HabsWorld.net --
On Sunday, the Montreal Canadiens announced that 2005 second round draft pick Guillaume Latendresse was returned to Drummondville of the QMJHL. Latendresse turned a lot of heads during training camp, and made the decision a tough one for Canadiens management. In four pre-season games, Latendresse scored 3 goals, while adding 2 assists. He also showed a knack for physical play, as he was not afraid to play the body. His play during training camp made him an instant fan favorite.
Latendresse’s strong showing at camp proved that Canadiens’ management made a good choice by moving up in the second round to draft the Quebec native. Head scout Trevor Timmins admitted at one point that Guillaume was in the top ten on the team’s draft board, so they were very excited that they were able to draft him at pick 45. The Canadiens traded their 2nd and 3rd round picks in the 2005 draft to the New York Rangers in order to draft Latendresse.
Last season in Drummondville, the 6-foot-2 Latendresse scored 26 goals and 49 assists in 65 games. Guillaume will play on the top line in Drummondville and will look to stay healthy and improve his game. He is also a candidate for making Canada’s U-20 team for this winter’s WJC.