Following an impressive junior career, Nathan Légaré is now finding his stride with the Rocket.
Nathan Légaré has learned that excelling in junior hockey doesn’t guarantee success at the professional level, which partly explains why, at 23, he’s already with his second organization, having been traded from Pittsburgh to the Canadiens last August.
“I had a really good summer and was looking forward to my third year (in the Pittsburgh organization),” Légaré told the Montreal Gazette. “My mindset was right. The (trade) just happened. It’s not like they traded me for future considerations. I was happy to be in Montreal. I know they wanted me. A hockey career is like a roller-coaster sometimes.”
A right-winger with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, Légaré was part of a three-team trade last summer. The Canadiens acquired him, along with defenseman Jeff Petry, goalie Casey DeSmith, and Pittsburgh’s second-round 2025 draft choice, for Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick. Pittsburgh had selected the 6-foot, 205-pound Légaré in the third round (74th overall) in 2019, impressed by his offensive production in junior hockey, where he captained his team in his final two seasons.
Despite his success in junior hockey, Légaré never played a game for Pittsburgh’s NHL team, spending time with its AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He faced challenges, being frequently benched in his rookie season and producing modest numbers. His trade to Montreal, however, was a dream come true for the Montreal native, who grew up idolizing the Canadiens.
Since joining the Rocket, Légaré has shown promise, with six goals and nine points in 30 games. He missed all of January with a lower-body injury but made a strong return, scoring twice in a recent game. Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle praises Légaré’s work ethic and versatility, highlighting his ability to contribute in various roles, including penalty killing and physical play.
As the Rocket aims for a playoff spot, Légaré continues to adapt and improve, understanding the need to adjust his game for success at the professional level.
