Toronto Maple Leafs forward Sammy Blais is excited to be joining the team and being around some familiar faces, including head coach Craig Berube.
He was claimed off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, alongside goalie Cayden Primeau who was claimed from the Carolina Hurricanes. Blais was registered on the Leafs’ opening night roster, though he was skating as the 13th forward during his first practice with the team.
Blais told reporters after practice on Tuesday that he is eager for the opportunity to prove himself as an NHL player.
“ I was happy,” he said. “I think it’s a good opportunity for me to be here, and knowing some people here too for sure helps. I thought I had a good camp in Montreal, and just really happy to be here and have that opportunity in front of me.”
He and Berube have known each other since the two were members of the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, and the two have usually not gone too many seasons apart from each other. Beyond Berube, Blais said he also already knew defenceman Simon Benoit and assistant coach Mike Van Ryn.
The head coach said that he knows what to expect out of the player and vice versa, which is no doubt something that makes the transition to Toronto easier on Blais.
“We always had a good relationship and he kind of knows the way I play, and he kinda likes that,” he said. “For me, I know what he expects from me, so I think it makes it a little easier to know someone. I’m just excited to show that I can still play in this league.”
Blais didn’t play in the NHL last year as he spent the entire campaign with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. He made the most of his time there by scoring 40 points (14 goals and 26 assists) in 51 games played while adding 19 points (six goals and 13 assists) in 23 playoff games to help guide his team to the Calder Cup.
It has also been a grind for him to move past a knee injury he suffered back in 2021 when he was with the New York Rangers. But Blais feels that his time in the AHL made him confident as he was able to bring out some of the qualities that make him effective: heavy on the forecheck and a presence on offence.
“I’m really motivated,” he said. “I thought last year I proved that I was a good player still, and that I still have some gas left in the tank. and I’m just gonna try to prove that here.”
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