David Reinbacher

David Reinbacher
Born (2004-10-25) 25 October 2004 (age 21)
Hohenems, Austria
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams
Montreal Canadiens
Laval Rocket (AHL)
EHC Kloten
National team  Austria
NHL draft 5th overall, 2023
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2022–present

David Reinbacher (born 25 October 2004) is an Austrian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, fifth overall, by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL entry draft, making him the highest-drafted Austrian player in NHL history along with Thomas Vanek in 2003.

Playing career

Switzerland

As a youth, Reinbacher played in Switzerland with EHC Rheintal and EHC Bülach, before moving to EHC Kloten at the U15 level. Initially appearing within the team's junior ranks, he made his professional debut with the club in the Swiss League (SL), the second tier of the Swiss league system, midway through the 2021–22 season. Reinbacher managed one goal and 10 assists in 27 regular season appearances. He then played in 14 postseason games, which culminated in Kloten securing promotion to the National League (NL), Switzerland's top league.

In the 2022–23 season, Reinbacher established himself a regular on Kloten's blueline, attracting attention for doing so as an 18-year-old player, and seeing his average ice time rise from six minutes per game to over 20. He recorded three goals and 19 assists in 46 games during the regular season, and two further points in three postseason games. He would go on to win the league's award for the best young player of the year.

Reinbacher initially had a low profile among evaluators prior to the 2023 NHL entry draft, with some European evaluators identifying him as a potential second-round selection. By November 2022, he was receiving attention from major North American publications, with The Hockey News naming him to their "All-Sleeper Squad" of players who should be considered for the first round. At the time of the draft in June, Reinbacher was mooted as a top ten selection by many, and generally considered likely to be the first defenceman taken during proceedings. Ultimately, he was selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens, with team general manager Kent Hughes describing him as "a diamond in the rough with a lot of potential." This made Reinbacher the highest-drafted Austrian skater in NHL history, alongside Thomas Vanek, who was also drafted fifth overall 20 years earlier. The Canadiens' decision was controversial due to their passing over Matvei Michkov, considered by many to be the most talented player still available at the time, who was subsequently taken by the Philadelphia Flyers. Criticism on social media attracted sports media coverage, notably due to reported abusive messages directed at Reinbacher himself.

On 5 July 2023, the Canadiens signed Reinbacher to a three-year, entry-level contract. After what was generally considered a positive appearance at the Canadiens' training camp in the autumn of 2023, he was sent back to EHC Kloten for the 2023–24 NL season. In the midst of a difficult campaign for the team overall, Reinbacher produced one goal and ten assists in 35 appearances, having missed sporadic time due to injury.

North America

Following the end of the NL schedule, Reinbacher was assigned to the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, on 18 March 2024. He made his AHL debut thereafter on 22 March in a 3–2 overtime win versus the Belleville Senators, recording a goal. In eleven games with Laval, he registered two goals and three assists along with a plus–minus differential of +6.

While competing with the Canadiens in exhibition play against the Toronto Maple Leafs on 28 September 2024, Reinbacher exited the game after a hit by Leafs defenceman Marshall Rifai. Days later, it was announced that he had undergone knee surgery, and would miss five-to-six months of the 2024–25 season. Reinbacher ultimately made his season debut with the Rocket on 19 February 2025 versus the Manitoba Moose, and appeared in 23 total games during the 2024–25 AHL season, including participating in his team's deep run to the Eastern Conference Final of the Calder Cup playoffs.

Prior to the beginning of the 2025–26 season, Reinbacher was sidelined yet again after suffering a broken metacarpal in an exhibition game against the Leafs on 25 September 2025. On 31 October, he made his first AHL appearance in a game against the Rochester Americans. Through 57 games played with the Rocket, Reinbacher recorded five goals and 19 assists. After a late season injury to Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson, he was recalled by the team and made his NHL debut on 12 April 2026 against the New York Islanders, recording his first NHL point, an assist, in a 4–1 victory. After appearing in the final two games of the regular season, Reinbacher remained on Montreal's roster through the first four games of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, but did not see game action. He was then returned to Laval for the start of the 2026 Calder Cup playoffs.

Reinbacher was generally credited with a strong performance in the Canadiens' 2026 preseason competition, but on 27 September he was sent down to commence the 2026–27 season with the Laval Rocket. Following injuries to the Canadiens' defence corps, he was recalled to the roster, and made his season debut on 17 October against the Buffalo Sabres.

Personal life

Reinbacher's father, Harald, is a former professional hockey player for EHC Lustenau of the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL). He has one sibling, a brother named Tobias, who also plays professionally for the Pioneers Vorarlberg of the ICE Hockey League.

International play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Austria
Deutschland Cup
Silver medal – second place2022 Germany

Internationally, Reinbacher first represented the Austrian under-18 national team at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championship. Shortly thereafter, he was named to the Austrian junior national team for the annual World Junior Championships. In November 2022, Reinbacher made his debut with the Austrian senior national team at that year's Deutschland Cup, capturing a silver medal.

The following year, he averaged over 26 minutes of ice time per game at the 2023 World Junior Championships, and had two assists in his team's final tournament game, which saw them relegated following two consecutive losses to Latvia. At the ensuing IIHF World Championship, he would suffer an MCL injury in Austria's second game against Sweden and subsequently miss three games. Despite this, Reinbacher returned to play 23 minutes in the final group stage game against Hungary and help his country avoid relegation.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2020–21 Kloten U20 U20-Elit 2513416 —————
2021–22 Kloten U20 U20-Elit 239132212 30112
2021–22 EHC Kloten SL 27110114 1400010
2022–23 EHC Kloten NL 463192226 31122
2023–24 EHC Kloten NL 351101118 —————
2023–24 Laval Rocket AHL 112354 —————
2024–25 Laval Rocket AHL 1023510 1324614
2025–26 Laval Rocket AHL 575192456 40000
2025–26 Montreal Canadiens NHL 20110 —————
NL totals 814293344 31122
NHL totals 20110 —————

International

Year Team Event Result GPGAPtsPIM
2022 Austria U18 D1B 5th 50110
2022 Austria WJC 10th 40224
2022 Austria DC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 30110
2023 Austria WJC 10th 50220
2023 Austria WC 14th 40112
Junior totals 140554
Senior totals 70222

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
Swiss League
Swiss League championship 2022
National League
Young Player of the Year 2023

References

  1. 1 2 Galanopoulos, Chris; Stephens, Rick (29 June 2023). "Kent Hughes Grabs a Diamond in the Rough for the Canadiens". The Hockey News. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Maher, Sarah Jean (28 June 2023). "Canadiens make David Reinbacher highest-drafted Austrian defenceman ever". The Athletic. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. ↑ Maciag, Joe (16 November 2022). "2023 NHL Draft Player Profile: David Reinbacher". RecruitScouting. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 Lefrançois, Guillaume (4 August 2023). "Un honneur pour Reinbacher" [An honour for Reinbacher]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Novotny, Marek (6 February 2023). "Central European Stock Watch: David Reinbacher surging up NHL Draft rankings". EPRinkside.com. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Ferrari, Tony (20 November 2022). "NHL 2023 Draft Team of the Month: All-Sleeper Squad". The Hockey News. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  7. ↑ Kimelman, Adam; Morreale, Mike G. (27 June 2023). "Final Mock 2023 NHL Draft: Intrigue after 1st 4 picks". NHL.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  8. ↑ Bukala, Jason (26 June 2023). "Jason Bukala's 2023 NHL Mock Draft: What happens after Bedard goes first?". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Murphy, Bryan (28 June 2023). "NHL Mock Draft 2023: Connor Bedard goes to Blackhawks; Matvei Michkov falls out of top 5 in final projections". The Sporting News. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Weekes, Kevin (27 June 2023). "2023 NHL mock draft: Projections for every first-round pick". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  11. 1 2 Ellis, Steven (28 June 2023). "The Montreal Canadiens are betting big on David Reinbacher". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  12. ↑ Engels, Eric (29 June 2023). "Canadiens' Hughes confident Reinbacher will make his name unforgettable in Montreal". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  13. ↑ Ashbourne, Nick (30 June 2023). "Canadiens fans' reaction to controversial draft pick may affect development plans". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  14. ↑ Kelly, Brendan (29 June 2023). "Habs fans not thrilled that the CH picked Reinbacher". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Three-year, entry-level contract for David Reinbacher". Montreal Canadiens. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023 – via NHL.com.
  16. ↑ "Canadiens sign David Reinbacher to three-year, entry-level deal". Sportsnet.ca. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  17. ↑ "David Reinbacher kehrt zum EHC Kloten zurück" [David Reinbacher returns to EHC Kloten] (in Swiss High German). EHC Kloten. 1 October 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Engels, Eric (1 October 2023). "Reinbacher returns to Swiss league, leaves Canadiens impressed with cerebral play". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  19. ↑ Bexell, Patrik (18 March 2024). "Grading David Reinbacher's 2023-24 season". SB Nation. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  20. ↑ @CanadiensMTL (18 March 2024). "Les Canadiens ont prêté le défenseur David Reinbacher au Rocket de Laval.

    The Canadiens have assigned defenseman David Reinbacher to the Laval Rocket.

    #GoHabsGo"
    (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  21. ↑ Galanopoulos, Chris (23 March 2024). "David Reinbacher Shakes off Nerves to Impress Laval Teammates". The Hockey News. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  22. ↑ Basu, Arpon (24 April 2024). "David Reinbacher's time in Laval will benefit his transition to Montreal in many ways". The Athletic. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  23. ↑ "David Reinbacher out five to six months". Montreal Canadiens. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2025 – via NHL.com.
  24. ↑ Book, Jared (19 February 2025). "David Reinbacher sent down, will make his season debut Wednesday in Laval". SB Nation. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  25. ↑ Engels, Eric (26 September 2025). "Canadiens' David Reinbacher out four weeks with broken hand". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  26. ↑ "Medical update on David Reinbacher". Montreal Canadiens. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025 – via NHL.com.
  27. ↑ Zurkowsky, Herb (29 November 2025). "Canadiens prospect David Reinbacher finds footing after injury skid". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "David Reinbacher has assist in Canadiens debut". Sportsnet.ca. 12 April 2026. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "David Reinbacher recalled from Laval Rocket". Montreal Canadiens. 12 April 2026. Retrieved 13 April 2026 – via NHL.com.
  30. ↑ Leijon, Erik (12 April 2026). "Liveblog: Nick Suzuki gets 100th, 101st points, Canadiens lead Islanders 3-0". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  31. ↑ DeRosa, Michael (27 April 2026). "Canadiens Make Significant Roster Move With Top Prospect". The Hockey News. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  32. ↑ Bélanger-Champagne, Alexis (27 September 2026). "Montreal Canadiens finalize roster, keep Florian Xhekaj and Engström, send Reinbacher, Fowler to Rocket". CityNews Montreal. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  33. ↑ Hains, Karine (27 September 2026). "Did Reinbacher Do Enough? Apparently Not". The Hockey News. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  34. ↑ "Canadiens' Reinbacher, Kapanen to make season debuts against Sabres". Sportsnet.ca. 17 October 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
  35. ↑ Basu, Arpon (29 September 2023). "David Reinbacher's NHL dream being realized through the eyes of his father Harald". The Athletic. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  36. ↑ "Finale Bausteine fixiert" [Final building blocks fixed] (in Austrian German). Pioneers Vorarlberg. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  37. ↑ "IIHF - Austria - 2022 IIHF ICE HOCKEY U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, Division I, Group B" (PDF). International Ice Hockey Federation. 1 May 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  38. ↑ Kimelman, Adam (8 August 2022). "2022 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  39. ↑ "Roster für Deutschland-Cup steht" [Roster for Germany Cup is ready] (in Austrian German). Österreichischer Eishockeyverband. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  40. ↑ "AUSTRIA FINISHES SECOND AT THE "DEUTSCHLAND CUP" | ITALY CELEBRATES TOURNAMENT VICTORY". ICE Hockey League. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  41. ↑ Potvin, Blain (24 December 2022). "5 Draft-Eligible Prospects for Canadiens Fans at the 2023 WJC". TheHockeyWriters.com. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  42. ↑ Bell, Josh (7 January 2023). "World Juniors 2023: Jiri Kulich, Ryan Ufko among prospect risers; Brad Lambert's stock falls". The Sporting News. Retrieved 30 June 2023.