Despite the excitement surrounding the Montreal Canadiens’ return to the playoffs, the focus for many fans and analysts remains firmly on the team’s promising future—one built around a deep pool of talented young prospects.

Among those attracting significant attention is Sam Harris, a dynamic forward whose standout season with the University of Denver has only heightened expectations for his NHL potential. Yet, as the Canadiens look to build on their recent success, they’ll have to wait a little longer to see Harris make the jump to professional hockey. In a move that’s sure to spark debate among supporters, Harris has decided to return to the NCAA for another year, prioritizing his development and collegiate career over an immediate leap to the Canadiens organization.

While some may view this as a setback, others see it as a valuable opportunity for Harris to further refine his game before eventually bringing his skills to Montreal. As anticipation continues to build, all eyes will remain on Harris’s progress, with the hope that patience will ultimately pay off for both player and franchise.

Photo of Sam Harris

Photo credit: NHL

Even though the Montreal Canadiens just made the playoffs for the first time since 2021, there are still plenty of quality prospects in the pipeline.

That means there are still many young players to keep an eye on.

One of them is Sam Harris, whose season has just ended in the U.S. college ranks.

A fifth-round pick by the Canadiens in 2023, the forward had an excellent season, leading his team, the University of Denver, with 23 goals in 43 games. However, the team was eliminated in the semifinals of the NCAA national championship by Western Michigan, who went on to win the title.

But for those hoping to see this energetic 21-year-old left winger soon, you’ll have to be patient.

In an interview with TVA Sports, Sam Harris’ coach at the University of Denver, David Carle, confirmed that the player will be returning to the NCAA for the 2025-2026 season.

Sam Harris Turns His Back on the Montreal Canadiens Organization and Returns to the NCAA

This comes directly from his coach.

“To my knowledge, yes, it’s confirmed.”

– David Carle

Since he wasn’t part of the recent wave of college players signing their NHL entry-level contracts, it was expected that Harris would play another season at the college level.

Back in November, his coach had already praised his talent, and it’s possible we’ll one day see Sam Harris wearing a Canadiens jersey.

“His ability to play inside the faceoff dots is at a very high level.

Maybe the highest level we’ve seen here, with his net-front presence and his ability to create space in dangerous areas.

It’s a quality that definitely translates to the NHL, in my opinion.”

– David Carle

Note that the Canadiens hold Sam Harris’ rights until 2027, and if no agreement is reached by then, he will become an unrestricted free agent.