Pats’ Fleury inks deal with Habs
Reinforcements are not on the way for the winless Regina Pats.
The WHL club learned Thursday that its top defenceman, Cale Fleury, has signed a three-year entrylevel contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the third round of the 2017 NHL draft.
Although Fleury is eligible to return to Regina as a 20-year-old, his signing indicates the Canadiens plan to keep him. He’s with their top minor-league affiliate, the AHL’S Laval Rocket.
“That’s excellent for him,” said Pats GM John Paddock, who acquired Fleury from the Kootenay Ice last November. “I think playing for us had lots to do with it (because of ) how he played in the one round of playoffs and the Memorial Cup. If he was able to carry over how he finished the season — he was a very high-level player — then it’s not surprising (to see him turn pro). That’s what he was looking for. In some ways we may have had other thoughts but obviously you’re hoping for the best for a player. It is what it is.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Paddock had not heard from anyone in the Canadiens organization to confirm their plans for Fleury. The assumption is he’ll turn pro. “I don’t know anything more than you’ve seen — that he signed a contract,” Paddock said. “We can assume what that means for the most part. We know based on history that someone can come back. I guess there’s a small percentage that’s up in the air but I haven’t talked to them.”
Fleury’s departure leaves the Pats with three 20-year-old defencemen: Liam Schioler, Brady Pouteau and Aaron Hyman. Pouteau is expected to return in early November from off-season shoulder surgery.
The Pats have also placed 20-year-old forward Bryce Platt on WHL waivers for the purpose of releasing him. Assuming he goes unclaimed, Platt is expected to join the SJHL’S Estevan Bruins.
His departure — combined with Fleury ’s signing — allows Regina to settle its three-man overage quota ahead of the WHL’S 20-year-old deadline on Oct. 10.
Although it’s unusual for a team to deploy three overage defencemen, Paddock is comfortable with that configuration. Part of the reason is because of what Schioler, Hyman and Pouteau bring to a relatively inexperienced team from a leadership and character standpoint.
“We look at it as a strength,” Paddock added. “We’re talking about three outstanding citizens of the team who are solid players and can play on any team in the league. They know how we want things done. That’s very important to carry that message on to younger players. We have some young defencemen that we like. They’re playing lots right now in Nikita (Sedov) and Ryker (Evans). It’s a good situation.”
EXTRAS: Former Pats captain Sam Steel (Anaheim Ducks) made his NHL debut Wednesday in a 5-2 win over San Jose. He had no points in 13 minutes of ice time. Another expat, RW Austin Wagner, has been named to the season-opening roster of the Los Angeles Kings, who open Friday versus San Jose ... The Pats assigned F Justyn Gurney to the BCHL’S Surrey Eagles. The 18-year-old forward was acquired last spring from the Calgary Hitmen for a sixth-round pick in 2019.