“There’s a Chance I Can Be Part of That”: Protz On Learning What It Means to Be a Hab
For Habs prospect Owen Protz, the road to becoming a Montreal Canadien is not about flash, point totals, or chasing highlights. It’s about identity. Responsibility. And understanding exactly what the crest on the front of the jersey represents, not just to the organization, but to an entire city that breathes hockey.
That realization hit him almost instantly, the moment he stepped onto the ice at the Bell Centre this September during the 2025-2026 NHL preseason for the Canadiens.
“It was unbelievable,” Protz said. “The first time I jumped on the ice… the whole Bell Centre, everybody’s going nuts. It’s surreal.”
For most young players, stepping onto NHL ice is overwhelming, even in pre-season, simply because of the speed and talent. In Montreal, the added layer is the weight of history and the intensity of the crowd. Protz felt that immediately. Every shift carried meaning. Every touch of the puck was met with noise.
What stood out most was how quickly the crowd reacted to the parts of the game that Protz values most. When he finished a check or separated a man from the puck, the building responded. That response reinforced something he had believed for a long time.
“When I made my first hit and heard the crowd go nuts, it was incredible,” he said. “It feels like everybody that’s ever supported you is screaming behind you.”
Montreal is not a market that only celebrates goals. It is a market that understands detail. Fans recognize defensive reads, physical engagement, and subtle positioning. For a player whose game is built on those exact traits, that recognition matters.
“There’s a significant appreciation for throwback defensemen,” he explained. “Every single detail is applauded at the Bell Centre, and I’m a detail-oriented guy in my defensive game. I think that goes hand in hand.”
That appreciation made the experience feel natural. Instead of feeling pressure to change his game, Protz felt encouraged to lean into it. He did not need to be something he was not.
A Different Kind of Training Camp
Protz’s first NHL training camp with the Canadiens was, by his own admission, intimidating. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft and stepping into an environment filled with established professionals, he felt the weight of being the new kid trying to find his place.
“Going into my first camp, I was nervous,” he said. “New kid, fourth round, never been to NHL camp. But the second year, I kind of felt more comfortable in my boots. It gives you that extra bit of motivation to not only perform, but to want to get back there one day for real.”
Coming into camp a little bigger, a little wiser, and noticeably hungrier allowed Protz to stand out, not by trying to do too much, but by leaning into his intimidating style, his physical edge, and his attention to detail in his own end.
One of the biggest adjustments came simply from being exposed to true NHL pace and physicality, where playing against seasoned pros leaves no margin for hesitation or half measures.
“When Gallagher’s coming down on you, there’s no soft boxing out,” Protz said. “He’s doing everything in his power to get to the net.”
Those moments forced Protz to raise his internal standard, understanding quickly that mistakes are not easily erased at the professional level. Every rep demanded full commitment, physical engagement, and mental sharpness.
“That environment really helped me,” he said. “You put yourself in a place where you have to be your best all the time.”
For a player like Protz, that environment was not intimidating, but rather something that lit a fire under him and pushed him to improve.
While surrounded by NHL talent at camp, Protz found himself paying close attention to one player in particular, not because of star power, but because of consistency and reliability.
“I was watching Kaiden Guhle,” Protz said. “He was incredible.”
Guhle represents the type of defenseman Montreal values, steady and consistent, playing within structure and rarely putting his team in bad positions.
“Just a solid defenseman,” Protz said. “You know what you’re going to get from him every shift.”
For Protz, that consistency is the goal, not to replicate Guhle’s game exactly, but to understand how trust is built at the NHL level. Beyond the ice, those interactions mattered just as much.
“He was super nice to me,” Protz said. “Just loves talking.”
Those conversations reinforced a message Protz heard repeatedly throughout camp.
“Stick to your identity,” he said. “Don’t try to do too much.”
That advice resonated deeply, reinforcing Protz’s belief that playing within his abilities and returning to the OHL ready to find another gear was essential if he wanted to remain part of the organization’s long-term plans.
Establishing Himself in Brantford
While his time in Montreal offered Protz a glimpse of what the future could hold, his real growth this season has taken place in Brantford. Returning to the OHL after training camp, Protz brought back a clearer understanding of pace, responsibility, and expectation. That clarity has translated directly into his game, where he has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable shutdown defensemen.
From the start of the season, Protz has played with greater control and patience. His reads are cleaner, his gaps tighter, and his physicality more purposeful. Rather than chasing plays, he anticipates them, using positioning and timing to eliminate threats before they develop.
“It’s better because I can focus on what I want to do,” Protz said. “I know that realistically looking at our team, we’ve got guys who can score. I can stick to my game and not have to go outside of it.”
That understanding has allowed Protz to simplify his approach. Brantford’s offensive depth means he does not need to force plays or push beyond his strengths. Instead, he can play to his identity and provide stability behind the attack.
“I can trust everybody else on our team to score,” he said. “So I don’t need to go end to end or try to force offense.”
A major factor in Protz’s success has been his pairing with Adam Jiricek. Together, they form one of the CHL’s most effective defensive duos, blending physical reliability with offensive skill.
“It’s fun for me knowing that I can trust my D partner like Adam to score goals,” Protz said. “And I’m happy knowing that he can rely on me to play defense too.”
Their chemistry is built on clearly defined roles. Jiricek’s confidence with the puck allows him to activate offensively, while Protz anchors the pair defensively, reading the play and providing coverage. That balance allows both players to excel without hesitation.
“The team can trust me to do my job,” Protz said. “And that’s really what it comes down to.”
Protz’s defensive awareness has taken a noticeable step forward this season. Lessons learned in Montreal have sharpened his ability to read developing plays, defend odd man rushes, and box out effectively in front of the net.
“Being able to see plays develop more in front of you is huge,” he said. “Playing odd man rushes, boxing guys out, cutting off lanes.”
Brantford’s success has also fostered a strong sense of accountability within the group. The Bulldogs entered the season with high expectations, and early results confirmed their potential.
“Everyone’s kind of bought in,” Protz said. “Guys are hanging out after games and practices. You get closer as a team.”
That cohesion translates directly to the ice, where trust allows players to commit fully to their roles.
“You can’t fight for your brothers if you don’t trust them,” he said.
Physicality remains central to Protz’s identity, but it has become more controlled and efficient. He focuses on separating man from puck and ending plays rather than chasing contact.
“Being physical will always be a part of my game,” Protz said. “It’s how I play.”
With Protz and Jiricek anchoring the blue line, Brantford plays with confidence and structure. The forwards attack knowing there is stability behind them, and the team continues to show it may still have another level to reach.
“We still have another gear,” Protz said.
With the way the Bulldogs have come together, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not just a strong regular-season team. The depth up front, stability on the back end, and consistency in goal have positioned Brantford as a legitimate OHL championship contender, with aspirations that extend well beyond league play.
As the season progresses and expectations continue to rise, the Bulldogs look like a group built not only to win now, but to challenge for a Memorial Cup when it matters most.
What It Means to Protz to Be a Canadien
For Protz, being a Montreal Canadien is not defined by draft position, preseason games, or social media attention, but by responsibility, history, and the understanding that wearing the Canadiens crest means representing far more than yourself.
When he reflects on the moment he was drafted, the significance still resonates.
“Getting the call that very first day from the draft was pretty amazing,” Protz said. “Just because the culture and the history of Montreal is unbelievable.”
That history carries weight, present in the banners hanging from the rafters, in the stories passed down through generations, and in the expectations that come with playing for one of the most storied franchises in sports. Protz understands that reality and embraces it rather than shrinking from it.
He also understands where the organization is headed. The Canadiens are building something with patience and purpose, and Protz sees the opportunity in being part of that process.
“They were in the rebuild stage and they’re getting back into it,” he said. “They’re soon to be contenders and they’re going to be contenders for the next couple of years.”
For Protz, the idea of contributing to that future is deeply motivating, and there is no sense of entitlement in his words, only appreciation for the possibility.
“There’s a chance,” he said. “It might not happen, but there’s a chance that I can be a part of that.”
That chance is what drives him through the long bus rides, the tough matchups, and the daily grind of development, giving meaning to every improvement and every lesson learned along the way.
“That makes me happy,” Protz said. “It brings a smile to my face knowing that I can be a part of a good, winning team and a team like Montreal.”
The connection with the fans is inseparable from that vision. Protz has already felt their support and understands how deeply invested they are in the players who wear the jersey.
“The fan base and the culture of Montreal and Quebec is incredible,” he said. “They’re so invested.”
Rather than feeling pressure, Protz views that investment as fuel, reinforcing his commitment to playing an honest, hard, detail-driven game that fans can trust.
For Owen Protz, being a Montreal Canadien is not about who he is today, but about who he is working to become, and with each step forward, he is building a game and a mindset that fit naturally within the expectations of the city he hopes one day to call home.