And it has been a long time since the 22-year-old defenceman, selected in the first-round (26th overall), by the Canadiens in 2015, has been able to state he’s healthy.
When Noah Juulsen says he’s feeling good — invariably the first words that come out of his mouth with everyone he greets — he means it.
And it has been a long time since the 22-year-old defenceman, selected in the first-round (26th overall), by the Canadiens in 2015, has been able to state he’s healthy.
“The questions have been coming for a long time, but I think they’re starting to stop. I’m happy with that,” Juulsen said Monday, after the Laval Rocket practiced for roughly 60 minutes at Place Bell — and after he made it back in time to be included in the team photo, earlier that morning.
“It’s huge for sure. It’s been a long time coming for me to be back,” added the native of Surrey, B.C. “I’m just happy to be back with the guys, playing again. I know people thought I wouldn’t be. Obviously I’m here and doing well. I’m ready to go and am excited.”
Not half as excited as Rocket coach Joël Bouchard, realizing he has another two-way, steady defenceman at his disposal.
“He has to play,” Bouchard stated. “Noah can take the workload. He’ll make mistakes, but needs to get his feet wet. We like him. He’s a prospect and he’s going to play.
“He’s one of those guys that, as a coaching staff, you rely on to be a good partner and make good puck decisions. He makes very few mistakes. He’s not flashy, but he’s a hard, solid player.”
The 6-foot-2, 193-pound Juulsen was assigned to the American Hockey League’s Rocket on Oct. 11, finally making his Laval season debut last week, when the team embarked on a three-game road trip, starting in Belleville, Ont. While he was held without a point, the points will come soon enough. It was more important for Juulsen to regain his confidence, timing and simply feel comfortable in game scenarios.
“For sure, the timing was a little off,” he admitted. “I just wanted to keep it simple, cut my ice in half and make the simple play right away and not put myself in trouble. I think I did that well … and will keep doing that until I feel comfortable.
“Things felt better as the second game went along,” he added. “It’s been a while since I’ve played. I’ll keep building off that.”
Juulsen made his Canadiens debut during the 2017-18 season, following a 31-game stint with Laval, and didn’t look intimidated or out of place, mostly teamed with veteran Karl Alzner, now a Rocket teammate. Recalled in February, Juulsen played 23 games, scoring a goal and two assists.
With Shea Weber sidelined to start last season, Juulsen stuck with Montreal out of training camp, only to suffer a facial fracture after taking two pucks to the face in a November game against Washington. He returned three weeks later, only to play four games before missing the remainder of the season.
Then, when he reported to camp last September, Juulsen started complaining of headaches and wasn’t allowed on the ice. He went for a second medical opinion, where it was discovered he was suffering from a nerve-related visual issue caused by the two pucks he took to the face.
Now that he’s finally healthy again, the former Everett junior wants to show management why they thought so highly of his potential. Juulsen’s a good skater and is considered a rugged, physical player capable of winning battles in the corners of in front of his net. He can kill penalties — one of the Canadiens’ problems this season — and showed some offensive flashes while in junior.
In 44 career NHL games, Juulsen has two goals and eight points.
He’s reluctant to speculate on what might have been had the freak injury not occurred, but clearly is content to be back in the room with his teammates, put in a position to contribute.
“I just want to play and be back in the dressing room with the guys,” he said. “Get my game under my feet and go from there. I hope to be back where I was at the beginning of last season.
“It’s special being back with the team, on the ice and in a game … an actual game. Not just skating and practicing. Just feeling that atmosphere I haven’t felt in so long.”
The Rocket concluded its first 10-game segment with a 4-6 record, one of those defeats coming in overtime. The next 10 games, Bouchard said, will provide a better indicator where the team’s at.
“As a coach, I expected some ups and downs, figuring each other out,” he said. “I have to give them time to realize where they’re at. Reality sets in a little bit.
“We can hold our ground against anybody.”
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