Canadiens select defenceman David Reinbacher with fifth overall pick

By Sportsnet Staff

Posted June 28, 2023 9:49 pm.

The Montreal Canadiens selected right-shot defenceman David Reinbacher with the fifth overall pick in Wednesday’s NHL Draft.

After four centres were selected ahead of him, Reinbacher was the first defenceman to be chosen in the 2023 draft. He now shares the title of highest Austrian draft pick with Thomas Vanek, his childhood hero.

Reinbacher told Sportsnet’s Caroline Cameron that he intends to remain in school for one more year and continue his development in the Swiss professional league.

His 22 points in the Swiss league last season is the most from a draft-eligible defenceman in league history, and the most from a draft-eligible skater since Auston Matthews in 2015-16.

The No. 5 overall selection comes just one year after the Canadiens selected Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Montreal finished last place in the Atlantic Division in the 2022-23 campaign after struggling to a 31-45-6 overall record.

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