BREAKING: Filip Mesar denies being a bad team-mate with youngsters
When the Canadiens drafted Filip Mesar with their second first-round pick in 2022, they promptly assigned him to play in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers.
Mesar had a solid debut season, tallying 51 points in 52 games. The following season, he saw a slight increase in production with 52 points in 45 games, though it was not a significant improvement.
In a June interview with a Slovakian media outlet, Mesar expressed frustration, suggesting at times that his teammates may have lagged in their support, which could have impacted his performance.
This led to criticism portraying him as self-centered and quick to attribute his challenges to his teammates’ shortcomings.
However, Mesar recently attempted to clarify his remarks in an interview with Slovakian journalist Tomas Prokop of Dennik Sports.
People and players who know me understand that I'm not like that. I was the first to help if younger teammates were struggling. You shouldn't believe everything on the internet. I experienced what it was like to play with older players when I joined the A-team in Poprad as a…
— Tomáš Prokop (@Lewysko) July 16, 2024
In his recent interview with Tomas Prokop of Dennik Sports, Filip Mesar emphasized that those who know him understand he isn’t a selfish player. He defended himself by pointing out that he is often among the first to assist younger teammates when they need support.
Mesar also shared that he has firsthand experience playing alongside older players in Slovakia, which has shaped his understanding of team dynamics and leadership.
Looking ahead to the upcoming training camp with the Canadiens, Mesar expressed eagerness to prove himself. Despite being one of the youngest players, he emphasized the importance of respecting teammates of all ages.
Regarding past training camps, Mesar admitted disappointment at not cracking the lineup for the Laval Rocket in previous years. However, he remains optimistic about his chances this season, especially considering his age and progression. It would be a surprise if the Canadiens opted to send him back to the OHL at 20 years old.
This year, Mesar was not required to attend the development camp, allowing him to focus fully on his offseason training. Canadiens fans are eager to see how Mesar performs at this year’s training camp and his potential role with the Laval Rocket.