In sports, as in life, nobody gets a second chance to make a first impression.
Austrian forward Vinzenz Rohrer was assigned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket on April 15 after completing his Swiss A League season with the Zurich Lions. And although Rohrer played only one game for the Rocket — the regular-season finale at Toronto — head coach Pascal Vincent felt comfortable dressing him for the start of the playoffs.
“It’s more than one game,” Vincent said. “It’s training camp this year. Our guys are watching all his games. The reports that we get … he comes here with intensity. He’s anxious, excited to be here. He’s a physical guy who moves his feet. He was really good on the penalty kill. He’s blocking some shots. He’s very dynamic and fits what we’re looking for. He’s got the right mindset.
“He’s a good player and we feel very comfortable having him in the lineup. Playoffs or not, we’re here to develop. We need to put those guys in the lineup to see what they have. And he responded well.”
Rohrer, selected by the Canadiens in the third round (75th overall) in 2022, scored a goal and had an assist against Toronto on April 19. It was a meaningless game for Laval, the Rocket having long since clinched first place in the North Division, but both of Rohrer’s points came with Laval playing short-handed.
When Laval’s best-of-five playoff series against Toronto started Wednesday, the 5-foot-10, 161-pound right winger was on the Rocket’s third line with captain Lucas Condotta and Jared Davidson. Rohrer didn’t produce a point in the 3-1 victory, but had two shots on net.
Game 2 of the series goes Friday at Place Bell (7 p.m., RDS) before the series shifts to Toronto for games Sunday at 4 p.m. and, if necessary, Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, but I appreciate it, obviously,” Rohrer said. “I guess it’s always the coach’s decision. I appreciate it and will try to do everything so that it stays that way.”
Rohrer isn’t new to North American hockey. He spent two seasons playing junior for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, displaying some offensive abilities. In 118 regular-season games, he had 44 goals and 97 points.
While Rohrer admitted the Canadiens probably would have preferred for him to remain here upon being drafted, he believed his development would progress further by returning to Europe.
While the Lions won two Swiss A league titles, Rohrer was cast in a different role, playing on the team’s third line while killing penalties. He wasn’t relied upon for offence and his statistics dipped. After scoring 15 goals and adding 10 assists in 52 games last season, Rohrer had only four goals and 12 points in 41 games in 2025-26. Zurich was eliminated in the semifinals.
Rohrer, who went to training camp with the Canadiens in September, said it has been an adjustment getting reacquainted with the North American style of play — especially the physicality. It has helped him to have a fellow Austrian, defenceman David Reinbacher, as a teammate.
“Everything happens so fast,” Rohrer, 21, said. “It’s a pretty tight game. There’s not a lot happening 5-on-5. I’ve tried to adjust as fast as I can.”
Other than playing fewer games in Europe, providing Rohrer with more practice and development time, he was coached by Marc Crawford, who won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 — one of seven teams he has guided over a career spanning 1,169 games.
“Marc Crawford as a head coach was really important, if I look back,” Rohrer said. “I came in and he gave me a lot of trust. I came in as a junior, and Zurich is a really good team. But he gave me a shot. He tried to put me into big situations at the end of a game. It was tough love in a sense.”
And now Rohrer is attempting to take the next step. The AHL is filled with undersized players who came up short in their journey because of size or talent. Whether Rohrer can overcome that obstacle will determine his path. He knows he must be competitive and play with grit.
“He’s a good player, and he played in a professional league against men,” Vincent said. “He has to be very dynamic. I don’t like to compare, but Paul Byron was really dynamic. He was a good PK guy who created chances for himself. He was going to the hard areas and is pretty much the same size.
“Rohrer can be that kind of a speedy, dynamic (player), smart defensively, involved and can play against top lines. I think there’s a chair for those players.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com