he’s going to get when he puts him on the ice.
Michael Hage est en forme. pic.twitter.com/mJ2a8a1tvF
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) July 2, 2025
Tomorrow, the prospects will return to the ice for the final day of development camp, which will feature a Red vs. White scrimmage. It'll be the last bit of organized action in Brossard until rookie camp starts in September, and until then, we’ll be keeping an eye on Hughes. You never know when the GM will surprise the league with another deal.
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