David Reinbacher is currently in Switzerland. He’s back with Kloten after suffering an injury, allowing him to (finally) continue his progress towards becoming an excellent defender.
It’s worth remembering that the CH, whether for field hockey reasons or because of media pressure, decided that Reinbacher should continue his development in Europe, not Quebec.
Playing in Switzerland takes some of the pressure off Reinbacher, but the fact remains that he can still be found.
Guillaume Lefrançois recently headed to Europe to talk to the Flanelle’s first pick of 2023. Click here to read the results.
David Reinbacher | Waiting for Montreal https://t.co/vHoFl7txq5
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) November 6, 2023
What stands out in La Presse’s text is that the young man’s attitude is clearly the opposite of that of Matvei Michkov, who was available when the CH reached the podium.
You can feel it when Lefrançois reports what his friends have to say on the subject.
He’s always happy, and if you have a problem, he’ll talk to you in a positive way to cheer you up. – his best friend Lenz Moosbrugger
Even though there’s a lot of hype around him, in a big market, he’s remained humble. He’s remained friendly, taking the news. – Canadian hope Vinzenz Rohrer
It’s an attitude that might remind you of Cole Caufield. After all, have you ever heard anyone say that Caufield had a bad attitude or that he wasn’t happy?
I haven’t either.
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That said, there are differences between the two young men. And I’m not just talking about the difference in size between the Flanelle’s two first-round picks…
Reinbacher seems more self-conscious than Caufield, basically. He’s more reserved, and while it may have taken Caufield some time to talk to the club’s veterans as if nothing had happened, today he’s talking to everyone.
Reinbacher, on the other hand, is a little embarrassed. He still talks to the Sean Farrell, Logan Mailloux and Filip Mesar of this world, but he feels he must first earn the respect of the veterans before talking to them.
That must explain why his coach in Switzerland (Gerry Fleming) finds him “too humble” at times.
He likes to redirect attention to his teammates. He believes in himself, but doesn’t want the spotlight on him. He understands that he’s good, but doesn’t want to come across as arrogant. – Gerry Flemming
Being in Switzerland, away from the pressure of Montreal, allows him to remain that person. He doesn’t have the pressure of the media, he plays in an arena in the middle of the woods, he lives with his father, his girlfriend is close by…
In short, he’s in his comfort zone – and it shows on the ice.
David Reinbacher(#GoHabsGo) returned to play on Friday after having missed a few weeks with an injury.
Definitely looked a bit rusty with some of his handling, decision-making and defensive reads. But there were also some strong moments, particularly in transition.
Examples: pic.twitter.com/2FG85k7zhz
– Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) November 5, 2023
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It’s obviously too early to say whether he’ll be able to stay in North America himself. But as he seems to have a good head on his shoulders, it’s safe to assume that he will.
After all, the fact that he broke the ice at training camp in September (it made him nervous, according to a Kloten teammate) gives him a glimpse of what to expect next.
And without necessarily talking about culture shock, he knows that things won’t be the same in Montreal as they are in Switzerland.
He realized this when he was cut from the CH camp. He learned the news before talking to management and Martin St-Louis, since he received his plane ticket before the conversation, which was nonetheless described as positive.
So it’s best to enjoy his life close to home, avoiding the media and working as a headhunter to take his mind off things once in a while.
After all, eventually, his life will change.
Gossip
– The CH train at 10:30 this morning… at the Bell Centre. It’s photo day.
#Habs practising at Bell Centre later this morning instead of Brossard because it’s team photo day. They play the Lightning tomorrow night at Bell Centre. #HabsIO
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) November 6, 2023
– Racism: Georges Laraque wants people to be accountable for their actions.
Former NHL player Georges Laraque, writing in Le Droit, says adults who failed to respond appropriately after allegations of racism on a AAA team in Gatineau, Que. must be fired.
Laraque, now 46, reflects on playing minor field hockey in the city of Sorel-Tracy: “The racism was so…– Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) November 6, 2023
– Not to be missed.
After hearing you sing last Friday, I have no choice but to come to your rescue on Friday (2pm) with a rap that’s even more corrosive than ever.
I’m pretty sure people will try – and rightly so – to stop me from being there.
But I’ll be there too. @GeorgesLaraque @stephgonzz
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) November 6, 2023
– The Golden Glove winners have been announced.
The Blue Jays have three winners. https://t.co/vz4c4qhrw4
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 6, 2023
– Really?
Quebecers star in a league that offers “the fights of field hockey without the game of field hockey “: https://t.co/kJE2MaraN0
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 6, 2023