Criticized by dissatisfied fans on social networks that the Canadian preferred him to Matvei Michkov, David Reinbacher has experienced a real roller coaster ride of emotions in the past few days. However, the 18-year-old defender chose to approach the situation properly.
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“I focused on positive messages. I will prove the opposite to the others. I will work with that goal in mind.”
To counteract all this hatred, Patricia Néron, a young supporter, had the idea of collecting all the words of encouragement and positive comments written about the Austrian on social networks. With the help of the Canadian’s communications department, she was able to give him the book she had captured them all in.
“It was a beautiful gift and it was comforting. I also thank the fans who did that and made me feel welcome,” said the defender.
Reinbacher may be of the generation that grew up with social media, but receiving hate speech and death threats can be unsettling for an 18-year-old boy. The organization made sure to give him good support and care. On Saturday, on the sidelines of the free agent market opening, Kent Hughes made an appeal to fans.
“We can understand when fans are angry with management and recruiters. we are adults But we are talking about a young man who had nothing to do with this election. He realized his dream by being fished out. We just told him to hold on and there were fans who weren’t happier with the team after Kaiden Guhle was picked. Today they are very happy.”
It’s time to work
With this support, the Austrian was able to come to Brossard with peace of mind, where the team’s development camp will take place until Tuesday.
“I received a warm welcome from the organisation, the owner and the manager. “They told me they were happy to have me in the organization and that the plan was to draft me,” the defense attorney said. I’m really happy to be here.”
For his part, Reinbacher is equally happy to be joining the Habs organization. As he walked the ice at the Sports Complex with the team’s other hopefuls, he realized he was getting very close to the big league.
“It’s something special. you see her [Cole] Caufield, [Nick] Suzuki and Carey [Price] on TV. Then suddenly you are here and you get messages from them. I am fully enjoying the moment. And this afternoon we’re going to the Bell Center. I can’t wait to see the rink and the dressing room.”
“I’m living the first step of my dream of playing in the NHL. “I know we still have a lot of work to do,” he continued. There are big goals within this organization. This franchise has been waiting for the Stanley Cup for a long time.”
Reinbacher should be outstanding defensively in all three zones and also be effective with the puck. Traits he needs to tweak a bit to be just as effective on a North American rink.
“Because the ice rink is smaller, everything goes faster. “You have to make your decisions faster,” said Reinbacher, who was paired with Lane Hutson. It’s just a matter of habit. Morning [lundi]I will prove that I deserve to be here.”
However, Reinbacher already has some experience on such a surface, having represented Austria at the last two World Junior Championships in Edmonton and Halifax.