LAVAL, Que. – Montreal Canadiens defenceman Adam Engström and Laval Rocket defenceman David Reinbacher share many similarities

Both trained in Europe on larger ice surfaces, playing a style that gives a defenceman more time and space to make decisions, and they both played two full seasons in their country’s top professional league before making the jump to North America.

Most importantly, they both had a lot to learn about how hockey is played over here and how their skills can translate to this style.

At the end of his season in the Swiss NL in 2024, Reinbacher came over to Laval to play the final 11 games of the AHL season. The following fall, Engström made that same jump.

The two do have some differences. Engström was drafted in the 2022 third round, and Reinbacher was taken with the No. 5 pick in 2023. Engström, 22, is a year older and has more than double the AHL experience, appearing in 99 games since the 2024-25 season began, while Reinbacher has played 46.

Those reasons, in the eyes of Laval Rocket coach Pascal Vincent, explain why Engström is currently playing well for the Canadiens while Reinbacher remains in Laval.

“The physical maturity of Adam Engström, he’s older. Just compare them at the same age, and then we’re going to have a real conversation, but right now, Adam is older,” Vincent said Thursday after Rocket practice. “And he wasn’t injured, so he was able to train. Reino spent a year and a half or so just trying to get back from an injury. When you do that, you’re not building on top, you’re just trying to level up.

“And Reino is a tall person, so he needs to fill in that body, and it takes time. And it’s fine. It’s not a problem. There’s no rush. But I can tell you, the mindset and the potential is outstanding.”

Though Reinbacher’s progress two and a half years post-draft might raise concerns, Engström’s NHL ascension offers a more optimistic blueprint. Engström’s breakthrough was fueled by a volume of reps — in-game action and healthy practices — in Laval that Reinbacher hasn’t yet matched.

“To me, there was a real good indication that he was moving to the next step last year in the playoffs. I think he was just dominant,” Vincent said of Engström. “And then I knew he would have a good summer, he’s a real good athlete, he takes real good care of himself, very powerful lower body, smart kid, fun to be around. It was just a matter of time.”

🚨ADAM ENGSTRÖM!! PARDON 😱

CLE 0 – 6 LAV pic.twitter.com/TtdDs6mvSc

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) March 22, 2025

When Engström first arrived in Laval, he needed to adapt his game to North America. Enter Rocket assistant coach Daniel Jacob.

Engström had to learn how to box out in front of the net, kill plays effectively by using the ice’s limited space to his advantage, and use his stick, feet and smarts to make an impact defensively.