There’s nothing like hearing your name called at the NHL Draft, but the Montreal Canadiens’ No. 5 overall pick, David Reinbacher, had to wait a little longer for his moment after Canadiens goalie Carey Price appeared to forget his name.
Price, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, was selected to announce the Canadiens’ first-round pick Wednesday at the 2023 draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The moment that followed was unforgettable — not in a good way.
“The Canadiens de Montreal is proud to select David…” Price said as his eyes darted back and forth. He looked to the Canadiens executives behind him for an assist before general manager Kent Hughes stepped to the microphone.
“We planned it that way,” Hughes quipped, before announcing Reinbacher’s full name.
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Reinbacher, a defenseman from Switzerland’s EHC Kloten, didn’t appear fazed by the flub. The ESPN broadcast showed Reinbacher immediately hug his family members before coming on stage to shake hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and put on his new Canadiens jersey.
“I was a little bit confused, but when (Kent Hughes) said ‘Reinbacher,’ it was incredible,” Reinbacher recalled afterwards. “I fell into the arms of my dad and then I went on the stage and Carey came to me and was like, ‘I’m so sorry.’ I was like, ‘No problem, I guess.’ You got to look up to such a great guy. It was stunning to shake his hand. Very grateful for that.”
Price even issued a public apology. “Boy that was embarrassing. Sorry David….. Reinbacher,” Price wrote in his first tweet since December 2022.
Maybe rookie hazing got started early this year?
Generational talent Connor Bedard was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. The top 5 picks were rounded out by Leo Carlsson (No. 2, Anaheim Ducks), Adam Fantilli (No. 3, Columbus Blue Jackets), Will Smith (No. 4, San Jose Sharks), followed by Reinbacher.
[6:08 PM] Brehm, Mike
in 2005.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canadiens’ Carey Price forgets name of NHL draft pick during selection
