There has been speculation as far back as mid-March that Jacob de la Rose would be coming to North America to play hockey next season, due in part to his attempt to leave Leksand last summer and play for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, and his contract in the Swedish Hockey League ending.
That speculation ramped up when it was announced that de la Rose had signed a three year entry level contract with the Montreal Canadiens in mid-April, but nothing was set in stone.
In an interview with Hockey Sverige, de la Rose says that he has made his decision and will be coming to North America next season, with his eye on earning a roster spot with the Canadiens, though he knows that due to his age it’s most likely that he will end up in Hamilton, and he’s okay with that.
He also mentions that after a year in the SHL, he feels that he is now mature enough to make the move to North America, and that he hopes his move will get other Swedes to come over and fight for a place in Montreal, perhaps a little wink and a nudge to top Swedish defenseman Magnus Nygren.
De la Rose says that he will attend Habs rookie summer camp in July, then come back over in September to attend rookie training camp, and the full training camp in an attempt to force his way onto the Habs.
Taken in the second round, 34th overall in the draft pick the Canadiens received from Nashville in exchange for Andrei Kostitsyn, de la Rose is a 200 foot player with size, physicality, and speed, though he will need to develop his scoring touch.
