Montreal Canadiens Development Camp: Day 1

Fans of the Montreal Canadiens know no off-season. It was a Sunday morning, July 5th, and I found myself at the Brossard training facility where the Habs practice during the season.

This week, it is the home of draftees, prospects, and invited players for the annual Habs Development Camp, a 5-day run of on- and off-ice practice sessions, scrimmages, and culminating in a three-period, intra-squad game.

There are 43 players who will take part in the camp activities, some familiar faces, many new arrivals. It is here that fans, trainers, and media will get their first look at newcomers to the Habs fold.

This is not the first time I have attended. I first came to this event right after a young…