David Reinbacher‘s 2024-25 season began on a tough note. During a pre-season game against the Maple Leafs, he injured his left knee following a hit. The impact led to a surgery with a recovery time up to six months. Just like that, Reinbacher’s shot at earning a NHL roster spot disappeared.
Making the Most of the Setback
It’s tough to miss a big stretch of games at any point in a career, but especially true for a 20-year-old trying to adapt to North American hockey. The Montreal Canadiens did everything they could to limit the impact of his lost ice time.
“I was watching a lot of video with the coaches, watching different defensemen,” the Austrian said. The organization kept him involved throughout the year, mirroring the approach they took with Kirby Dach after his season-ending injury in 2023–24. “It was good being in the meetings with the coaches, seeing what they’re looking at, talking about the details, and getting asked by the coaches what I’m thinking of those plays.”
Road Back to Action
Reinbacher recovered faster than expected and returned to action in February with the Laval Rocket. The team followed a structured protocol to ease him back into the lineup, managing his practice time and the number of games he played. A minor setback sidelined him for another three weeks, but he suited up for all 13 of Laval’s playoff games during their deep run.
“It was a hard season for me with that injury. I grew as a man. I learned so much stuff. At the end, getting those games was a bonus. I was happy just to have those games and have some fun with the boys,” reflected the prospect.
“From Day 1 since he came back from his injury, you can tell the talent that he has. I’m really impressed with the strides he took to get used to this game. It’s not easy at that age to come to this league and play with men. I saw his game take a stride and the confidence he has to make plays, skate to the middle of the ice. He’s got a bright future ahead of him,” added teammate Tyler Wotherspoon.
The blueliner produced five points in 11 games during the regular season, and another six points in the postseason. His contribution on the scoresheet is not the only aspect on the ice that stood out.
“He’s a young man with a great mindset and a great computer that reads the game really well. His hockey sense is really good. The way he skates is really good. Agility for a big guy like him is really good. Coachable, great teammate. A little bit more grit than I expected. I didn’t see him refusing hits to make plays,” analyzed Pascal Vincent.
Preparing for Next Step
Last season didn’t offer the ideal conditions for Reinbacher’s development, but his long-term potential is still there. The summer focus is on building strength and moving past the knee injury, which he described as 99.5 percent healed.
“It’s not out of my head and it’s probably still going to be there through the summer when I start practising off the ice. Now is a good time to get it checked out and see what my knee looks like, and if everything is still fine. From there on, I’ll let it go from my head and focus on the next steps,” stated the fifth overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Reinbacher has another shot at earning an NHL roster spot during training camp. David Savard’s retirement leaves an open spot on right defence, with Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux appearing to be the top contenders to fill it. It is also possible the Canadiens decide to look outside the organization to address the vacancy.
If that’s the case, Reinbacher beginning the season in Laval shouldn’t raise concerns. As the year went on, Vincent steadily increased his responsibilities, giving him time on the top power play unit and a key role on the penalty kill. That will continue to be valuable for his development and eventual transition to the NHL.
