By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Rebels’ Hagel feels ready for Canadiens audition

Aug 28, 2018 | 8:10 AM

Brandon Hagel admits he’s carrying a chip on his shoulder. And he’s hoping it’ll help him land a job in his second go-round with an NHL club.

The 20-year-old Morinville, Alberta native and veteran Red Deer Rebels forward was selected by the Buffalo Sabres at the 2015 NHL Draft. He went unsigned by the Sabres, however, and is now looking to impress the Montreal Canadiens who’ve invited him to their rookie camp.

“It makes me drive a little harder and try to get better every single day,” Hagel said about being let go by Buffalo. “Obviously it sucks but it’s nothing I can change. I just have to keep looking forward.

“I think I did what I had to do. I leave for camp right away and we’ll see what happens and if I’m back, I’m back.”

Hagel skated at Canadiens development camp in June and feels it’s been a case of so far, so good with Montreal.

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“It’s been really positive. It’s my job now to prove [Buffalo] wrong and I think I put enough work in during summer. Now I need to prove myself.”

Hagel’s audition for the Habs means it’s not a given that he’ll return for a fourth season with the Rebels. With a few scenarios in play, he’s doing his best to keep things simple.

“I just take it a day at a time. Once I’m in [Canadiens] camp I’m going to worry about what I have to do there, play the way I need to, and if I’m back here I’m going to play the way they need me to.”

Should he end up with the Rebels, Hagel feels they are capable of scoring more goals than some are predicting.

“Obviously, we knew we were going to be young. But with what [the team] did in the summer I wouldn’t even say we’re young. We’ve got a lot of talented players coming back.”

Hagel, who turned 20 on  Monday, was playing in the AJHL with the Whitecourt Wolverines when the Rebels picked him up early in the 2015-16 season. He’s collected 177 points in 193 regular season games with Red Deer as well as 24 points in 29 playoff contests.

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Rebels Training Camp continues Tuesday at the Enmax Centrium and wraps up with the Black and White Game Wednesday at 7 p.m.