The Montreal Canadiens have sent defenceman Xavier Ouellet to the Laval Rocket.
Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur Xavier Ouellet au Rocket de Laval.
The Canadiens have assigned defenseman Xavier Ouellet to the AHL’s Laval Rocket.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 3, 2021
Ouellet was previously on the taxi squad. As the team has eight defencemen on the NHL roster, they would need two additional injuries (along with Shea Weber) to be able to recall the Laval Rocket captain. The team has exhausted all of their regular recalls and therefore can only call players up in an emergency situation.
The Rocket have games Tuesday and Friday this week at the Bell Centre and Ouellet will be available for those games instead of just practicing with the NHL club. They play the Belleville Senators on Tuesday and the Toronto Marlies on Friday. Laval can clinch the AHL’s Canadian division with a win.
Ouellet has played five NHL games this season but does not have a point. He has two goals and one assist in 13 games in the American Hockey League this year.
Cale Fleury is also working his way back from injury for the Rocket.
Update
The Rocket also released an update on some injured players. Joseph Blandisi and Joël Teasdale will see their remarkable seasons end due to knee injuries requiring surgery. Michael Pezzetta had surgery for a facial fracture and is essentially out for the remainder of the regular season. The team said four weeks, which is after the final game on May 17.
MEDICAL UPDATE
Blandisi and Teasdale both suffered season-ending knee injuries. Both players will undergo surgery in the coming days.
Michael Pezzetta has suffered a facial fracture. He has undergone surgery and the recovery period is approximately four weeks. pic.twitter.com/wmDbcf1EjX
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 3, 2021
