Goaltender Andrew Hammond will make his Montreal Canadiens debut on Sunday afternoon against the New York Islanders.
Martin St-Louis confirme que Andrew Hammond obtiendra le départ dimanche face aux Islanders.
Martin St-Louis confirms that Andrew Hammond will start on Sunday against the Islanders.#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 19, 2022
Recently acquired from the Minnesota Wild, Hammond played his last NHL game on April 4, 2018. He lined up for the Colorado Avalanche in a 5-0 loss during game three of the Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators.
“(Hammond) will play tomorrow and we’ll go back with Montembeault on Monday with the back-to-back,” said coach Martin St. Louis. “He’s a guy that hasn’t played in the NHL for three-to-four years but he kept working on his game and his attitude. He’s a guy that seems to love hockey and it’s fun to give guys that keep working a chance to get back in the NHL.”
Hammond has since played in the AHL and was on the Wild’s taxi squad last season until ending up in Montreal.
“I’m through the roof excited,” added Hammond. “Last year was difficult at times but I think it gave me a good opportunity to get ready for this moment so when I do play I feel like I’ll be ready.”
“Last year I learned a lot about staying ready and being ready for opportunities when they come your way and I think that I’ve taken that lesson with me this year and as it’s unfolded in the last week we’ve learned how quickly things can change and I’m just so excited for the opportunity to play when I do.”
St. Louis added that he thinks Ben Chiarot could make his return to the lineup during the Habs’ back-to-back, and as soon as Sunday. Joel Armia is still listed as day-to-day, the winger received a skate to the face during last Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues.
St-Louis ajoute que Ben Chiarot a des chances de revenir au jeu dimanche à New York.
St-Louis adds that Ben Chiarot could return to the lineup on Sunday in New York.#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 19, 2022
Chiarot may be hopping on the ice earlier than planned as the Canadiens announced Saturday afternoon that defenceman Corey Schueneman had been place on COVID-19 protocol.
Le défenseur Corey Schueneman a été placé sur le protocole de la COVID-19 et n'accompagnera pas l'équipe à New York.
Defenseman Corey Schueneman entered the COVID-19 protocol and will not travel with the team to New York.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 19, 2022
Schueneman had been recalled from AHL affiliate Laval Rocket on Feb. 13 when Chiarot had initially been place on injured reserve. The 26-year-old played two games since his call-up, recording one assist.
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