This summer, the Montreal Canadiens made headlines with a series of high-profile moves, reshaping their roster and igniting fresh hope among fans.

Yet, behind the buzz surrounding names like Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc, a quieter, lesser-known acquisition has quietly emerged—one that could hold surprising significance for the team’s future.

With the 177th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Kent Hughes and his staff selected Carlos Handel, a young German defenseman whose journey to Montreal is as intriguing as it is unexpected.

While much of the attention has focused on established prospects and blockbuster trades, Handel’s arrival has flown largely under the radar.

But as he steps into the spotlight for the first time, sharing candid thoughts about his experience at the Canadiens’ development camp, a new narrative begins to unfold—one filled with promise, motivation, and the possibility of something special.

What is it about Handel that has quietly captivated those who follow the team closely? How might his unique background and skill set shape his future in Montreal, and could he be destined for a breakout moment on the international stage?

Discover the untold story behind this intriguing prospect—and why you won’t want to miss what comes next.

Photo of Carlos Handel

Photo credit: NHL

We’ve talked a lot about the many acquisitions made by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens during the 2025 offseason.

Of course, we’ve extensively covered Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc, as well as Alexander Zharovsky, Hayden Paupanekis, Bryce Pickford, and several others – but there’s one interesting acquisition that has flown under the radar.

With the 177th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (6th round), the Montreal Canadiens selected right-shot defenseman Carlos Handel.

He played 52 games last season with the Halifax Mooseheads.

Carlos Handel Comments for the Very First Time on Joining the Montreal Canadiens

Let’s just say the young player is extremely happy and highly motivated to join the Canadiens.

Canadiens prospect Carlos Handel on his experience at the Montreal Canadiens’ development camp:

“Montreal is definitely great. The arena is huge, the fans are incredibly good and interact with the team. It’s like a big family.”

Via HabsOnReddit

We highly recommend the NHL article about Carlos Handel, as he certainly seems like an intriguing prospect.

Handel, 18 years old, is a 6-foot-1, 172-pound right-shot German defenseman who played in the QMJHL last season.

With the Mooseheads, he recorded 3 goals and 23 assists for a total of 26 points in 52 games.

He added four points in 10 playoff games.

Personally, I’m excited to see if he’ll be one of the Canadiens’ representatives at the next World Junior Championship (for Team Germany).