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Kent Hughes has been very busy in the last two weeks. First, he signed blue-chip goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler to an ELC that will start next season and to an amateur tryout contract that allows him to join the Laval Rocket for their upcoming playoff run. Then, he signed perhaps the most exciting offensive player Montreal has had the chance to call its own in decades when he put pen to paper with Ivan Demidov. Lost in the excitement of inking the young Russian was his signing Tyler Thorpe to an ELC and an ATO.
Canadiens: Demidov Has Landed And May Be Perfect For St-Louis
Canadiens: An Opportunity For Fowler
Canadiens: Where Does Demidov Slot In?
But there’s another Montreal Canadiens prospect who’s free to sign an ELC. While most Habs fans watched Tony Marinaro’s live feed of Ivan Demidov arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport, Sam Harris and the University of Denver’s Pioneers lost their Frozen Four semifinal matchup with Western Michigan 3-2 in second overtime.
The defending national champions couldn’t make the final this time, and the question now is: Will Sam Harris sign an ELC contract? Is he ready to turn pro? Does he want to?
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Harris has made good progress in his sophomore season in Denver. In his freshman year, he scored 21 points in 42 games and won the Frozen Four. This season, he put up 35 points in 42 games, and while he was kept off the scoresheet in yesterday’s semifinal, he still played a good match.
As Russ Cohen wrote yesterday, signing him would be a good idea for the Canadiens. He could be a good piece for the Laval Rocket even though he’s not overly big; he still plays tough, has a lot of heart, and knows how to get to the right areas. Does that description remind you of another fifth-round pick by any chance? One taken 147th overall in 2010 who is now the 15th best goal scorer in Canadiens’ history? That’s right. Alternate captain Brendan Gallagher was also taken in that round.
Montreal will hold Harris’s signing rights until August 15, 2027, but if they feel he’s ready to jump, there’s no time like the present. Last July, in a development camp scrimmage game, the winger put up three goals and turned a few heads in the process.
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