For the second straight year, the top draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens was forced into trying to convince a portion of the fan base that they were indeed the right choice.
Both Juraj Slafkovský and David Reinbacher were met by negativity or shock by a small group of fans. Both left their home countries to play professionally at a young age. While the boos that Slafkovský faced paled in comparison to the negativity Reinbacher faced by a very small, but vocal, part of the fan base, they both were set to be the best they could be.
Slafkovský said after being the pick that he hopes he can make the fans like him one day. That’s still a work in progress after a tough rookie season that saw him play only 39 games.
When Reinbacher met the media for the first time in Montreal after being drafted in Nashville, he wanted to focus on the positive.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Reinbacher said about the negative messages he received on social media. “I read the good messages. Thanks to all the fans who wrote the good messages. It’s time to work. [There’s] a lot of work to do. If they talk negative, probably I will prove them wrong one day. I will work at it.”
He says the fan base in Montreal is signifcantly different and more passionate the one he faced in Kloten, where he played in the Swiss professional league. He says that the pressure is a privilege.
“It’s my dream to play in the NHL with this franchise,” Reinbacher said. “There’s a big cup that’s waiting.
It’s so special. You also look up to the guys like Cole Caufield, Suzuki, Carey Price and now they’re texting you, it’s crazy.”
He says the group at development camp and team management has been very welcoming, and making the tougher times easier.
“It’s like a family. Everyone cares about everyone,” he said.”
In some cases, it is like a reunion. Reinbacher played with 2022 Canadiens draft pick Vincenz Rohrer since they were kids in the national team program. He says the two have been trying to have it sink in that they will persue their NHL team in the same organization.
One of the biggest adjustments Reinbacher will have to make is adjusting to the smaller rink. He has played World Junior championships in North America on the ice, so he knows a little bit of what to expect.
“It’s a smaller rink so everything is a little bit faster. You have to be prepared for it. It was a good first practice, and tomorrow I need to prove them I belong here,” Reinbacher said.
“It’s not time to put your head down, it’s time to learn.”
He says that the last week has been a dream come true.
“It’s incredible, the last couple of days. It’s every kid’s dream,” he said. “If the fans are [negative], you have to be prepared for it. I’ll try to prove them wrong.”
After the practice, Reinbacher was able to receive a book with many positive messages on social media to welcome him to Montreal.
Merci à tous nos partisans qui ont préparé cette compilation de messages de bienvenue pour David! 🫶
Your messages for David have been received!#GoHabsGo | @RBCfr | @RBC https://t.co/fs9vU0xu39 pic.twitter.com/KDSNLQyIt9
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 2, 2023
“I got a nice gift before, they wrote some nice messages, I’ll have a look at it after.”
Reinbacher and the rest of the Canadiens’ development camp roster had a trip to tour the Bell Centre on Sunday, and Reinbacher said he will stay an extra night and explore downtown after camp ends.
The Canadiens have another day of practice on Monday before camp ends with a scrimmage on Tuesday. The public is allowed to attend and watch the action from outside the two rinks at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.
