MONTREAL – Kirby Dach knew the Chicago Blackhawks were going into rebuild mode.
What he didn’t know was that he wasn’t part of the team project.
The Blackhawks shared Dach with the Montreal Canadiens for a pair of picks Thursday. The 21-year-old center said he had learned of the news about five minutes before it was announced on the track for the NHL entry draft.
“I was actually going to the rink to go skating,” Dach told reporters in a video call Friday. “So it’s a bit shocking, but I’m excited to be in Montreal. It’s a great city. I love playing there. I can’t wait for the fans by my side to cheer us on.”
Selected third overall by Chicago in the 2019 draft, Dach’s expectations were high when he embarked on his NHL career. However, he was hampered by injuries, including a broken wrist that limited the striker to just 18 games in the 2020-21 campaign.
Last season, Dach scored nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games.
The Fort Saskatchewan native, Alta., Feels he has more to show with the Canadians.
“I feel like I’m pretty offensive and smart with the record and I can make plays. But I’m also a reliable two-way center that’s big and strong in the middle of the ice, that skates well and can make plays, ”he said.“ And I feel like Montreal is a place where I can flourish with that. ”
The last few seasons have been full of disappointments for the Blackhawks. Now, Chicago seems determined to dismantle its list in favor of a complete rebuild.
The club also handed out star striker Alex DeBrincat on Thursday, sending him to the Ottawa Senators for three elections, including the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Management has been ahead with the players on their plans, Dach said.
“We knew we were going to rebuild there and things like that. But they were very open and honest with us about these things. And they obviously felt they needed to go in a different direction than (DeBrincat) and me,” he said.
“It’s a business. There’s nothing else. You have to move on and I have a great opportunity ahead of me in Montreal. I’m very excited to get things started and start the next chapter of my career.”
While Dach described his time in Chicago as “full of ups and downs,” he said his first three seasons in the NHL have also provided many lessons.
“I was a young guy who went into an older locker room and I was able to learn a lot about the professional lifestyle and what it really takes to play in that league and be a good player at a steady level every night.” he said. “And I definitely carry those qualities with me and I try to improve every day.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 8, 2022.