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The IIHF World Championships are less than a month away and Hockey Canada is already rounding up their final roster for the big event. However, goaltender Sam Montembeault has reportedly opted out and will not accompany his national team to Czechia.
The Montreal Canadiens star has informed his decision to sit out the 2024 IIHF World Championships, per The Athletic’s Arpon Basu.
As the Habs failed to clinch a playoff berth this season, the general idea was that Montembeault would play for his national team at the World Championships, quite like last year. But it seems Canada will have to do without the 27-year-old this time.
Last year, Sam Montembeault turned up big for the Canadian national team and achieved an impressive 6-1 record with a .939 save percentage and a 1.42 GAA in his first World Championship campaign for Hockey Canada.
He came away with his first gold for the senior team and was among the team's highlight players in Tampere, Finland, where they played Germany in the finals.
Another remarkable performance this year could have heightened his chances of a solid shot with the national team in future tournaments, including the 2026 Olympics.
Sam Montembeault gets vote of confidence from GM Kent Huges
The regular season has proved to be quite underwhelming for the Montreal Canadiens. Nevertheless, Sam Montembeault impressed Habs general manager Kent Huges.
While speaking on the possibilities of having Montembeault take the #1 goalie role for the next season, Hughes was pretty open to the idea.
"Sam (Montembeault) demonstrated this year that he is capable of being our number one," said Kent Hughes.
Cayden Primeau is about to be Montembeault’s biggest competitor for the starter job after Jake Allen’s move to the New Jersey Devils. Hughes also expects to see healthy competition between Primeau and Monrembeault for the #1 role in the coming days.
This season, the Quebecers went 16-15-9 in 41 games, with a 3.14 GAA and .903 save percentage for the Habs. If he maintains his workrate and consistency, Sam Montembeault can cement his place as the Montreal Canadiens' first-choice goaltender.
