It would be opportunistic to write that Sam Harris, fifth round pick in 2023, is a great find for the Montreal Canadiens at a time when he sits at the top of the NCAA scoring column. We’re going to write it anyway.
We allow ourselves this madness, since to hear his head coach at the University of Denver, David Carle, one of the greatest hockey minds in the country, speak, several of the goals scored by Harris could be transposed to the professional level.
“His ability to play inside the faceoff spots is at a very high level,” noted Carle during a telephone interview with TVASports.ca. Perhaps at the highest level we’ve seen here, with his presence in front of the net and his ability to create space in dangerous spots.
“It’s a quality that is certainly transferable to the NHL, in my opinion.”
A coach who sings the praises of his player, nothing new. But contrast those comments with this response from Carle when asked two years ago if Brett Stapley, former Habs prospect, had a future in the NHL:
“Look, I get asked that question a lot. Sometimes I’m right. Sometimes I’m wrong. So I prefer not to get wet,” he politely procrastinated.
If Stapley was a skilled but frail player, Harris is a pest who can hit and lives in the kitchen. His 5’11 and a half height doesn’t do him justice.
“I’m a power forward,” said the main person on the phone. The three elements in which I take a lot of pride are: my checking, my play in front of the net and my shooting.
Tyler Schank/Clarkson Creative
Hatching? Really?
After 11 games, Harris has 10 goals, 4 short goals less than his tally in 42 games last season. In hockey jargon, a breakthrough for this 21-year-old forward in his second year in the college circuit.
The word “outbreak” (more precisely the term “surge” was used in English) does not really resonate with Carle, however. A breakthrough for CH supporters who watched Harris from afar, perhaps.
But what’s happening isn’t surprising to anyone who has followed him closely, it seems.
“An outbreak, I don’t really know,” Carle said. Last year, he played on our fourth line and didn’t have a power play. I think he scored 9 of his 14 goals last year in the second half of the season when one of our forwards got injured and we gave him a bigger role. We knew the scoring talent was there.”
Consider that Carle has known Harris since the latter’s time with the prestigious Shattuck-St. hockey program. Mary’s in Minnesota. The one that once opened its doors to Sidney Crosby.
Carle himself attended this famous school. He has antennas there.
“I will never forget what Shattuck coach Tom Ward told me when we recruited Sammy,” Carle said. He told me: “Sammy is different, he’s a different type of player. If you have someone like him, don’t draft him, but if not, you need a player like him on your team.” It’s a conversation that has remained etched in my memory.”
There are a ton of good hockey players capable of scoring goals. What makes Harris so different?
“His abrasive offensive style,” explained the head coach of the Denver Pioneers. It’s hard to find players who love to camp in the slot and who make it their personality. Sammy loves it.
“He’s a unique player.”
Tyler Schank/Clarkson Creative
Funny baby
Harris is a little cursed. He was asked if he remembered that USHL game in which he was ejected after headbutting a rival.
“Yes, I remember,” he breathed, not too proud of his move. When you play like that, there’s a fine line and, unfortunately, that night I crossed it.”
The Florida Panthers have proven that a pest is a winning ingredient in the playoffs. In recent history, the CH has been able to count on Maxim Lapierre, Andrew Shaw, Brendan Gallagher and Corey Perry to fill this role.
Harris’ models are the very annoying Gallagher and Perry. It is no coincidence that they play or have played for the Canadian.
“I have never cheered for a team as intensely as during the Canadian’s journey in 2021,” Harris said, as if to remind us that life sometimes does things well. I was so invested. A good friend of mine was a Maple Leafs fan and I can tell you I didn’t give up on him.”
Why this particular affection for CH? Harris, after all, grew up in California, in San Diego.
“All my family on my father’s side comes from Montreal,” Harris revealed. Montreal has always had a special character. My father’s parents both grew up there. I’ve only been there twice, but the Canadian has always had a special meaning in my family.
His father, Steve Harris, passed on his athletic genes to him. He was a reservist in the Canadian delegation sent to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games for the equestrian show jumping competition.
A baby unlike any other, Sam Harris also has Swedish origins, on his mother’s side. He speaks the local language fluently and likes to use it to play tricks.
“At the development camp, I see this young boy, [Alexander] Zetterberg. I go to meet him and simply start speaking to him in Swedish. He was in shock. I love doing this with the guys from Sweden. They never understand what’s going on,” laughed Harris, who still finds it very funny.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
A science exam
Even though he was ignored in his first year of eligibility, Harris had high hopes of being drafted in 2023 after collecting 56 points, including 30 goals, in as many games in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede.
“I had a good discussion with the Canadian earlier in the year. I must have spoken to 15 or 20 teams and had a few interviews. Some more difficult than others, but the discussion with Montreal was particularly pleasant.”
It was the circumstances in which his selection occurred that were more unusual.
“During the draft, I had a science test. The timing was perfect. The moment I left the class, I received a call from my family and my advisors who told me that I had just been chosen by the Canadian.
Besides, don’t associate Harris with the Neanderthal simply because he likes physical play. The young man also performs well at school.
C. Morgan Engel/Clarkson Creative
«Mon GPA [barème suprême de mesure de performance académique aux États-Unis, score allant 1,0 à 4,0] flirting around 3.6 or 3.7 at the moment,” boasted the 21-year-old student.
The Sam Harrises are clearly brilliant. If you type this name into your search engine, you will not come across the CH hopeful, but rather his namesake, a famous American writer specializing in neuroscience who also comes from California. Everything is in everything.
“A few of my good friends in San Diego brought it to my attention. I’ve read his works, it’s really interesting.”
Here is someone who could get along well with ex-Harvard student Sean Farrell within the Laval Rocket.
Sharp criticism
According to some stakeholders, Harris’ skating poses a significant obstacle in his road to the National League.
This facet of his game has been the subject of harsh criticism. Acerbic isn’t even an exaggerated term.
“One of the slowest skaters I have ever seen,” described the very sharp Simon Boisvert, former QMJHL recruiter.
Mitch Brown of Elite Prospects wrote that Harris had two speeds… “slow and even slower.”
Coach David Carle was much more nuanced when his player’s skating was presented to him as a supposed weak point.
“I think everyone can be a better skater, but I wouldn’t call his skating a weakness,” he replied. He is good on the ends of his blades (edges) and he has good straight line speed. The NHL is another level, but in the NCAA, his skating is not a problem.
